UPSC Mains 2023 GS1 Q14 — Coastal Geography
Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Commenthighlight
- Scope keywords
- resource potentialslong coastline of Indiastatus of natural hazard preparedness
- Implicit sub-parts
- Identification of diverse coastal resource types: biotic, mineral, energy, and logistical.
- Critical evaluation of the current 'status'—gap analysis between existing infrastructure and actual safety.
- Integration of the 'Blue Economy' concept as a modern resource potential.
- Assessment of institutional mechanisms like NDMA guidelines and the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) framework.
- Common pitfalls
- Ignoring the 'Comment' directive by just listing resources without discussing their economic or strategic significance.
- Focusing only on Cyclones and Tsunami while neglecting Coastal Erosion and Salinity Ingress as natural hazards.
- Failing to mention specific government initiatives like Sagarmala, O-SMART, or the IOWave exercises.
- Writing a general disaster management answer instead of one specific to the 'coastline' context.
- Dimensions required
- Economic (Blue Economy, Fisheries, Ports)Energy (Offshore wind, Tidal, Gas hydrates)Environmental (Mangroves as bio-shields, CRZ norms)Institutional (INCOIS, NDRF, early warning systems)Technological (Space-based monitoring, GIS mapping)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate approximately 100-120 words to categorize and comment on resource potentials (Energy, Minerals, Biotic). Dedicate the remaining 100-120 words to hazard preparedness, ensuring a balance between 'what has been done' (Early Warning Systems) and 'what is missing' (last-mile connectivity and nature-based solutions).
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