Question

Identify and list arguments that would support or oppose use of groundwater in various contexts such as agriculture, industry etc.

Answer 1

1. Groundwater is the major source of drinking water in both urban and rural India. 
2.  It is also an important source of water for the agricultural, industrial and other sectors. 

The arguments that would support the usage of underground water are:

1. The underground water is both an important input for manufacturing and industrial sectors and used as cool for machines. 
2. These include higher productivity and its more equitable distribution among various classes of farmers, insurance against drought and stabilisation of agricultural production and enhanced employment generation.

The arguments that would oppose the usage of underground water: 

1. India is the world’s largest groundwater user in terms of both absolute volumes pumped and the total number of users. 
2.  It led to decline groundwater levels and sea water intrusion in coastal areas.
3. Industrial waste is largely responsible for high level of pollutants found in groundwater.