UPSC Mains 2022 GS3 Q18 — Coastal Management
Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard? (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Explain
- Scope keywords
- causes and effectscoastal erosionin Indiacoastal management techniquescombating the hazard
- Implicit sub-parts
- Identification of specific vulnerable hotspots on Indian coasts (West vs East coast dynamics).
- Categorization of causes into natural/climatic and anthropogenic/developmental drivers.
- Evaluation of soft engineering vs hard engineering solutions in the Indian context.
- Policy framework mention such as CRZ notifications and Shoreline Management Plans.
- Common pitfalls
- Ignoring the specific 'In India' context by failing to mention regions like Odisha, Kerala, or the Sundarbans.
- Focusing only on natural causes like cyclones while ignoring human causes like sand mining and harbor construction.
- Listing general disaster management steps instead of technical coastal management techniques like groynes, seawalls, or beach nourishment.
- Failing to distinguish between the high-energy East coast and the West coast erosion patterns.
- Dimensions required
- Geographical/GeomorphologicalSocio-Economic (Impact on fishing communities)Environmental/EcologicalTechnological/EngineeringPolicy/Regulatory
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate approximately 75 words each to 'causes' and 'effects', ensuring India-specific examples are integrated. Devote the remaining 100 words to management techniques, balancing traditional hard structures with modern ecosystem-based solutions like mangroves and bioshields.
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