Water, Mineral & Energy Resources

These flashcards cover essential topics in Indian geography related to water, mineral, and energy resources, preparing students for the UPSE exam.

Why is India's water resource availability considered a paradox?

Despite high total precipitation (4,000 km³), only 1,122 km³ is utilizable due to spatial-temporal variability, runoff loss, and infrastructural limitations.

Why do the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak rivers hold disproportionate water resources?

They account for 60% of surface water despite draining only one-third of India's area because of high precipitation in their catchments.

What makes south Indian rivers like Godavari and Krishna more extensively harnessed than northern rivers?

More dams and irrigation projects were completed earlier in peninsular rivers; parts of Brahmaputra and Ganga remain under-utilized due to terrain and seismic sensitivity.

How does high groundwater utilization in northwestern states indicate unsustainable trends?

States like Punjab and Haryana overdraw aquifers for irrigation, risking long-term depletion and ecological imbalance.

Why is watershed management seen as more than just water conservation?

It integrates land, water, vegetation, and community to balance natural resources with sustainable livelihood.

Why is inter-basin water transfer controversial in India?

It may address surplus-deficit imbalances but risks ecological damage, displacement, and interstate disputes.

How does river linking differ from watershed development in approach?

River linking is infrastructure-heavy and top-down; watershed development is decentralized and community-driven.

Why is water-use efficiency critical in Indian agriculture?

Over 80% of water goes to irrigation with significant wastage; improving efficiency can ease water stress.

What makes rainwater harvesting more effective in urban than rural contexts?

Urban surfaces enable runoff collection; in rural areas, land percolation is more natural and less utilized.

Why are traditional water tanks in South India considered sustainable?

They recharge groundwater, regulate flood flow, and support agriculture and biodiversity seasonally.

Why is India’s mineral wealth termed geologically skewed?

Most metallic minerals occur in the Peninsular Shield; northern plains and northeastern hills are mineral-poor.

Why does India import coal despite vast reserves?

Domestic coal has high ash content and low calorific value; certain industries need better-grade coal.

How does illegal sand mining threaten riverine ecosystems?

It causes bank erosion, destroys habitats, and alters flow patterns irreversibly.

Why is chromite critical for India's strategic and economic security?

It’s used in metallurgy, especially for defense-grade alloys, and India has significant global reserves.

How do environmental clearances delay mineral project implementation?

They involve multi-tier approval processes balancing economic needs with ecological protection.

What makes Chhota Nagpur Plateau a mineral heartland?

Ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks hold rich deposits of coal, iron ore, bauxite, mica, etc.

Why is Rajasthan prominent in non-metallic mineral production?

Its desert geology yields gypsum, limestone, phosphorite, and marble.

How does mining impact tribal livelihoods in Odisha and Jharkhand?

Land acquisition, displacement, and ecological degradation disrupt traditional economies.

Why is manganese mining vital to India's steel industry?

Manganese is a key alloying element for steel-making, and India ranks high in reserves.

What are the socio-economic risks of single-mineral-dependent districts?

Over-reliance creates vulnerability to price shocks, labor unrest, and ecological degradation.

How does National Mineral Policy attempt to balance growth and sustainability?

It promotes private investment and exploration while ensuring ecological safeguards and rehabilitation.

Why is mineral exploration in India lagging despite resource potential?

Poor data digitization, bureaucratic delays, and lack of deep exploration techniques.

How does captive mining restrict competitive efficiency?

It locks minerals to specific companies, limiting broader market access and innovation.

Why is community consent crucial in mining-affected regions?

Local populations face direct consequences, and consent ensures social legitimacy and compliance.

How does mining-induced displacement challenge ethical governance?

It raises issues of compensation, rehabilitation, and intergenerational loss of land rights.

Why is coal production in India regionally concentrated?

Major coalfields are in eastern India (Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh) due to Gondwana formations.

What makes lignite less economically attractive than bituminous coal?

It has higher moisture, lower energy density, and is less suited for long-distance transport.

Why does India face energy security issues despite being energy-rich?

Inefficient distribution, import dependence on oil/gas, and poor renewable integration.

Why are western offshore basins vital for India's hydrocarbon sector?

Mumbai High and adjacent basins yield significant domestic oil and gas.

How does energy pricing policy affect industrial competitiveness?

Subsidies distort prices; high tariffs reduce industrial demand and private sector efficiency.

Why is India's solar potential underutilized despite high insolation?

Land acquisition, grid connectivity, storage costs, and DISCOM health limit scale-up.

What makes wind power spatially constrained in India?

High potential zones (TN, Gujarat, Maharashtra) are limited; wind speeds are location-specific.

Why is small hydro preferred over large hydro in hilly areas?

It causes less displacement, integrates into local grids, and respects fragile ecology.

How does renewable energy expansion align with India’s climate goals?

It reduces fossil dependency and helps meet INDC targets under Paris Agreement.

What are the grid management challenges with high renewables?

Intermittent supply, lack of storage, and voltage instability complicate load balancing.

Why has nuclear energy remained marginal in India’s energy mix?

High cost, public resistance, uranium import dependence, and long gestation periods.

What strategic importance does thorium hold for India?

India has large thorium reserves and aims to develop 3-stage reactors for energy independence.

Why is biomass still dominant in rural energy use?

It’s cheap, accessible, and used for cooking, though inefficient and polluting.

How does ethanol blending help India’s energy and environment strategy?

It reduces oil imports, boosts farm income, and lowers emissions.

Why is hydrogen emerging as a key future fuel in India?

It offers zero-carbon transport and industrial use, with strategic plans under National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Why does India’s water stress coexist with flooding in many river basins?

Temporal concentration of rainfall, poor storage, and lack of basin-wide planning cause both excess and scarcity.

How does the salinization of groundwater threaten coastal agriculture?

Overdrawing groundwater leads to seawater intrusion, degrading soil fertility and water quality.

Why are hydropower projects in the Himalayas facing increasing resistance?

They disrupt fragile ecosystems, cause displacement, and are vulnerable to seismic and glacial risks.

How do water-intensive cropping patterns worsen India's energy-water nexus?

Power subsidies encourage groundwater overuse for crops like paddy, straining both aquifers and electricity grids.

Why is strategic oil reserve critical for India’s energy security?

It protects against global price shocks and supply disruptions by storing crude oil domestically.

How can mine closure plans ensure ecological justice?

They mandate post-mining restoration, reduce abandoned sites, and ensure accountability for long-term damage.

What are the limitations of India’s uranium reserves in nuclear expansion?

Low-grade ores and geopolitical restrictions force dependence on imports for sustained operation.

How do energy poverty and gender inequality intersect in rural India?

Women bear the burden of biomass collection and health hazards from indoor smoke.

Why is decentralized solar power seen as a solution for energy access?

It bypasses grid failures and reaches remote areas directly, promoting energy inclusion.

How can energy audits in industries reduce India’s carbon footprint?

They identify inefficiencies, cut emissions, and enhance competitiveness through better energy management.