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Home/upsc: economic geography/Page 2

Mains Answer Writing Latest Questions

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TeamSupreme
Asked: September 9, 2024In:
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What’s meant by “water stress”? Why and how does it vary by region in India? (Answer in 250 words)

upsc: economic geography
  1. Ahaana Varma
    Ahaana Varma Begginer

    Water Stress: Definition and Regional Variations in India What is Water Stress? Water stress refers to the situation where the demand for water exceeds the available supply, or where water quality restricts its usage. It arises due to the overuse of water resources, climate change, and population grRead more

    Water Stress: Definition and Regional Variations in India

    What is Water Stress?
    Water stress refers to the situation where the demand for water exceeds the available supply, or where water quality restricts its usage. It arises due to the overuse of water resources, climate change, and population growth, leading to scarcity in meeting daily water needs for agriculture, industries, and households. India, with its large population and diverse climatic conditions, faces significant water stress, affecting economic growth, food security, and livelihoods.

    Regional Differences in Water Stress
    Water stress varies across India due to geographical, climatic, and socio-economic factors:

    1. North-Western India: States like Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana experience severe water stress due to arid climates, over-extraction of groundwater, and inefficient agricultural practices. For instance, Punjab’s water table is depleting rapidly due to intensive paddy cultivation, making the region vulnerable to droughts.
    2. Southern India: States like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka face frequent water disputes, like the Cauvery river dispute, due to unequal distribution of river waters and erratic rainfall patterns. These regions often rely on monsoons, and their failure leads to severe droughts and water shortages.
    3. Eastern and Northeastern India: These regions, such as Assam and West Bengal, are relatively water-rich but still experience water stress due to floods, water contamination, and poor infrastructure. In recent years, urban water management has been a growing concern, especially in cities like Kolkata.
    4. Central India: Regions like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra face water stress due to irregular rainfall and over-dependence on monsoons, leading to recurrent droughts, like the Marathwada drought of 2016.

    Conclusion
    Water stress in India is a complex issue driven by regional variations in climate, water management practices, and socio-economic factors. Addressing these differences requires localized solutions, sustainable water management, and policy interventions to ensure long-term water security.

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Rajashree Shirke
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Rajashree ShirkeLearner
Asked: January 17, 2025In:
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Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction Start with an overview of India’s milk production. Mention that India is the world’s largest producer of milk, contributing 24.64% of global milk production (2021-22). Highlight the need for White Revolution 2.0, an initiative that builds on ...

upsc: economic geography
  1. Team
    Best Answer
    Team Supreme

    Model Answer 1. Feed and Fodder Shortages A major constraint to dairy farming in India is the shortage of quality feed and fodder. This is due to changes in land use patterns, urbanization, and the declining productivity of pasturelands. India faces a 35.6% deficit in green fodder, impacting the nutRead more

    Model Answer

    1. Feed and Fodder Shortages

    A major constraint to dairy farming in India is the shortage of quality feed and fodder. This is due to changes in land use patterns, urbanization, and the declining productivity of pasturelands. India faces a 35.6% deficit in green fodder, impacting the nutrition of livestock.

    2. Low Productivity

    The productivity of dairy animals in India is low compared to global standards. The milk yield of Indian cows is only two-thirds of the world average. This is mainly due to limited access to quality feed, traditional feeding methods, and inadequate veterinary care.

    3 .Poor Animal Healthcare

    India’s veterinary infrastructure is underdeveloped, contributing to poor animal health. Over 3.2 million cattle and buffaloes contracted Lumpy Skin Disease in 2022-2023. Additionally, there is a shortage of 55,000 veterinarians in the country, as reported by the National Sample Survey Organization.

    4. Inadequate Technological Progress

    The dairy sector in India struggles to adopt modern technology due to its unorganized structure. As a result, 3% of milk, equivalent to around 5 million tonnes, gets wasted due to lack of refrigeration and power supply.

    Achieving White Revolution 2.0

    1. Breeding Technologies
      To boost milk production, India needs to focus on genetic improvement through new breeding technologies. Techniques like sex-sorted semen can increase the likelihood of producing female calves, thus improving productivity.
    2. Affordable Animal Nutrition
      Reducing dependence on expensive compound cattle feed is essential. Farmers should be encouraged to grow protein-rich, high-yielding green fodder grasses to make livestock feeding more affordable and sustainable.
    3. Improving Animal Health
      Strengthening veterinary services by increasing the number of veterinarians and setting up mobile clinics is crucial. Preventive healthcare programs should also be implemented to safeguard livestock from diseases.
    4. Adopting Modern Technology
      Encouraging the use of automated milking machines, milk testing equipment, and data analytics for herd management can significantly improve efficiency and productivity in dairy farming.
    5. Access to Credit
      Customised financial products are essential to help farmers purchase high-quality livestock, invest in infrastructure, and adopt modern technologies.

    By addressing these challenges and implementing these measures, India can successfully embark on White Revolution 2.0, transforming its dairy sector into a more productive, efficient, and sustainable industry.

