GS Paper - I Model Answers (2018) - 2 | UPSC Mains Answer Writing: Practice PDF Download

Q7: What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem? (UPSC GS1 2018)
Ans: Dead zones are low-oxygen, or hypoxic, areas in the world’s oceans and lakes. Because most organisms need oxygen to live, few organisms can survive in hypoxic conditions. That is why these areas are called dead zones. Dead zones in the coastal oceans have spread exponentially since the 1960s and have serious consequences for ecosystem functioning.
Effects of dead zones on marine ecosystem: 

• An ocean dead zone is an invisible trap that there is no escaping from for marine life. Fish can’t detect dead zones before entering the areas. Unfortunately, once fish wander into a dead zone, it’s hard to escape and survive. The oxygen shortage causes the fish to lose consciousness and die shortly after. Other sea dwellers, such as lobsters and clams, are also unable to get away because they naturally move slowly. 
• Fish suffer greatly from dead zones because the extreme changes in the oxygen level changes their entire biology. Their organs become smaller, meaning they can’t reproduce or function in the necessary ways that allow them to flourish. The females are unable to produce as many eggs and the males can’t properly impregnate the females to keep the species alive. 
• By depriving organisms of sunlight and oxygen, algal blooms negatively impact a variety of species that live below the water’s surface. The number and diversity of benthic, or bottom-dwelling, species are especially reduced.  
• The less biodiversity that exist underwater, the more the balance of the entire ocean is disrupted. This also leads to economic instability for local fisherman. 
• Elevated nutrient levels and algal blooms can also cause problems in drinking water in communities nearby and upstream from dead zones. Harmful algal blooms release toxins that contaminate drinking water, causing illnesses for animals and humans. 
• Algal blooms can also lead to the death of shore birds that rely on the marine ecosystem for food. Wading birds, such as herons, and mammals, such as sea lions, depend on fish for survival. With fewer fish beneath algal blooms, these animals lose an important food source.  Scientists have identified 415 dead zones worldwide. 
• Conservation of the marine ecosystem is crucial for its survival and its success hinges on the collaborative spirit of cities, farmers, agri-business and policy makers to embrace science-based solutions, both on the ground and at the policy level. 
• By following these simple methods of keeping the environment clean and keeping communities aware of methods of industrial practices used by factories, we can ultimately draw an end to dead zones and provide a better environment for the ocean, animals and people that live in these areas.

Q8: “Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (UPSC GS1 2018)
Ans: Textually, Caste system is a hierarchical, regressive institution where individuals are ascribed social positions, powers, access to important social resources (like education, jobs) differentially from their being part of a certain caste grouping. Be it Brahmins, Kshtriyas or Vaishyas etc. there are many castes and sub-castes in India. 

• Prevalence of Khap Panchayat, demand for caste based reservations (as in Patel, Jat agitation), political parties giving tickets based on castes (Ex: Akali dal), Ccste based political mobilisation like Bahujan Samaj Party and Coalition-Politics (Ex: Alliance btw Congress and JDS in Karnataka elections), Regional caste associations like Dalit Mandals, Fragmented Habitations /Colonies in urban areas where dalits, lowers caste reside ——examples which show that caste in India assuming new identities and forms Regressive attributes of Caste system: Dowry, caste conflict, child marriage, jajmani inter-caste relationship, patriarchy and its impact on women and children, purdah and restriction on sexuality of women, authoritarianism classification of work and social life as pure/impure. 

Before it assuming new identities and forms one has understand the reasons for its perpetuation, rigidity and its all pervasiveness 

• Slow Economic Growth and increasing population during medieval times and 19th C resulted in resourcescarcity. This led to exclusive control of important resources by upper caste to reduce competition 
• Lack of Modern Education based on science, rationalism and more emphasis on literature, religion, law. 
• Lack of a Modern Secular State with Rule of law, Political and Social rights to citizens. 
• Lack of Physical and Social infrastructure that could create employment, integration, collective mobilisation. This would have contributed for upward social mobility, breaks the old social relationships and forms new identities. Western societies have through socio-economic changes have replaced old social institutions, relationships through modern institutions. 

