Question

Water availability per person in India is declining. State whether the given statement is true or false. If true, give the reasons.

Answer 1

Answer: The given statement is true. The availability of water per person has been decreasing due to various reasons and one of the reasons is massive growth in population.

• Shortages in fresh water supply are prevalent in parts of South America, north-west Mexico, South Asia, West Asia, most of Africa, and all of Australia.
• Great problems of water scarcity are found in countries located in climatic zones most susceptible to droughts.
• Access to adequate and clean water sources is a big problem that is prevalent in many parts of the world.
• Two-thirds of the earth’s surface is covered by oceans.
• The ocean water is not fit for human consumption as it is high in saline content.
• Freshwater accounts for only about 2.7 percent.
• Around 70 percent of the freshwater is found in glaciers and ice sheets in Antarctica, Greenland and mountainous regions.
• Only 1% of freshwater is fit for human consumption.
• It is found in lakes, rivers, groundwater and as water vapour in the atmosphere.
• Measures must be taken to conserve this reducing resource.
• Although water is a renewable resource, the pollution of water and its overuse makes it unsuitable for consumption.