भारत के समुद्री यातायात का विकास ऐतिहासिक और आर्थिक दृष्टिकोण से महत्वपूर्ण रहा है। प्राचीन काल से ही भारत के बंदरगाह व्यापार का केंद्र रहे हैं। स्वतंत्रता के बाद, भारत ने समुद्री यातायात के विकास के लिए कई उपाय किए।

1960 के दशक में भारतीय नौसेना और शिपिंग निगम की स्थापना से इसमें तेजी आई। पोर्ट ट्रस्ट अधिनियम 1963 के तहत प्रमुख बंदरगाहों का विकास हुआ, जिससे संचार और व्यापार में सुधार हुआ।

आधुनिक समय में, पत्तन अधिनियम और विशेष आर्थिक क्षेत्र (SEZ) की स्थापना से समुद्री व्यापार में बढ़ोतरी हुई। भारत के प्रमुख बंदरगाह जैसे मुंबई, कोलकाता, चेन्नई और विशाखापट्टनम ने वैश्विक व्यापार में अपनी भूमिका बढ़ाई है, जिससे आर्थिक विकास को बढ़ावा मिला है।

A tropical cyclone is a powerful storm system that forms over warm ocean waters in tropical regions, typically between 5° and 20° latitude. These cyclones develop when warm, moist air rises, creating low-pressure areas. As the air cools, it condenses, releasing latent heat and further intensifying the storm.

Tropical cyclones are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, often leading to significant damage and flooding when they make landfall. They have a well-defined center known as the “eye,” where conditions are relatively calm. Examples include hurricanes in the Atlantic and typhoons in the Pacific. Their impact can be devastating, affecting infrastructure, agriculture, and communities, necessitating advanced monitoring and preparedness measures to mitigate risks.

A river delta is a landform created at the mouth of a river, where it meets a body of water like an ocean or a lake. As the river flows, it carries sediment that settles when the water slows down, forming a fertile area rich in nutrients.

Deltas can be classified based on their shape:

Triangular Delta: This is the most common shape, resembling a triangle, such as the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta.
Cuspate Delta: These have a pointed shape, formed when sediment is deposited evenly on both sides of the river, like the Nile Delta.
Bird’s Foot Delta: Characterized by protruding points resembling a bird’s foot, seen in the Mississippi Delta.
These shapes depend on the river’s flow, sediment load, and tidal influences, affecting their ecological and agricultural significance.

The four layers of the atmosphere are:

Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
The Troposphere is the lowermost layer, extending from the Earth’s surface up to about 8 to 15 kilometers. It is where all weather phenomena occur, including clouds, rain, and storms, making it crucial for life on Earth. The temperature in the troposphere decreases with altitude, and it contains approximately 75% of the atmosphere’s mass and nearly all its water vapor. This layer is characterized by a rich mix of gases and is vital for sustaining life. The boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere is known as the tropopause, which acts as a barrier to weather systems, influencing climate patterns significantly.

The tourism industry in Uttarakhand contributes to environmental degradation through overuse of resources, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity due to increasing visitor numbers. Additionally, inadequate infrastructure and waste management exacerbate pollution, harming the natural landscape. This degradation ultimately undermines tourism’s sustainability, affecting both the economy and the environment.