However Post independent India with: 

• Modern Constitution, idea of individual-civil rights, social legislations like “Right to Education”, Dowry, Sati acts, New Industrial Policy Resolutions, Representation of People’s act disallowing political parties to ask votes based on Caste gives freedom for choice of occupation, mobility, migration and participation. 
• Modern Infrastructure and facilities, public places are open to all irrespective of caste promotes secularism in public place. 
• Public and private employment is equally open to all based on merit and not on social positions Despite these changes, caste appears to be taking new forms, transforming, reviving itself to make itself relevant in modern political and secular Indian society than altogether disappearing. 
• Reasons for its prevalence and new forms: Today caste system has transformed into Political Pressure group (vote banks), Cooperative, educational to protect, promote their interest unlike a closet, controlled, power group of the earlier times. This is because Indian secularism doesn’t disengage completely with caste but recognises all equally and intervenes for social upliftment ex: Art 15, Art 16(4b), Art 17. 
• Hence protecting their identity serves their sociopolitical interests Reservation on basis of caste and unequal growth between regions, community and groups has resulted in a sense of relative deprivation in excluded groups making caste mobilisation, identification more relevant. Modern society is changing too fast and getting instrumental, bureaucratic, and uncertain that people want some emotional bonding to identify themselves which Caste provides. 
• When rural workers migrate, they tend to look for people from their caste who can help them, strengthening caste groupings. Marriage within caste is most preferred through Gotra Caste like many traditions has origin in supernatural belief. Science hasn’t answered the uncertain phenomena’s of universe (big bang theory). This reinforces peoples beliefs in caste. This explains why HigsBason is called “God Particle”. 
• Modernuncertainties sudden shocks like landslides, tsunami, earthquake, rapid economic slump, Job loss, lifestyle disease feel the want of emotional wellbeing which the caste community provides. Caste groups provide subsidy, scholarships for higher education among their communities.
• Caste institutions today has proliferated into various institutions like Educational Institutions, Political system, pressure groups, Grass-root community groups like Self-help groups etc where they have changed their earlier role of stratification, control, closet community to economic mobilisation for the purpose of development(both qualitative and quantitative).
• However some aberrations in the form of Hate-speeches, Dalit violence (as in Bhima-Karegoen), caste conflicts (ex: Lynching of dalits, honour killings) castisation of politics and politicisation of caste are becoming more menacing. In India people attach their caste identity with their names as in Aggarwal, Gowdas etc. to identify and ensure that society identify their social positions all the while ensuring that they act secular in their public interaction.
• Lower caste still prefers to identify with word “Dalit” than Scheduled caste to manifest their identity and reassertion. Hence caste may not be eliminated rather will evolve to suit the times making it immortal Indian legacy.

Q9: ‘Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing’. Explain by giving reasons. (UPSC GS1 2018)
Ans: Poverty is a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. From “garibihatao”, to Reservations to Rozgharyojana to Skill Training to Priority Sector Lending to SelfHelp Grouping to Targeted Subsidies Indian public debates ,political mobilisation have been centred around “POVERTY ALLEVIATION”. Yet today as Per Committee reports namely Rangarajan and Tendulkar reports poverty rate ,its reduction and its spread and prospect of its reduction in near future isn’t encouraging.
Reasons: 

