Which sector is the single-largest consumer of fresh water in India?
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Industry
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Power
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Domestic
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Agriculture
Agriculture is the single-largest consumer of fresh water in India, accounting for approximately 80-85% of total water withdrawals. This is primarily due to irrigation needs for crops. While industry, power generation, and domestic use are significant consumers, their combined usage is far less than agricultural demand. This pattern is typical of most agrarian economies.
To answer this question, we need to understand the sectors that consume fresh water in India.
Option A) Industry - This option is incorrect because while industries do consume a significant amount of water, they are not the single-largest consumer of fresh water in India.
Option B) Power - This option is incorrect because although power generation requires water for cooling and other processes, it is not the single-largest consumer of fresh water in India.
Option C) Domestic - This option is incorrect because while domestic water usage by households is important, it is not the single-largest consumer of fresh water in India.
Option D) Agriculture - This option is correct because agriculture is the single-largest consumer of fresh water in India. Agriculture accounts for around 80% of the total water consumption in the country, primarily for irrigation purposes.
The correct answer is D) Agriculture. This option is correct because agriculture is the sector that consumes the largest amount of fresh water in India.