(a) Discuss the importance of solar energy in future economic development of India. 20 (b) Critically examine the importance of…

(a) Solar energy and India's future economic development

India lies in the tropics and receives about 300 sunny days a year, so its solar potential is large (estimates run to several hundred GW). Solar power has moved from a marginal source to a main pillar of India's energy plan.

Importance:

• Energy security: solar cuts imports of coal, oil and gas, and so the import bill, and uses a domestic resource.
• Climate and the NDC: it supports the target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net zero by 2070. The International Solar Alliance (2015) gives India a global lead.
• Falling cost: solar tariffs in auctions have fallen below those of new thermal plants, which helps industry and the power sector.
• Rural and farm gains: off-grid and rooftop systems, and solar pumps and feeder solarisation under PM-KUSUM, lighten farm power bills and give farmers income; PM Surya Ghar scheme aims at rooftop solar for one crore households.
• Jobs and manufacturing: installation, operation and module production, backed by production-linked incentives.
• Regional development: solar parks such as Bhadla (Rajasthan) and Pavagada (Karnataka) bring investment to dry regions.

Challenges: land and water needs, intermittency and the need for storage and grid upgrades, dependence on imported cells and modules, and disposal of panels. Storage, domestic manufacture, and transmission planning are needed to make solar the base of growth.

(b) Smart Cities Mission and urban problems

The Smart Cities Mission (2015) chose 100 cities to improve core infrastructure and quality of life through smart solutions. Projects were area-based, covering a part of a city, or pan-city, applying ICT across it.

Contribution: integrated command and control centres in all 100 cities to monitor traffic, safety and services; improved water supply and waste management, smart metering and drainage; pedestrian-friendly streets, public spaces and transport; and better e-governance.

Criticism: the focus on small enclaves left most of the city, and the urban poor and slums, unaffected; special purpose vehicles took decisions away from elected municipal bodies, against the spirit of the 74th Amendment; the technology-led approach neglected basic services, housing and jobs; funds were slow to be used and private investment was low; and there was little evidence of lasting improvements outside the project areas.

Assessment: it brought data, integrated planning and some visible improvements, but did not solve urban problems at scale. Strengthening municipal finances and capacity, and extending good practice city-wide, are essential.

(c) Ecotourism, socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation

Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people.

Socio-economic gains: jobs as guides, drivers, boatmen and craft sellers; homestays, as in Sikkim and Kerala, which bring income to households and women's groups; development of local roads, schools and services; and recognition of local culture.

Biodiversity gains: entry fees and tourism revenue fund park management; local people gain a stake in protecting wildlife and cut poaching and forest cutting, as in the eco-development committees at Periyar; and tourists gain awareness. Kaziranga, Sundarbans, Great Himalayan National Park and Spiti are known examples.

Risks: crowding beyond carrying capacity, waste, disturbance to animals, unplanned resorts, and leakage of income to outside operators. The remedy is carrying-capacity limits, community ownership, regulated numbers and guidelines such as the 2022 ecotourism guidelines of the environment ministry.