what are the implications of india having a long coastline?
Answers
Indian peninsula has a huge coastline of about 7500 km. India is also having two islands which further increase the territorial water and are strategically important.
The advantages are
1. Climate : Continent makes the climate extreme. Monsoon, tropical cyclones and moderate temperature ranges are due to influence of marine.
2. Transport and trade : Starting from ancient Roman empire to present oil trade, most of the trade and transport is mainly through the sea route.
3. Resources : Having huge coastline and continental shelf, resources like petroleum, thorium, etc are obtained.
4. Livelihood : Fisheries, pearls, salt production, etc provide vast economic opportunities to people.
5. Strategic: Indian ocean is named itself by the country name. Huge trade through this region. Hence the strategic location favors India to become a superpower.
6. Power generation: It is possible for the country to install offshore wind power plants in the EEZ's and get energy needs for the people of coastal areas of the country.
7. Tourism .
8. Bio diversity : Coral island are rich bio diversity areas and a tourist hot spot too. Thus bio-diversity gives the advantage of tourism and fishing industry.
Possible Disadvantages -
1.Western coasts becoming vulnerable to external attacks .Ex: An unmanned burning ship was identified near Gulf of Kutch in 2015
but proper surveillance by Indian Coast Guard (ICG)and Coastal Security Group (CSG) helped to avoid such problems.
2.Recent report stated that Odisha is more vulnerable to tropical cyclones among eastern coastal states. Ex: Balasur district, Odisha(28 cyclones) ,Metinpur district of West Bengal(22 cyclones) , cyclone ‘Phailin’ attacked Odisha in 2013
,cyclone “HudHud” attacked Andhra Pradesh in 2014
3.People of Rameshwaram,Tamilnadu were entirely dependent on fishing for their livelihood. Ex: When they do fishing near Katcha theevu ,often they have been attacked and arrested by srilankan forces and the struggle still goes on.
Thus the longest coastline is a boon in many cases but a bane in some cases.
Ans The implications of India having a long coastline are-
1. The coastal regions enjoyed moderate climate.
2. The long coastline mostly support in development of ports and herbours.
3. The long coastline provides ideal fishing ground for the country.