Anna University Chennai 2007 B.Sc Agriculture BCS III –English I - Question Paper

PART - B (5 x 16 = 80 marks)

11. Read the text and ans the ques. that follow:

According to the Chairman of the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), the issues related to water depletion and pollution are widespread and serious. “The 1st is the depletion of the groundwater sources in the country, because the demand is increasing and the surface water sources are fully committed. The 2nd issue we are facing is the pollution issue. Because of industrial pollution, a lot of areas have been affected, and there is natural pollution also – high fluorides, high arsenic, high iron”. At current more than 50 percent of the water requirements are met with only groundwater.

various parts of the country have uneven utilisation and various issues. In the canal-fed north there is trouble from water logging. On the coast there is influx of saline water into the aquifer. We have a country stretching from the desert areas to the snow covered mountains. The coastal area production is becoming a different problem, because most of the industries have shifted to the coastal area and are utilising the groundwater, with the outcome that even the good drinking water – potable, safe drinking water – is not available to the poor in cities there”.

It is not the lack of water so much as geographic distribution that poses issues. Water sources are plenty, but the cost to harness them will be very heavy. India is a little various from other countries. When the Himalayas were lifted, a crust was formed that very soon got filled up with water. Up to 2, 500 metres, it is full of water. But our southern states do not have the advantage. So this is the right time to begin with conservation, with artificial recharging of the system or whatever else is available.

Pollution laws must be enforced and people educated about the seriousness of the situation. The Supreme Court has already provided guidelines that all effluent to be discharged should be treated up to a certain standard so that groundwater doesn’t get polluted. Many industries are still discharging untreated effluent. Stringent punishments should be inflicted on such people. So the legal regulations needs to be very strict in handling such a situation.

Taking measures against industry is possible, but taking measures against private individuals is more difficult. CGWA is organising many awareness programmes going to the common man with literature in the local language, just to make people understand how serious the issue is. The info is accessible to anyone who wants it. They are also trying to put all the info on the Internet so that anyone can download the info from the web site.

Earning:   Approval pending.