The Hindu Editorial Summary

Editorial Topic : Understanding Maharashtra’s Water Crisis

 GS-2 Mains Exam : Polity

Revision Notes

Question : Analyze the impact of the rain shadow effect of the Western Ghats on the water crisis in Marathwada. How has climate change exacerbated this situation?

Context

• Deficient monsoon and drought declaration across Maharashtra.
• Water scarcity impacting wells, irrigation, and drinking water supplies.

Rainshadow Effect and Marathwada

• Marathwada’s location: rain shadow region of the Western Ghats.
  • Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall (2000-4000 mm) due to moisture-laden winds.
  • Winds lose moisture crossing the Ghats, leaving Marathwada dry (600-800 mm).
• Climate change worsens situation: increasing drought severity and frequency.
• Marathwada and North Karnataka: second driest regions in India (after Rajasthan).

Impact on Agriculture

• Mismatch between Marathwada’s rainfall and agricultural practices.
• Sugarcane cultivation: a major contributor to water crisis.
  • Requires high water usage (1500-2500 mm) compared to pulses/millets (4-5 irrigations).
  • Area under sugarcane cultivation has steadily increased.
  • Sugarcane occupies 4% of the land but consumes 61% of irrigation water.
  • Reduced river outflow in the upper Bhima basin due to sugarcane irrigation.
• Government support for sugarcane production incentivizes water-intensive practices.
• Promotion of sugarcane-juice-based ethanol production raises concerns in water-starved areas (82% of Maharashtra’s sugar comes from low-rainfall regions).
• Maharashtra Water and Irrigation Commission (1999) recommended banning sugarcane in low-rainfall areas (<1000 mm), but production has increased.

 

Soil Properties

• Marathwada’s black soil (“regur”) is fertile and retains moisture well.
• However, it has a low infiltration rate: rainwater runs off or becomes stagnant instead of replenishing groundwater.
• This is why Maharashtra has the most large dams (1,845) in India to capture runoff.
• The soil also has low hydraulic conductivity, holding onto water for a long time after rains.

Uneven Water Distribution

• Water scarcity varies within Marathwada.
• Tributaries of Godavari and Krishna rivers flow through valleys with perennial groundwater.
• Uplands have seasonal groundwater due to slow underground movement from higher areas.
• Wells in uplands dry up quickly after monsoons, facing the most severe water scarcity.

Solutions

• Supply-side solutions:
  • Watershed management practices like building water-conserving structures (trenches, bunds, etc.).
  • Utilize Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme funds for designing silt traps and training farmers on desilting these structures. Rainwater runoff carries soil particles that clog these structures.
• Demand-side management:
  • Promote water-efficient irrigation methods.
  • Cultivate drought-resistant crops.
  • Diversify livelihoods beyond agriculture.
• Shifting Cultivation Patterns:
  • Marathwada should adopt high-value, low-water-intensive crops.
  • Sugarcane production should shift to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal with higher rainfall.

 

 

The Hindu Editorial Summary

Editorial Topic : Why India Needs a National Security Strategy (NSS)

 GS-3 Mains Exam : Security

Revision Notes

Question : Evaluate the benefits of implementing a National Security Strategy in India. How can an NSS contribute to a comprehensive strategic assessment of threats and opportunities?

Context

• New Indian government faces national security challenges.
• Decisions needed on issues like aircraft carriers, theaterization, and relations with US and China.

Why India Needs a National Security Strategy

• Addressing Strategic Risks:
  • The world presents complex challenges like climate change, pandemics, and China’s rise.
  • India can’t afford a reactive approach and needs a proactive strategy.
• Benefits of a National Security Strategy

1. Comprehensive Strategic Assessment:

• 1. • NSS would force a review of threats, opportunities, and global security trends.
     • This helps identify and address long-term threats before they become critical.

2. Long-Term Planning Framework:

• 1. • NSS would provide a structure for long-term strategic planning.
     • This allows India to develop military capabilities and partnerships to secure its interests.

3. Signaling Intent to Allies and Adversaries:

• 1. • NSS would clarify India’s strategic goals, such as its role in the Indian Ocean.
     • This helps deter armed coercion against smaller countries.

4. Synchronization of Government Efforts:

• 1. • NSS would create a mechanism for different government arms to work together.
     • This includes better coordination between military branches and other national security agencies.

5. Accountability and Transparency:

• 1. • NSS would promote accountability by ensuring the bureaucracy follows the government’s vision.
     • A public NSS would increase transparency for Parliament and the people.

Conclusion

• A strong NSS wouldn’t eliminate conflicts within the government, but it would:
  • Identify trade-offs and costs.
  • Enable informed decisions for long-term national security.