• It is multi-dimensional menace which needs convergence, synergy from all level of institutions which we lack today. 
• Poverty has certain behaviaral attributes—“culture of poverty”—relatively high rate of abandonment of wife and children ,strong feeling of marginality, of helplessness, of dependency, absence of childhood as a specially prolonged and protected stage in the life-cycle, early initiation into sex, free unions or consensual marriages, a tend toward female or mother-centered families, a strong predisposition toward authoritarianism, lack of privacy, verbal emphasis upon family solidarity which is only rarely achieved, Child Marriage, Trafficking, short time gratification, sex as the only source of entertainment, high rate of juvenile delinquency——These have not been suitably into policy convergence. 
• Sudden Social and Economic shock of Industrial society---Climate change, Jobless growth, high inflation/ commodity products World Development Report 2017 highlights India’s lagging in encashing Digital dividend resulting in which it calls “Digital Divide” (poor not able to reap benefits of Digital Technologies). 
• Way forward: Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 should be completed, National Citizen Registry like it’s done in Assam recently should be carried for all India, Formalisation of informal workforce through transferring social benefits like pension, insurance etc. Digital literacy and mohalla healthcare as in Delhi and PMBJP yojana, Swatch Bharat Abhiyan, Poshan Abhiyan, Greater convergence and transparency in governance so poor can demand what services they are entitled to, Enactment of Right to Public Delivery of Services Act, Citizen’s charter, using innovative solutions like waste-to-money models as in Kolkata, revitalising Indian Civil Society including Media (print and Broadcast) encouraging decentralised, local based solutions.
• Making new products of technology, Public Transport accessible to disabled (Braille friendly Currency notes, ATMs, Buses) Cost of access to Justice at all levels should be made accessible through use of E-courts, gramnyayalas, special courts and revitalise the instrument of PILs for greater good of poor.
• Corporate Social Responsibility of adopting villages as by Digi-goan by ICICI, recognising Environmental, Mineral, land Rights of Vulnerable specially tribals, farmers. Flagging problems in their early stage. Universalising higher education and tertairy healthcare, Mid-day meals not only to School-Going Children but to Senior Citizens etc, financial sector reforms in micro-insurance during disaster management.
• Disaster and related hazards impact the poor and increase their vulnerability hence inclusive policies should take into account land-use pattern, planned urbanisation etc. into account.

Q10: How the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss.  (UPSC GS1 2018)
Ans: Secularism, as a political concept evolved post French Revolution and has been adopted, cherished as dominant ideology in most modern nation states of the 20th century. It means separation of state, institutions of governance from the religious activities, either by following, preaching and enforcing. This is largely synonymous with the idea of liberty and freedom of thinking. 

• State shall not preach any religious instructions using public funds. Thus, one of the major difference between Indian and western concept of secularism is that while western concept of secularism maintenances complete separation between government and religion, Indian secularism encourages government to keep equal distance from all religion. Indian government support all religion equally. 
• Western concept evolved due to their hatred-ness towards the church. Moreover, since the majority were Christians, challenge of co-existence didn’t pose a serious challenge. Indian concept of secularism should be understood in the context of cultural diversity, dominance of hindu majority groups, past experience of unique cultural co-existence with tolerance, pre-dominance of religion in the life of citizens and above all need for reform within the religion. This unique desire and direction to embrace such secularism can be traced back to national freedom struggle.
• Prominent leaders like M.G Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Swami Vivekananda worked for reformation of religion, its regressive institutions like untouchability, sati, Purdah than completely embracing western concept of “secularism”. Though, Constitution of India doesn’t define secularism it is can be understood from the rights(in Constitution) and other legislative, judicial decisions that have followed. Post Independence, Art 25-30 provides for every citizen to protect, promote, and practice his/her religion.
• In doing so, it empowers state to put “reasonable restriction” in the interest of Public health, morality and public order. Under Art 17 ban on Untouchability and Art 14 (forcing all public authorities to treat all citizens equally) and Prevents discrimination based only on religion, caste, race etc. 
• This prevents misutilisation of power for pursuance of sectoral interests. Dowry Prohibition Act, Hindu succession act 1956,Child Marriage Prohibition act with recent nullification by Supreme Court of Provisions of The Shariat Act (Triple talaq), IPC section 497 etc strike at the heart of regressive religious practices for the purpose of social and individual welfare. 
• Indian secularism therefore imbibes concept of equal treatment of all religion,promote tolerance among them,initiate reform and enable continuity and change of the institutions. It is for this reason that today state subsidy for Haj pilgrimage, Organisation of Amarnathyatra, preaching all religious texts in state sponsored public schools, undertaking de-radicalistion programs in minority institutions among many other initiatives.
• Despite being one of the largest Muslim populated countries, ISIS and other radical organisation have failed to woo Indians into their fold that the cultural-mixing has been evolving so uniquely that Indian has been recognised as the micro-cosm of the world society.

Q11: The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. (UPSC GS1 2018)
Ans: Bhakti movement is an important landmark in the cultural history of the medieval India which was brought about by a galaxy of socio-religious reformers. Bhakti symbolised the complete surrender of one’s self to God. The main features of the movement were unity of God or one God though known by different names, intense love and devotion the only way to salvation, repetition of the True Name and self-surrender.

