Home › PYQs › Environment › All questions › 2012 · National Water Mission
UPSC Prelims 2012 · Environment · Rules for the Planet
If National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, how will it impact the country? Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- Part of the water needs of urban areas will be met through recycling of wastewater.
- The water requirements of coastal cities with inadequate alternative sources of water will be met by adopting appropriate technologies that allow for the use of ocean water.
- All the rivers of Himalayan origin will be linked to the rivers of peninsular India.
- The expenses incurred by farmers for digging borewells and for installing motors and pump-sets to draw ground water will be completely reimbursed by the Government.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Wastewater recycling and desalination are NWM measures.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ YES The mission promotes recycling of wastewater to meet urban needs.
2. ✓ YES It promotes desalination for coastal cities short of water.
3. ✗ NO River interlinking is a separate programme, not part of the NWM.
4. ✗ NO There is no promise to fully reimburse farmers’ borewell costs — the mission aims to cut groundwater overuse.
The idea
The National Water Mission is about using the water we have more carefully. Its headline target is to raise water-use efficiency by 20%. It is not a construction programme and it gives no blanket subsidy.
Put water data in the public domain → Promote conservation by citizens and States → Focus on over-exploited areas → Raise water-use efficiency by 20% → Plan water basin by basin
The trap
River-linking is India’s big water idea, so it feels part of any water mission.
Elimination technique
Statement 3 says “all the rivers” and statement 4 says “completely reimbursed”. Absolute words usually mark the false statement in Environment PYQs. Dropping both leaves only (a) and (b).
Also know
Recycling of wastewater and desalination of sea water are named in the mission as ways to meet urban demand. River interlinking is a separate programme under the National Perspective Plan, studied by the National Water Development Agency. The first link under it is Ken–Betwa.
🔒 NWM (NAPCC): +20% water-use efficiency; recycling, desalination, groundwater regulation.