APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 19/08/2025
For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (19-08-2025).
Question:
“Water-rich states like Assam are increasingly facing the paradox of both floods and droughts. Discuss the significance of Assam’s ‘Jal Suraksha Abhiyan’ in addressing this challenge, highlighting its importance, limitations, and the way forward.”
Introduction
Traditionally considered one of India’s most water-abundant regions due to the Brahmaputra and Barak river systems, Assam now faces seasonal water scarcity and groundwater depletion alongside recurring floods. The ‘Jal Suraksha Abhiyan’, launched by the Assam government in 2025, aims to conserve water, recharge aquifers, and promote efficient irrigation, aligning with national priorities under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan and SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
Significance of the Scheme
1. Agricultural Security – Ensures water availability for rabi and pre-kharif crops in drought-prone districts.
2. Climate Resilience – Balances flood-drought extremes worsened by erratic monsoons.
3. Urban Water Supply – Recharge structures benefit cities like Guwahati facing groundwater stress.
4. Community Participation – Involves Panchayats, schools, and SHGs, making water governance bottom-up.
5. Environmental Sustainability – Revives wetlands and promotes rainwater harvesting to sustain ecosystems.
Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Flood–Drought Paradox | Excess water in monsoon vs. scarcity in lean season. |
| Groundwater Contamination | Fluoride, arsenic pockets in Assam limit safe extraction. |
| Awareness & Adoption Gaps | Farmers hesitant to adopt drip/sprinkler irrigation. |
| Urban Over-extraction | Tube wells in Guwahati and peri-urban areas lowering water tables. |
| Institutional Coordination | Multiple departments (Water Resources, Panchayat, Urban) create overlaps. |
Government Efforts & Linkages
- Atal Bhujal Yojana – Focus on sustainable groundwater management.
- MGNREGA – Funding for check dams, ponds, and watershed works.
- Jal Jeevan Mission – Household tap water supply, complementary to recharge.
- Assam’s Wetland Mission – Conservation of beels (Deepor Beel, Son Beel) to aid recharge.
Way Forward
- Integrated River Basin Management – Manage Brahmaputra and Barak basins holistically for flood control and drought mitigation.
- Technology Integration – IoT sensors, satellite mapping for groundwater monitoring.
- Promotion of Traditional Wisdom – Revive bamboo drip irrigation and indigenous rainwater practices.
- Policy Convergence – Merge state efforts with central schemes like PMKSY (irrigation) and Smart Cities.
- Community Water Literacy – Embed water conservation in school curriculum and local campaigns.
Conclusion
The ‘Jal Suraksha Abhiyan’ is more than a water conservation programme—it represents a shift in Assam’s development paradigm, recognising that even a river-rich state must prepare for climate-induced water stress. Its success will depend on community participation, scientific planning, and synergy with national water policies, making Assam resilient against the twin challenges of floods and droughts.
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