UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on significance of glaciers and challenges faced by rivers (Week 93)

QUESTION 1

Discuss the significance of glaciers in regulating Earth’s climate and providing freshwater resources. Examine the potential impacts of glacier retreat on global ecosystems.

QUESTION 2

What are the multifaceted significance of rivers in India’s socio-economic and cultural landscape? Discuss the stages of river landform development and analyse the current challenges faced by these vital water bodies.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: Discuss the significance of glaciers in regulating Earth’s climate and providing freshwater resources. Examine the potential impacts of glacier retreat on global ecosystems.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Glaciers, which are essentially vast and thick slabs of ice created on land by the accumulation of snow over decades, if not centuries, hold around 70% of the world’s freshwater supplies. However, glaciers are extremely susceptible to rising temperatures and are seen as key indicators of climate change.

— The melting of glaciers leads to global sea level rise and increases the risks to coastal populations.

— To promote awareness about the importance of conserving glacier health in a warming world, the United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation.

— March 21 is designated as the World Day of Glaciers. Tajikistan suggested this plan at the inaugural meeting of the Water and Climate Leaders on March 3, 2021, in their Call for Action, which was later endorsed by the UN General Assembly in December 2022.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

What are the impacts of melting glaciers?

— Glaciers, which are masses of ice and snow that move under gravity, are important sources of knowledge about our planet’s historical climate and environment.

— Glaciers are significant freshwater reservoirs, making them indispensable to the global water cycle and necessary for the survival of ecosystems and human societies. However, in other circumstances, glaciers’ continual retreat may result in the formation and extension of glacial lakes. These lakes will endanger downstream towns and infrastructure with glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

— Rising temperatures in polar regions may potentially accelerate the process of calving, which occurs when massive chunks of ice break off from glaciers, influencing glacier and ice sheet dynamics. This process damages localised ecosystems while also contributing to global sea level rise.

Conclusion:

— The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region has the highest concentration of snow and glaciers outside of the polar regions. As a result, it is known as the “Third Pole” of the world. The HKH is the source of ten major rivers, including the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra, and hence serves as South Asia’s freshwater tower. These rivers supply critical water resources for drinking, irrigation, energy generation, and other ecosystem services to about 1.3 billion people living in downstream areas.

— The Indian government has launched the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change. NMSHE studies the effects of climate change on the Himalayan ecology.

(Source: UN urges to save glaciers, secure the planet)

Points to Ponder

Melting of glaciers in Arctic and Antarctic

How does melting of glaciers impact human life?

Related Previous Year Questions

How do the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth? Explain. (2021)

How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India? (2020)

QUESTION 2: What are the multifaceted significance of rivers in India’s socio-economic and cultural landscape? Discuss the stages of river landform development and analyse the current challenges faced by these vital water bodies.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— India is endowed with several rivers that offer its people with resources for irrigation, industry, home use, hydroelectricity, transportation, fishing, fertile agricultural land, and so on. However, these rivers are confronting increasing issues, including pollution, flooding, water scarcity, and interstate disputes.

— The river interlinking project is an ambitious solution to such difficulties, connecting India’s major rivers to address regional water imbalances and increase water availability for agricultural and home usage.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

Stages of river landform development

Youth Stage

— During this stage, V-shaped valleys form, with valley deepening dominating over valley broadening. Fluvial erosion consists mostly of downcutting (valley deepening) and lateral erosion (valley broadening). Both of these are caused by solution/corrosion, abrasion, attrition, and hydraulic action.

Maturity Stage

— At this point, the river has achieved an equilibrium profile, with valley spreading taking precedence over valley deepening, resulting in a U-shape. The interstream split becomes ridge-shaped. Depositional features like as alluvial fans (for example, the Kosi River Fan) and cones can be seen as the river flows from the highlands to the plains. During this stage, meanders and oxbow lakes (such as Kanwar Lake) become prominent.

Old Stage

— The Ganga-Yamuna floodplains, for example, are characterised by the presence of fewer tributaries, the formation of large valleys with a gentle slope, and a decrease in the height of interstream areas. The river carries a finer load, and deposition becomes the dominating process.

Challenges faced by these vital water bodies

— India’s rivers suffer a number of challenges, including pollution, flooding, water scarcity, and interstate disputes. Pollution is mostly caused by the disposal of sewage, plastic, and municipal and industrial trash.

— Flooding is caused by both natural factors such as increasing rainfall due to climate change and human activity such as deforestation, expansion on floodplains, poor drainage, unexpected dam releases, and embankment failures.

— Water scarcity is mostly caused by monsoon fluctuations, and interstate water-sharing disputes emerge in river basins such as the Cauvery, Krishna, Godavari, and Narmada.

Conclusion:

— The government has implemented a variety of initiatives to address these challenges. To combat pollution and clean up waterways, initiatives such as the National River Conservation Plan and Namami Ganga were developed. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 was also passed to address pollution.

— The Flood Management Programme was launched during the 10th Plan to address flood-affected states’ difficulties through measures like drainage and embankment construction.

(Source: Why rivers, the lifeline of the nation, must flow)

Points to Ponder

Read about Jal Shakti Abhiyan

The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956

Read about the evolution of Himalayan and Peninsular rivers

Related Previous Year Questions

The groundwater potential of the Gangetic valley is on a serious decline. How may it affect the food security of India? (2024)

The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (2020)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 92)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 92)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 91)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 92)

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