Marine resources are often seen as the next frontier for sustainable development, particularly for coastal nations like India. In this context, evaluate the potential of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in harnessing marine resources for economic growth, and the challenges involved in ensuring sustainable use.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Marine resources
Topic: Marine resources
Q2. Marine resources are often seen as the next frontier for sustainable development, particularly for coastal nations like India. In this context, evaluate the potential of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in harnessing marine resources for economic growth, and the challenges involved in ensuring sustainable use. 15M
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights ias
Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2025 Secure timetable. Key Demand of the question: To Analyze the economic potential of India’s EEZ for resource extraction (e.g., fisheries, oil and gas, minerals) and how it can contribute to India’s Blue Economy. Additionally, identify challenges in the sustainable use of these resources, including environmental, legal, and technological concerns. Structure of the Answer: Introduction: Define the concept of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): An area extending up to 200 nautical miles from a country’s coast where it has special rights to explore and exploit marine resources. Body: Describe the Potential of India’s EEZ for Economic Growth: rich fishing ground with substantial potential for commercial fisheries, contains significant reserves of oil and natural gas, seabed of India’s EEZ holds valuable minerals like polymetallic nodules and rare earth elements, etc. Next highlight the Challenges in Ensuring Sustainable Use: Environmental Degradation (overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution), Regulatory and Management Issues, Climate Change Impacts, Technological and Financial Constraints, etc. Suggest way forward – Strengthening marine governance, improving monitoring, Encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) in marine technology development, Expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and enforcing sustainable fishing regulations, etc. Conclusion: Conclude by summarizing that India’s EEZ holds immense potential for boosting economic growth through marine resources. However, sustainable management is crucial to avoid over-exploitation and environmental degradation.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2025 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To Analyze the economic potential of India’s EEZ for resource extraction (e.g., fisheries, oil and gas, minerals) and how it can contribute to India’s Blue Economy. Additionally, identify challenges in the sustainable use of these resources, including environmental, legal, and technological concerns.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Define the concept of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): An area extending up to 200 nautical miles from a country’s coast where it has special rights to explore and exploit marine resources.
• Describe the Potential of India’s EEZ for Economic Growth: rich fishing ground with substantial potential for commercial fisheries, contains significant reserves of oil and natural gas, seabed of India’s EEZ holds valuable minerals like polymetallic nodules and rare earth elements, etc.
• Next highlight the Challenges in Ensuring Sustainable Use: Environmental Degradation (overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution), Regulatory and Management Issues, Climate Change Impacts, Technological and Financial Constraints, etc.
• Suggest way forward – Strengthening marine governance, improving monitoring, Encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) in marine technology development, Expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and enforcing sustainable fishing regulations, etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarizing that India’s EEZ holds immense potential for boosting economic growth through marine resources. However, sustainable management is crucial to avoid over-exploitation and environmental degradation.