Question

how do different physical features of India contribute to the countries development

Answer 1

That geography is a pivotal catalyst of development, especially of a country’s economy, is universally acknowledged. India is no exception to such naked truth. Naturally fenced by young fold mountain ranges of Himalayan height and spread in the north-west, north and north east and washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean and its own two northern arms – the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal – in the south-west, south and south-east it has always remained as a distinct geographical and geopolitical unit since ancient times characterized by a remarkable variety of traits and attributes. The Himalayas – which are womb of India’s perennial rivers, a vast reservoir of minerals, wildlife and vegetation – is a cardinal partner in India’s economic development. The Great Plains facing the loftiest mountains is home to about 40 percent of India’s population and is one of the most developed agricultural regions in the world. The long coastline in the west and the east has housed 12 major ports and a number of minor ports. It helps India in carrying out international trade and commerce by promoting exports and imports. The mineral rich Deccan plateau makes India self-sufficient in mineral wealth and has brightened India’s prospect of being an industrially developed country. The peninsular rivers have been suitable for hydropower projects and currently generating much of India’s energy needs. India’s vast coal reserve is helping it in generating huge thermal power and operating industries across the country. A great many mineral-based industries flourish in India using the vast mineral wealth underlying its landmass.

However, geography of India has been a major stumbling block on the path of its economic development in much respect. With having a tropical climate India experiences hot climate most part of the year. It hampers productivity of the human resources of the country by limiting working hours. It also experiences water scarcity and less productivity of agricultural lands in various parts of the country. The hilly terrains across the country, especially the north-eastern regions are yet to see the light of development and are mostly devoid of transport and communication. Exponential growth in population in India hinders economic growth to a great extent. Although it has achieved self-reliance in food production in recent decades, much remains to be done to make India an agricultural exporting country. Even in non-agricultural production India is lagging far behind the industrially rich countries. A number of remote regions are still alien to effects of recent growth trajectory in Indian economy. Planning and its successful implementation suffer more form geographical constraints than others, by still placing India in the list of just developing countries. Geography has, therefore, affected development in India both positively and negatively.