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:

1. Regulatory Challenges: The sector is often perceived as over-regulated, causing delays in clearances that deter investment.
2. Technological Constraints: Many mines lack advanced technologies, leading to inefficiencies in extraction processes.
3. Environmental and Social Concerns: Mining operations have faced opposition due to environmental degradation and the displacement of local communities, necessitating stricter regulations.
4. Infrastructure Bottlenecks: Insufficient transportation infrastructure hampers the sector’s growth potential.
5. Quality of Reserves: The quality of certain resources, like coal, often does not meet market standards, leading to increased imports.

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.