• This movement was responsible for many rites and rituals associated with the worship of God by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs of Indian subcontinent. For example, Kirtan at a Hindu temple, Qawaali at a Dargah and singing of Gurbani at a Gurdwara are all derived from the Bhakti movement of medieval India.
• The movement had profound influence on the socio-cultural milieu of the Indian subcontinent. The social base of the bhakti saints ranged from the low castes such as Kabir to the high castes such as Chaitanya Mahaprabu.
• Chaitanya (1486-1533) the eastern bhakti poet worshipped the cult of Radha Krishns. Chaitanya was influenced by the doctrines of Nimbikara, Vishnuswami, poetry of Jayadeva and Vidyapala. He believed in the philosophy of sravan and Kirtana as the highest form of devotion to lord. The influence of Chaitanya movement on the overall bhakti movement is immense as he introduced some new elements into the bhakti movement and reorients the bhakti cult in north India. 

Some of the aspects which were introduced through the Chaitanya movement in the Bhakti movement at larger scale are underlined below:

• Systematic propagation of bhakti theology: On the request of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu his selected six disciples called Goswamis started systematically present the theology of Bhakti. This was revolutionary within the bhakti movement as it was not known so far on wider scale. The propagation of bhakti ideas far and wide became instrumental in spreading the message of Chaitanya movement across the north east parts of India and had ripple effect on the other sects.
• Wider social base: Unlike most of bhakti saints, Chaitanya’s associates range from the higher caste to lower castes. His association with Acharyas made his doctrines acceptable to a wider population and later his teaching were spread by the higher and lower caste people alike. The cult of teaching doctrines introduced by Chaitanya in Gaudiya Vaishnivism was later popularised by many followers who were teachers in their own right. 
• Propagating bhakti within existing social structure: Chaitanya propagated his without relinquishing the caste identity. But he accepted the lower caste people as his devotees. This was unique as most of the bhakti saints relinquished existing hierarchies and rigidities. Yet Chaitanya cult became popular among all the people including some Muslim followers. It was because of the emphasis on the purity of thought and action which Chaitanya has emphasised in his teachings and thoughts. 
• Chanting the best means to realise God: Since the inception of Chaitanya movement, a favourite and characteristic form of worship was group singing known as kirtan. It consists of singing of simple hymns and the repetition of Krishna’s name accompanied by sounding of a drum and cymbals and by a rhythmic swaying of the body that continued for several hours and usually resulted in states of religious exaltation. This has profound influence on the later developments in worship in Hindu temples. It became an important ritual in the temples of north India. The concept was that the chanting the name of God brings the devotee closer to Him. This concept was to some extent similar to that of Sama, a Sufi tradition of exalting and chanting the name of to feel his presence. Thus it is no wonder that kirtan and Sama attracted the bhakti devotees of Hindus and Muslims towards each other’s traditions and formed the basis for composite culture. 
• Voice of oppressed: Chaitanya though belonging to higher caste became the voice of the oppressed lower trodden. He confronted even his own high caste followers in order to bridge the gap between the low and high. He became the bridge to reduce the social tensions in eastern India. His highly venerated disciples included Rupa, Santana and Jiva, all of whomwere marginalised either untouchables or stigmatised in society.

Conclusion

• Chaitanya movement is a corner stone of Vaishnavism movements that happened in the northeast after 16th century. In fact it is rightly called the first renaissance movement in Bengal. It transverse the caste barriers at the same time kept the social structures within the order. It provided a means to bridge the gap between the upper and the lower castes rather than relinquishing the social identities altogether.
• The movement didn’t prohibit the idol worship which became an integral part of the temple worship of the later times. The movement inspired many generations to teach the rightful gospel of Chaitanya which was based on love and devotion to God.
• The movement was successful in re-orienting the bhakti movement by creating a missionary to spread the bhakti ideas, reducing social tensions by emphasising on peaceful coexistence and by emphasising Sankirtana, chanting name of God as a means to come near to God.
• The movement has subtle influence on the nationalist leaders of Bengal such as Vivek Ananda, Aurbindo Ghosh and many others. The cultural and social life of Bengal in particular and north east India in general resonated many of the ideas and influences of the Chaitanya movement who is even venerated as an incarnation of Krishna and being worshipped in many parts of this region.

