Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples. (UPSC IAS Mains 2020 General Studies Paper – 1)
The iron and steel industries were historically located close to sources of raw materials such as iron ore, coal, and limestone. However, in recent decades, we have seen a trend towards the relocation of these industries away from raw material sources. This has been driven by a number of factors, including changes in technology, transportation infrastructure, and the availability of other resources. Here are some examples to illustrate this trend:
- Japan: Japan is one of the world''s largest producers of steel, but it has relatively few domestic sources of iron ore and coal. As a result, the country has developed a sophisticated transportation infrastructure to import these raw materials from other countries. Today, many of Japan''s major steel producers are located near ports and other transportation hubs, rather than near sources of raw materials.
- India: India has significant reserves of iron ore and coal, but these resources are unevenly distributed across the country. As a result, the country''s steel industry has developed in regions where transportation infrastructure is well-developed and other resources are abundant. For example, the state of Odisha is a major producer of iron ore and has become a hub for the steel industry due to its proximity to ports and abundant supplies of coal.
- China: China is the world''s largest producer of steel and has developed a highly centralized steel industry that is largely based on imported raw materials. The country''s steel industry is concentrated in a few regions, including Hebei, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia, which are located near major ports and transportation hubs.
These examples illustrate how changes in technology, transportation infrastructure, and resource availability have led to the relocation of iron and steel industries away from raw material sources. While this trend has brought some advantages in terms of cost and efficiency, it has also created new challenges related to environmental impacts, labor conditions, and supply chain resilience. Therefore, it is important for policymakers and industry leaders to consider the long-term implications of industrial relocation and ensure that it is managed in a sustainable and equitable manner.
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