Question

Difficulty: Very hardState Economy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources

Consider the following statements regarding the state's economic geography, agricultural zoning, and natural resource distribution:

1. Bauxite reserves in the plateau belt are primarily concentrated within high-level laterite cappings overlying Precambrian khondalite rock formations.
2. The coastal district plains fall under the East Coast Plains and Hills Agro-Climatic Zone, where Kharif paddy constitutes the dominant agricultural crop.
3. Large-scale river lift irrigation projects across major river basins operate exclusively via off-grid micro-solar power infrastructure.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. C
    1 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect.
Bauxite deposits on plateau regions originate from deep weathering of Precambrian khondalite rocks into lateritic cappings, making the first statement correct. The coastal plain regions are classified under the East Coast Plains and Hills Agro-Climatic Zone where Kharif paddy is the primary staple crop, making the second statement correct. The third statement is incorrect because high-capacity river lift irrigation schemes depend on state electrical grid connections and sub-stations rather than exclusively off-grid micro-solar units.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Statement 1 regarding mineral geology and bauxite distribution.
Bauxite deposits in peninsular plateau belts occur extensively as lateritic cappings over khondalite and charnockite suites. Statement 1 is correct.
Geological survey data confirms the genesis of high-grade bauxite from the weathering of khondalite parent rocks in plateau regions.
2
Analyze Statement 2 regarding agro-climatic zoning.
The state's eastern coastal alluvial plains belong to Planning Commission Zone 11 (East Coast Plains and Hills Region), dominated by rainfed and irrigated Kharif paddy. Statement 2 is correct.
Agro-climatic classification places these coastal lowlands in the East Coast zone.
3
Analyze Statement 3 regarding irrigation infrastructure.
Large-scale lift irrigation points rely on grid electricity and dedicated agricultural feeders, not exclusively off-grid micro-solar systems. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Off-grid micro-solar systems are limited to small-scale individual pump sets, whereas major lift irrigation requires grid-tied high-voltage power.

Key Concept

State Natural Resources, Geological Formations, and Agro-Climatic Infrastructure
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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