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UPPSC MainsGeneral Studies Paper IGeographyPractice question

Oceans as a Storehouse of Resources

Oceans are the storehouse of resources. Write a short note.

Write a short note~250 words2 min readeasy
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How to approach

Introduce by stating the vast extent of oceans and their contribution to India's Blue Economy. Systematically categorise oceanic resources into mineral, energy, biological, and climatic or trade advantages, integrating regional relevance like hinterland connectivity. Conclude with a sustainable framework for deep-sea exploration highlighting initiatives like the Deep Ocean Mission.

Model answer

301 words

Introduction

Covering approximately 71% of the Earth's surface, oceans form the cornerstone of global ecological balance and economic prosperity. In India, they underpin the burgeoning Blue Economy, which currently contributes roughly 4% to the national GDP, offering immense economic, energy, and climatic potential.

Mineral and Energy Resources

The seabed and ocean depths hold vast non-living reserves crucial for industrial and energy security:

  • Polymetallic Nodules (PMN): Found across abyssal plains, these nodules are rich in critical transition metals such as cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese.
  • Placer and Beach Sand Deposits: Coastal stretches host vital mineral deposits, such as thorium-rich monazite sands along the Kerala coast, essential for nuclear power development.
  • Marine Renewable Energy: Oceans offer clean power alternatives through Offshore Wind, Tidal energy, and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).

Biological and Ecological Resources

Marine biodiversity supports sustenance and planetary health:

  • Food and Livelihoods: Marine fisheries and aquaculture provide protein security and sustain the livelihoods of millions of coastal dwellers.
  • Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity: Coral reefs serve as the 'rainforests of the oceans', harbouring complex ecosystems, while oceanic phytoplankton sequester vast quantities of atmospheric carbon dioxide, aiding global net-zero goals.

Climatic and Navigational Significance

Beyond tangible extraction, oceans deliver irreplaceable physical services:

  • Climate Regulation: Acting as colossal thermal buffers, oceans regulate global temperatures and drive the Southwest Monsoon, the lifeblood of agrarian belts including Uttar Pradesh's Kharif cropping season.
  • Trade and Hinterland Connectivity: Facilitating around 95% of India's external trade by volume, oceans connect inland states to world markets via inland waterways, such as National Waterway-1 (Prayagraj to Haldia) exporting regional products.

Conclusion

Realising the untapped potential of oceanic reserves requires balancing economic extraction with environmental stewardship. Sustainable harnessing guided by the UNCLOS framework and advanced indigenous initiatives like the Deep Ocean Mission and Samudrayaan will ensure long-term maritime prosperity while safeguarding delicate marine ecosystems.

Key facts to remember

statistic

India's Blue Economy accounts for approximately 4% of the national GDP, sustaining coastal communities and international maritime trade.

scheme
Deep Ocean Mission (Samudrayaan)

A flagship initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences aimed at deep-sea exploration of polymetallic nodules and marine biodiversity, targeting a 6,000-metre manned submersible dive by 2026.

definition
Polymetallic Nodules

Mineral concretions lying on deep-ocean sea beds composed of concentric layers of iron and manganese hydroxides around a core, rich in critical metals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper.

Frequently asked questions

How do oceanic resources benefit landlocked states like Uttar Pradesh?

Oceans regulate the Southwest Monsoon crucial for Uttar Pradesh's Kharif agriculture, while National Waterway-1 connects Prayagraj to the sea, allowing state produce like One District One Product (ODOP) goods direct access to international maritime shipping routes.

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