Sample Answer
Introduction
The Deccan Trap formations in peninsular India were created by massive volcanic eruptions. They hold natural resources that continue to shape the region’s economic and developmental trajectories.
Body
They have a huge variety of natural resources:
- Mineral resources: Manganese (Kajlidongri mine), copper (Malanjkhand mine), bauxite (Kolhapur and Satara), dolomite, limestone, quartz, silica etc.
- Energy resources:
- Oil & Gas: around 30 billion tonne in Saurashtra-central India belt
- Geothermal: numerous hot springs present in Konkan geothermal province. Reservoirs at Unhavare, Tural and Aravali have been found.
- Hydro: Rivers like Narmada, Godavari and Krishna have high potential.
- Soil resources: Black soil has a high water retention capacity; good for cotton, sugarcane and groundnut.
- Water resources: Low availability due to Hard rocks and seasonal rivers like Narmada and Tapi.
- Forest resources: Deccan has tropical dry deciduous forests with Hardwickia-dominated woodlands.
- Wildlife: Huge biodiversity; tiger, wild buffalo, wild dog, four-horned antelope, gaur, blackbuck, and chinkara present.
Conclusion
Despite all these resources, the true potential of these resources has not been reaped because of factors like eco-sensitive regions, frequent landslides, difficult mining, lack of water availability and soil degradation.