Q12: Discuss whether formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India.
Ans: Reorganisation of states has been one of the most contentious issues since the Independence of India. Besides political bargains, creation of new states has attracted the attention of policy makers and intellectuals who hold divergent views regarding the formation of smaller states. The best way to analyse whether the new states have ushered in economic growth and development of the country would be through underscoring the performance of recently created states of Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh carved out of Bihar, UP and Madhya Pradesh respectively on the basis of economic development and good governance.

Arguments in favour of newer states as boon for economic development:

• The Economic Survey 2016-17 stated that smaller states in India trade more than the rest. New states offered better and efficient administration which leads to creation of infrastructure strengthening the connectivity in the area, expand its access to market and boost trade for the overall economy of the country.
• People of the region gain control over its resources and an organic model of growth can emerge to address their economic aspirations.
• Political stability that arises from better representation of people creates conducive environment for investment in the region. Thereby encouraging regional economic development.
• After the creation of new states- there is marked increase in economic activity immediately across the border in the new states as per their findings. School enrolment also increased suggesting greater investment in human capital.
• Durable goods remained comparable across the two sides of the state border, suggesting that free movement of labour and capital can mitigate differences in economic opportunities across proximate geographies. The results provide new evidence that institutions matter for development, and local control of institutions can have large economic impacts.
• The findings underlined that the new states are growing faster than the old states; by 2008 the difference between economic activity in old and new states is no longer statistically significant, and the gap continues to close until the end of the data in 2013. The findings suggest that new state borders have 25% more economic activity than the parent state.
• Given the greater social heterogeneity of India, there should be higher number of states. When there are too many diverse groups in a large state, conflict emerge. And instead of public-good provisioning, redistribution of resources among regions becomes the central political issue. In other words when the diversity effects becomes greater than the scale effect, there is an economic case for a new state.
• In the case of the three new states mentioned above culture or ethnic factors were added as instrumental factors for mobilisation but arguably, decades of underdevelopment was the driving force behind the movement.

Some issues and concerns:

• While analysing the socio-economic development of the new states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand, there is a contrary opinion as well. Uttarakhand continues to be at the end in the Human Development Index. The recent floods showed the inability of the state to deal with rehabilitation of the displaced residents.
• Chhattisgarh has witnessed largest tribal displacement in the recent times. The inclusive economic development is far from the reach of the state giving the increased miserable conditions of the tribal and their forceful displacement.
• Jharkhand has failed from the governance and administrative perspective and became state of coal scams and corrupt practices.
• Telangana recently carved out from the state of Andhra Pradesh is heavily relying on the central grants to pay for its newly created administrative and institutional machineries.
• To catch up with the growth trajectory of the other states, the above mentioned states started unmindful exploitation of resources such as mining of the minerals, converting agricultural land into real-estate which is not sustainable as far the economy of the country is concerned in the long run.
• Small states do not generate enough revenue for the state, thus are heavily dependent on the central assistance. Creation of new states means establishing new administrative machineries and new institutions which leads to increased revenue expenditure in turn puts pressure on fiscal pressures for the government.

Evidence shows that both large and small states have fared well and that poor performance is not necessarily linked to size. In fact, today, technology can help make governing larger territories easier and bring even far- flung areas closer. Recently formed state Telangana has continuously been among the top ranks in the list of ease of doing business in the country, since its formation. Creation of new states offer possibilities of having better governance structure, greater participation for people, administrative convenience for the State and equitable distribution of resources. Regional development strengthens the equitable and symmetric growth of India.

Q13. Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to other colonies ? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there ? 
Ans: Indentured labour was a system of bonded labour that emerged following the abolition of slavery. Indentured labourers were recruited to work under a restrictive contract of employment for a fixed period in a foreign country in exchange for payment of passage, accommodation, and food. In the case of British India, indentured labourers were taken to various British colonies as a source of cheap and mobile labour.

Reasons for the use of indentured labour by the British included:

• Industrial demand: The industrialisation of Britain, followed by other European countries, accelerated the flow of trade, labour, and capital across the world, creating a need for cheap labour in the colonies.
• Cheap source of labour: After the abolition of slavery, Indian indentured labourers provided a cheap source of labour to the government.
• Freed slaves refused to work for low wages: Plantation owners in colonies that had imported Indian workers had a large number of freed slaves who refused to work for low wages, making importing indentured labour a viable option.

