The major part of the earth is covered with water, but many countries are involved in military conflicts with each other for it. What is the basic reason for the conflict?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Rivers flow through many countries
Option (1) The oceans are a global common — Incorrect. Global commons are areas outside the sovereign jurisdiction of any one state, such as the earth’s atmosphere, Antarctica, the ocean floor and outer space; they need common governance by the international community. This does not make water a cause of military conflict between countries.
Option (2) It is a resource of renewable energy — Incorrect. Running water can be used to produce renewable energy, but that is not why countries fight over water.
Option (3) It is a source of green energy — Incorrect. Green energy means energy produced without polluting the environment. It has nothing to do with why countries fight over water.
Option (4) Rivers flow through many countries — Correct. Many countries share rivers, and countries that share rivers can disagree over many things. A downstream state objects to pollution, excessive irrigation or the construction of dams by an upstream state, which may reduce or spoil the water it gets. Such countries are involved in military conflicts with each other, as Israel, Syria and Jordan were over the Jordan and Yarmuk rivers.
NCERT (2026-27): “Resource Geopolitics … States have used force to protect or seize freshwater resources. Examples of violence include those between Israel, Syria, and Jordan in the 1950s and 1960s over attempts by each side to divert water from the Jordan and Yarmuk Rivers, and more recent threats between Turkey, Syria, and Iraq over the construction of dams on the Euphrates River. A number of studies show that countries that share rivers — and many countries do share rivers — are involved in military conflicts with each other.… Resource Geopolitics … Countries that share rivers can disagree over many things.…” |