Question

Consider the following statements
1. The water distribution on earth shows that most water in the Earth's atmosphere and crust comes from the world ocean's saline seawater, while freshwater accounts for only 2.5% of the total.
2.India is facing a fresh water crisis. India has just 4% of the world’s fresh water — but 16% of the global population.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• A. a) Only 1
  
• B. b) Only 2
  
• C. c) Both
  
• D. d) None
  

Answer 1

The correct option is C c) Both


Answer –c
Explanation: Fresh water makes up a very small fraction of all water on the planet. While nearly 70 percent of the world is covered by water, only 2.5 percent of it is fresh. The rest is saline and ocean-based. Even then, just 1 percent of our freshwater is easily accessible, with much of it trapped in glaciers and snowfields. In essence, only 0.007 percent of the planet's water is available to fuel and feed its 6.8 billion people. India is facing a fresh water crisis. India has just 4% of the world’s fresh water — but 16% of the global population. 76 million are without access to safe drinking water. 21% of country’s diseases are water related. Over 329, 000 children under five die due to diarrhoea in India in 2015. Across India as a whole, it is estimated that women spend 150 million work days every year fetching and carrying, equivalent to a national loss of income of INR 10 billion/ 160 million USD3. The total potential area to be brought under the micro irrigation (drip and sprinkler) in India is 42.2 million hectare of land, however only 3.9 million hectare of land or 9.2% of the potential is currently under micro irrigation