Mineral and Energy Resources — NCERT Solutions

Given: Non-ferrous metals and their spatial distribution in India.

Answer:

Non-Ferrous Metals: Non-ferrous metals are those that do not contain iron as a major component. Important non-ferrous metals found in India include copper, bauxite (aluminium), lead, zinc, and gold.

Spatial Distribution:

1. Copper:

• Major deposits are found in Singhbhum district (Jharkhand), Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), and Jhunjhunu and Alwar districts of Rajasthan.

2. Bauxite (Aluminium ore):

• Found in Odisha (Kalahandi, Sambalpur), Jharkhand (Ranchi, Lohardaga), Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

3. Lead and Zinc:

• Rajasthan is the leading producer; the Zawar mines near Udaipur are the most important. Also found in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

4. Gold:

• Karnataka (Kolar and Hutti gold fields) is the most important gold-producing state. Small amounts are also found in Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand.

India's reserves of copper, lead, and zinc are relatively meagre, making conservation and recycling of scrap metals very important.

Given: Definition and types of non-conventional sources of energy.

Answer:

Non-Conventional Sources of Energy are those sources of energy that are renewable, inexhaustible, and environment-friendly. They are alternatives to conventional fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas) and help reduce pollution and dependence on exhaustible resources.

Main Non-Conventional Sources of Energy:

1. Solar Energy: Energy obtained from sunlight using photovoltaic cells or solar thermal collectors. India, being a tropical country, has immense solar energy potential.

2. Wind Energy: Energy generated by harnessing the power of wind through wind turbines. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra are leading states.

3. Tidal/Wave Energy: Energy derived from ocean tides and waves.

4. Geothermal Energy: Heat energy obtained from the interior of the Earth. Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh) and Puga Valley (Ladakh) are potential sites.

5. Bio-energy: Energy derived from biological products such as agricultural residues, municipal waste, and biomass. Example: Okhla plant in Delhi converts municipal waste into energy.

6. Hydel Power (Small): Small hydroelectric projects are also considered non-conventional.

These sources are crucial for sustainable development and energy security.

Given: Petroleum resources of India.

Introduction:
Petroleum (mineral oil) is one of the most important sources of energy in the modern world. It is used as fuel for transport, as raw material for petrochemical industries, and for generating thermal power. In India, petroleum is found in sedimentary rock formations.

Geological Occurrence:
Petroleum is found in anticlines and fault traps in sedimentary rocks. In India, the major oil-bearing regions are:

1. North-Eastern Region:

• This is the oldest petroleum-producing region of India.
• Digboi in Assam is the oldest oil field in Asia, discovered in 1889.
• Other important fields: Naharkatiya, Moran-Hugrijan (Assam), and fields in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
• The Oil India Limited (OIL) operates in this region.

2. Mumbai High (Western Offshore):

• Discovered in 1973, Mumbai High (now called Mumbai High) is the largest oil-producing region in India, located off the coast of Maharashtra in the Arabian Sea.
• It accounts for the largest share of India's total petroleum production.
• Other offshore fields: Bassein and Satellite fields.

3. Gujarat:

• Important oil fields are located at Ankleshwar, Kalol, Mehsana, Nawagam, Kosamba, and Lunej.
• Ankleshwar is the most important oil field in Gujarat.

4. Krishna-Godavari Basin:

• Located in Andhra Pradesh, this basin has significant oil and gas reserves.
• The Ravva offshore field is important here.

5. Cauvery Basin:

• Located in Tamil Nadu and the offshore area, with fields at Narimanam and Kovilappal.

6. Rajasthan:

• Recent discoveries have been made in Barmer district (Mangala, Aishwarya fields), making Rajasthan an emerging petroleum-producing state.

Refining:
India has several oil refineries including those at Digboi, Guwahati, Barauni, Koyali (Vadodara), Mathura, Panipat, Mumbai, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, and Mangaluru.

Challenges:

• India's domestic production meets only a fraction of its demand.
• India imports a large quantity of crude oil, mainly from West Asian countries.
• There is a need to explore new reserves and develop alternative energy sources.

Conclusion:
Petroleum is a strategic resource for India. Efficient use, conservation, and exploration of new reserves are essential for energy security.

Given: Hydel power resources and development in India.

Introduction:
Hydel power (hydroelectric power) is electricity generated by harnessing the energy of flowing or falling water. It is a clean, renewable, and inexhaustible source of energy. India has enormous potential for hydroelectric power generation due to its numerous rivers, especially in the Himalayan and Peninsular regions.

Potential for Hydel Power:

• India has an estimated hydroelectric potential of about 1,45,000 MW (megawatts).
• However, only a fraction of this potential has been harnessed so far.
• The Himalayan river systems (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra) and the Peninsular rivers (Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery) offer great potential.

Advantages of Hydel Power:

1. It is a renewable source of energy — water is replenished by the hydrological cycle.
2. It does not cause air pollution as no fuel is burned.
3. Multipurpose river valley projects provide irrigation, flood control, and navigation in addition to power generation.
4. Low operating costs once the dam is constructed.
5. It helps in the development of backward regions.

Major Hydroelectric Power Projects in India:

Regional Distribution:

• Himalayan Region: The fast-flowing Himalayan rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Chenab, Ganga, Brahmaputra) have immense potential. Projects like Bhakra-Nangal and Tehri are located here.
• Peninsular Region: The Western Ghats rivers (Sharavati, Periyar) and Deccan rivers (Krishna, Godavari, Mahanadi) are important. Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh are leading producers.
• North-East India: The Brahmaputra and its tributaries have the largest untapped hydroelectric potential in India.

Challenges:

1. Displacement of people due to submergence of land by reservoirs.
2. Environmental concerns — loss of forests, biodiversity, and disruption of river ecosystems.
3. High initial cost of construction of dams.
4. Silting of reservoirs reduces their capacity over time.
5. Seismic risks in some regions.

Conclusion:
Hydel power is a vital component of India's energy mix. With increasing demand for clean energy and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, India must harness its vast hydroelectric potential in an environmentally sustainable manner. Proper planning, rehabilitation of displaced people, and environmental impact assessment are essential for the responsible development of hydel power in India.