In what ways does the Census aid in our comprehension of India’s migratory trends and the socioeconomic effects they have?
Model Answer Permafrost refers to ground that remains frozen at or below 32°F (0°C) for at least two consecutive years. These regions are primarily found in colder climates, and the main areas include: Arctic Region: The majority of permafrost is found here, covering large parts of Siberia, Alaska,Read more
Model Answer
Permafrost refers to ground that remains frozen at or below 32°F (0°C) for at least two consecutive years. These regions are primarily found in colder climates, and the main areas include:
- Arctic Region: The majority of permafrost is found here, covering large parts of Siberia, Alaska, Greenland, and Canada. Around 85% of Alaska’s territory sits on permafrost. Undersea permafrost is also present on the Arctic Ocean floor.
- High-Altitude Regions: Areas like the Tibetan Plateau, the Himalayas, and the Rocky Mountains have permafrost due to their high altitudes, which maintain frozen ground.
- Southern Hemisphere: Permafrost exists in the Andes Mountains of South America, New Zealand’s Southern Alps, and in Antarctica’s vast expanse.
Impact of Thawing Permafrost on Global Climate and Ecosystems
Thawing permafrost has emerged as a significant threat due to several reasons:
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Permafrost contains large amounts of carbon and methane trapped in the soil. As the ground thaws, these gases are released into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. A study in Nature Climate Change suggests that a 1°C increase in global temperature could lead to the loss of permafrost the size of India, while a 2°C rise could result in a 40% global loss. This creates a feedback loop, accelerating the warming process.
- Release of Ancient Pathogens: Thawing permafrost has also released long-frozen microbes, including viruses and bacteria. In 2016, an anthrax outbreak in Siberia was linked to thawing permafrost, underscoring the potential health risks.
- Ecosystem Disruption: As permafrost melts, it transforms landscapes, causing the tundra to turn into muddy terrain. This affects local vegetation and wildlife. Additionally, thawing beneath bodies of water can lead to the disappearance of lakes, worsening droughts and destabilizing ecosystems.
- Geological Instability: The melting of permafrost leads to landslides and the destabilization of terrain. For example, the Batagaika crater in Russia has been widening due to thawing permafrost, causing significant land subsidence.
Thawing permafrost poses a critical challenge to the global climate and ecosystems, requiring urgent global attention to mitigate its effects.
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(i) Circum-Pacific belt: Also known as the ‘volcanic zones of the convergent oceanic plate margins’, it includes the volcanoes of the eastern and western coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean, of island arcs and festoons off the east coast of Asia and of the volcanic islands scattered over the Pacific Ocean. (ii) Mid-continental belt: Also known as ‘the volcanic zones of convergent continental plate margins’, it includes the volcanoes of Alpine mountain chains and the Mediterranean Sea and the volcanoes of the fault zone of eastern Africa. (iii) Mid-oceanic ridge belt: This belt includes the volcanoes mainly along the mid-Atlantic ridge which represents the splitting/divergent zone of plates. The spatial distribution of volcanoes and earthquakes show similarities as both events are closely linked with the Theory of Plate Tectonics, which explains the formation of convergent and divergent boundaries and the motion of plates. 
The Census of India plays a crucial role in understanding migration patterns and their socio-economic impacts. By collecting comprehensive data on the movement of people within and between regions, the Census provides valuable insights into migration trends and their effects on various aspects of soRead more
The Census of India plays a crucial role in understanding migration patterns and their socio-economic impacts. By collecting comprehensive data on the movement of people within and between regions, the Census provides valuable insights into migration trends and their effects on various aspects of society. Here’s how the Census contributes to this understanding:
1. Tracking Migration Patterns
2. Analyzing Socio-Economic Impacts
3. Policy and Planning Applications
4. Long-Term Planning and Research
Conclusion
The Census of India is instrumental in understanding migration patterns and their socio-economic impacts by providing detailed data on internal and international migration. This data helps analyze economic and social changes, supports effective policy-making and planning, and informs strategies for regional development and social integration. By leveraging Census data, policymakers and researchers can address the challenges and opportunities presented by migration, ensuring that development efforts are well-informed and targeted to meet the needs of diverse populations.
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