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Adheesh Raman
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Adheesh RamanLearner
Asked: February 15, 2025In:
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Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction Briefly introduce the concept of resource-rich regions in India. Mention the paradox where natural resource abundance does not always translate into economic prosperity. Define the “resource curse” concept, which is relevant to understanding this paradox. 2. Body a) Overdependence on ...

upsc: economic geography
  1. Team
    Team Supreme

    Model Answer Introduction India is endowed with abundant natural resources, including coal, iron ore, and bauxite. Regions like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh are rich in these resources, yet they exhibit some of the lowest per capita incomes in the country. The phenomenon where resource-rich rRead more

    Model Answer

    Introduction

    India is endowed with abundant natural resources, including coal, iron ore, and bauxite. Regions like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh are rich in these resources, yet they exhibit some of the lowest per capita incomes in the country. The phenomenon where resource-rich regions do not always experience high economic development is often referred to as the “resource curse.”

    Lack of Diversification

    One of the primary reasons these regions fail to reach high economic development is their overdependence on natural resource extraction. Mining and extraction activities dominate the economy, but there is limited industrial diversification. This heavy reliance on a single sector makes these regions vulnerable to commodity price fluctuations and market volatility. For example, Assam’s dependence on oil and gas extraction has made its economy unstable when global oil prices drop.

    Environmental and Social Issues

    Resource extraction often brings about environmental degradation, such as land displacement and pollution, which further hampers development. For instance, the mining activities in Jharkhand, like those around the Jaduguda mines, have caused severe environmental damage, including health problems such as increased cancer cases due to radioactive waste. The tribal populations in these areas are often marginalized and excluded from benefiting from the resources in their regions due to political disenfranchisement.

    Challenges in Governance and Infrastructure

    The governance in these regions is often weak, with policy-making focused more on exploitation rather than sustainable development. Infrastructure in remote, resource-rich areas is underdeveloped, making it difficult to implement government initiatives. Poor connectivity and the lack of basic services such as healthcare and education are significant barriers to development.

    Lack of Skilled Labor

    Resource-rich regions also face a shortage of skilled labor, which prevents them from diversifying into knowledge-based industries. The lack of human capital and professional skills limits these regions’ ability to develop industries beyond resource extraction, further stalling economic progress.

    Conclusion

    Despite their resource wealth, these regions need structural reforms, including diversification of industries, sustainable resource management, improved infrastructure, and better governance. Empowering local communities, particularly tribal populations, and increasing their participation in decision-making processes will be crucial to ensuring more equitable and sustainable development in these resource-rich areas.

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Adheesh Raman
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Adheesh RamanLearner
Asked: February 15, 2025In:
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Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction Definition: Briefly define what “India’s export hotspots” are — specific regions within the country that show significant growth and concentration in export activities. Context: Mention their importance in contributing to India’s export growth, both in terms of ...

upsc: economic geography
  1. Team
    Team Supreme

    Model Answer Introduction 'India's export hotspots' refer to specific regions in the country that excel in export activities due to their unique characteristics. These areas are crucial to India's overall export growth, contributing significantly to its economy and international trade. Defining CharRead more

    Model Answer

    Introduction

    ‘India’s export hotspots’ refer to specific regions in the country that excel in export activities due to their unique characteristics. These areas are crucial to India’s overall export growth, contributing significantly to its economy and international trade.

    Defining Characteristics of India’s Export Hotspots

    1. Well-Developed Infrastructure: Export hotspots are marked by robust infrastructure such as modern ports and transportation networks. For instance, Mundra Port in Gujarat, one of India’s largest private ports, plays a key role in handling large volumes of exports.
    2. Concentration of Industries: Many hotspots feature industrial clusters or special economic zones (SEZs) that focus on export-oriented activities. The NCR region, with its concentration of electronics and software industries, is a prime example.
    3. Availability of Skilled Workforce: These regions typically have a skilled labor force, which is vital for sectors like textiles in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, where the textile industry thrives.
    4. Proximity to Natural Resources: Export hotspots often benefit from being near natural resources, such as Karnal in Haryana, known for its agricultural productivity, or Jharsaguda in Odisha, rich in minerals.
    5. Technological Advancements: Innovation and technological growth are key features of export hotspots, like Bengaluru, a hub for IT services and software exports.
    6. Access to International Markets: Strategic locations near ports and trade routes boost connectivity to global markets. Gujarat’s proximity to ports facilitates easy access to international buyers.
    7. Government Support: The presence of SEZs and favorable policies enhances the growth of export sectors. The SEZ in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, attracts export-driven industries with tax benefits.

    Contribution to India’s Export Growth

    1. Increased Export Volumes: Ports like Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai handle a large share of India’s containerized cargo, boosting export volumes.
    2. Diversification of Export Basket: States like Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have developed strong pharmaceutical sectors, contributing to India’s global leadership in generic drug exports.
    3. Foreign Exchange Earnings: Surat, known for its gems and jewelry industry, is a major contributor to foreign exchange, establishing India as a top exporter of cut and polished diamonds.
    4. Employment Generation: The textile industry in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, has created significant local employment, enhancing regional economic growth.
    5. Technological Innovation: The automotive sector in Chennai has attracted investments, leading to the production of advanced automobiles for export.
    6. FDI Inflows: The IT sector in Bengaluru has attracted substantial FDI, boosting software exports and enhancing India’s technological competitiveness.

    Conclusion

    India’s export hotspots play a critical role in driving the country’s export growth by offering competitive advantages such as infrastructure, skilled labor, and proximity to resources. Continued government support will help maximize their contribution to India’s export success.

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