Roadmap for Answer Writing
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Introduction
- Briefly introduce Gondwanaland and its significance.
- Mention India’s geological wealth and the expectation of high GDP contribution from the mining sector.
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Geological Background
- Explain India’s connection to Gondwanaland and the mineral resources it has inherited.
- Highlight the diversity of India’s geological terrain.
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Current Contribution of Mining to GDP
- State that India’s mining sector contributes approximately 2.5% to the GDP.
- Compare this with countries like Australia, where mining contributes a significantly higher percentage.
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Key Mineral Resources in India
- Coal Reserves:
- India has the fifth-largest coal reserves in the world (Source: Ministry of Coal).
- Despite this, India imports a significant amount of coal due to quality issues.
- Iron Ore:
- Major deposits in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh; India is a top producer globally.
- Other Minerals:
- Mention significant minerals like bauxite, manganese, and limestone.
- Coal Reserves:
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Challenges Limiting Contribution to GDP
- Regulatory and Policy Challenges: Over-regulation causing delays in approvals.
- Technological Constraints: Lack of advanced mining technologies leads to inefficiencies.
- Environmental and Social Concerns: Mining activities face opposition due to environmental degradation.
- Infrastructure Bottlenecks: Inadequate transportation infrastructure limits growth potential.
- Quality of Reserves: Some resources, like coal, are of lower quality, necessitating imports.
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Conclusion
- Summarize the reasons for the low contribution of the mining sector to GDP.
- Suggest the need for reforms, technological upgrades, and sustainable practices to enhance the sector’s contribution.
Relevant Facts and Sources
- Gondwanaland: An ancient supercontinent comprising regions rich in mineral resources.
- GDP Contribution: Mining contributes 2.5% to India’s GDP.
- Coal Reserves: India has the fifth-largest coal reserves globally.
- Iron Ore Production: Major deposits in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh; India is a top producer.
- Regulatory Challenges: Over-regulation leads to investment deterrents.
- Technological Constraints: Inefficiencies due to lack of advanced technology.
- Environmental Concerns: Mining leads to environmental degradation and community displacement.
- Infrastructure Issues: Lack of proper transportation infrastructure affects growth.
- Quality of Coal: Domestic coal quality issues lead to significant imports.
India’s mining industry, despite being located on the Gondwanan landmass, contributes relatively less to its GDP due to several factors:
In summary, India’s limited contribution of mining to GDP is due to a combination of economic priorities, sectoral challenges, and global market dynamics.
Model Answer
Introduction
Gondwanaland, an ancient supercontinent, once included the Indian subcontinent, providing it with a wealth of mineral resources. Despite this geological heritage, India’s mining industry contributes only about 2.5% to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a figure significantly lower than that of other Gondwanaland nations, such as Australia. This disparity highlights the underutilization of India’s rich mineral potential.
Body
Geological Wealth
India’s geological landscape is diverse, with the peninsular region rich in minerals like coal, iron ore, bauxite, and manganese. According to the Geological Survey of India, the country possesses the fifth-largest coal reserves globally. However, despite these vast reserves, India imports a substantial amount of coal due to quality concerns and energy efficiency issues.
Mining Sector Overview
India ranks among the top producers of iron ore, particularly in states such as Odisha and Jharkhand. Yet, the mining sector’s contribution to GDP remains low, especially in comparison to countries like Australia, where mining significantly boosts economic growth.
Challenges Limiting Contribution
Several factors impede the mining sector’s ability to enhance its GDP contribution:
Conclusion
India’s association with Gondwanaland has endowed it with significant mineral resources. However, regulatory, infrastructural, and environmental challenges have limited the mining sector’s contribution to the GDP. To unlock this potential, India must pursue reforms, technological advancements, and sustainable practices to ensure a more substantial contribution of mining to its economic growth.