THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 05 June 2020 (World Environment Day: India Inc must get water positive (Financial Express))

World Environment Day: India Inc must get water positive (Financial Express)

Mains Paper 3:Environment
Prelims level: World Water Day 2020
Mains level: Facing problems related to water resources

Context:

• Rising population and climate change have led to water becoming a scarce resource across the globe.
• The theme of World Water Day 2020 was centred on climate change to create a much-needed awareness about water and how the two are inextricably linked.
• World Environment Day 2020 aptly focuses on biodiversity, where water conservation plays an integral part.
• Vulnerable biodiversity needs to be adequately protected because co-existence of all species goes a long way in striking a balance in the ecosystem.

Facing problems related to water resources:

• NITI Aayog admits the country....................................................................................

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Improving water management capacity:

• India Inc should also shoulder a part of the water management responsibility.
• Optimisation of water usage for industrial purposes, deletion of obsolete process technology and deployment of the right recycling practices must all be part of their plan.
• Water resource administration is imperative for sustainable development. The two major resources required for any manufacturing activity are energy and water.
• However, the undesirable output of these inputs is pollution by way of contaminants.
• So, an industry`s sustainable growth plan must include cutting down on resource consumption and the prevention of negative environmental impact.
• One can also look at corporate water stewardship as an opportunity to identify water-linked business risks and understand its impact on the ecosystem.
• Indian firms will persist in using water as an important input in their manufacturing cycle.
• The challenge is how to achieve an equilibrium in the equation of need and yield, between input and output?
• How does a corporate attain a ‘Water Positive’ status that ties in with two seemingly disparate activities—consistent profit and sustainable development?

Walk the talk:

• India Inc. has no choice but ......................................................................................

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Use of technology to achieve sustainability:

• Here, the emphasis should be on the use of technology as a water conservation tool to achieve sustainability.
• One such method is the installation of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems.
• Ambuja Cement has introduced this as an extension of its technical services to customers and business associates in small towns through its off-line network and digital platforms.
• A meagre 100 cm rainfall annually on a 1000 square feet roof can provide a full year’s supply of water for drinking and cooking purposes for a family of five.

Modular Curing Solution:

• Another technological intervention that ....................................................................

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Way ahead:

• Like the mission to reduce carbon footprint, every corporate must also give equal importance to water management and resource growth as part of its sustainability plan.
• It involves evaluating the total volume of freshwater required for operations and then proactively cutting down that number, either by reducing wastage or by replenishment.
• Reducing water footprint and usage of freshwater in the production or supply of goods and services must be given top priority.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1)With reference to the agriculture sector, consider the following statements:
1. For the Kharif season 2020-21, the government has kept its promise of fixing the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) at a level of at least 1.5 times of the cost of production.
2. The agricultural short-term loan due between 1st March 2020 and 31stAugust 2020 will continue to get benefit of 2% Interest Subvention (IS) to Banks and 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) to farmers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C
Mains Questions:
Q.1)Highlights the emphasis of the use of technology as a water conservation tool to achieve sustainability.