Water scarcity and virtual water trade – UGC NET Question

Statement C is the only wrong statement because managing demand and improving irrigation efficiency are central to strategies for addressing water scarcity. Statements A, B and D are correct: they define physical scarcity, explain virtual water and note that trade in water-intensive goods can reduce local pressure on scarce water. Efficient irrigation and demand management are widely promoted in water policy. Hence, the combination that identifies C alone as wrong is correct.

Option A:
Option A is correct as it singles out C as the sole incorrect statement and implicitly treats A, B and D as accurate. It recognises the importance of demand-side and efficiency measures in managing scarce water resources, in line with the syllabus.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it treats both B and C as wrong. Statement B correctly defines virtual water and is widely used in discussions of trade and water security. Grouping B with C therefore misrepresents key concepts.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it marks A and C as wrong. A is a standard definition of physical water scarcity, so including it among wrong statements contradicts accepted hydrological terminology.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it labels C and D as wrong together. While C is wrong, D is correct since importing water-intensive crops is one recognised strategy, though not without trade-offs.