Regarding the preservation of cultural identity of Indian indentured labourers in the colonies, the situation varied depending on the location and time period. However, some general observations can be made:

• In some cases, Indian indentured labourers were able to preserve their cultural identity through the maintenance of their traditions, language, religion, and food. For example, Indian workers in Trinidad and Tobago established a vibrant Indian community that has continued to this day. copyright©iasexpress.net
• In other cases, indentured labourers faced pressure to assimilate into the dominant culture of their new home, leading to the loss of their cultural identity.
• Over time, the descendants of Indian indentured labourers have formed their own unique identities, blending Indian culture with local customs and traditions.

In conclusion, the use of indentured labour by the British in their colonies was motivated by the need for cheap and mobile labour. The preservation of cultural identity of Indian indentured labourers varied depending on location and time period, with some communities maintaining their traditions while others assimilated into the dominant culture of their new home. However, the descendants of Indian indentured labourers have formed their own unique identities, blending Indian culture with local customs and traditions.

Q14: “The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system.” How can it be made effective in urban areas?  (UPSC GS1 2018)
Ans: Excess extraction of groundwater is to blame for the 61% decline in groundwater level in wells in India between 2007 and 2017; according to the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) .Urban centres in India are specifically facing an ironical situation today. On one hand there is the acute water scarcity and on the other, the streets are often flooded during the monsoons. This has led to serious problems with quality and quantityof groundwater. Because of short duration of heavy rain, most of the rain falling on the surface tends to flow away rapidly leaving very little for recharge of groundwater. Most of the traditional water harvesting systems in cities have been neglected and fallen into disuse, worsening the urban water scenario. One of the solutions to the urban water crisis is rainwater harvesting - capturing the runoff.
Water harvesting as solution to depleting ground water resources in India: 

• Rain water available from rooftop of building, paved and unpaved areas needs to be harvested. 
• Water spreading: Means diverting or collecting runoff from natural channels, gullies, or streams with a system of dams, dikes, ditches, or other means, and spreading it over a relatively flat area. 
• Rooftop collection of rainwater: Rooftop Rain Water Harvesting is the technique through which rain water is captured from the roof catchments and stored in reservoirs. Harvested rain water can be stored in sub-surface ground water reservoir by adopting artificial recharge techniques to meet the household needs through storage in tanks. 
• Applying the Sponge City concept: It indicates a particular type of city that does not act like an impermeable system not allowing any water to filter through the ground, but, more like a sponge actually absorbs the rain water, which is then naturally filtered by the soil and allowed to reach into the urban aquifers. This allows for the extraction of water from the ground through urban or peri-urban wells. This water can be easily treated and used for the city water supply. 
• Recharge pit: In alluvial areas where permeable rocks are exposed on the land surface or are located at very shallow depth, rain water harvesting can be done through recharge pits. The technique is suitable for buildings having a roof area of 100 sq.m. These are constructed for recharging the shallow aquifers. 
• Recharge trench: Recharge trenches are suitable for buildings having roof area of 200-300 sq. m. and where permeable strata are available at shallow depths. 
• Tube wells: In areas where the shallow aquifers have dried up and existing tubewells are tapping deeper aquifer, rain water harvesting through existing tubewell can be adopted to recharge the deeper aquifer 
• Trench with recharge well: In areas where the surface soil is impervious and large quantities of roof water or surface runoff is available within a very short period of heavy rainfall, the use of trench/ pits is made to store the water in a filter media and subsequently recharge to ground water through specially constructed recharge wells. This technique is ideally suited for area where permeable horizon is within 3m below ground level. 
• Ground water exploitation is inevitable is Urban areas. But the groundwater potential is getting reduced due to urbanisation resulting in over exploitation. Hence, a strategy to implement the groundwater recharge, in a major way need to be launched with concerted efforts by various Governmental and Non-Governmental Agencies and Public at large to build up the water table and make the groundwater resource, a reliable and sustainable source for supplementing water supply needs of the urban dwellers.