Explain the concept of 'virtual water' and discuss how it influences water resource management in India.
Answer
Virtual water is the water embedded in goods and services; it influences India's water management by allowing water‑intensive crops to be imported, reducing domestic water stress.
Step-by-step solution
- Define virtual water: the volume of water used to produce a commodity.
- Illustrate with an example: 1 kg of wheat contains about 1,300 L of water.
- Explain its relevance: importing water‑intensive commodities reduces the amount of water that must be sourced domestically.
- Connect to policy: India can alleviate water scarcity by importing such goods and focusing domestic water use on less water‑intensive needs.
Common mistake: Confusing virtual water with actual water flow
Concept tested: Virtual water concept
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