{"id":30299,"date":"2026-09-25T18:09:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T12:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=30299"},"modified":"2026-09-25T18:09:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T12:39:11","slug":"deccan-traps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/deccan-traps\/","title":{"rendered":"Deccan Traps, Formation, Distribution, Soil, Conservation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Deccan Traps are one of the world\u2019s largest continental flood-basalt provinces, formed mainly through extensive fissure-fed volcanic eruptions around 66 million years ago. Spread across west-central India, they consist predominantly of successive basaltic lava flows that created their characteristic step-like landscape. Their geological evolution has shaped regional soils, particularly black cotton soils and lateritic profiles, while supporting diverse forests and biodiversity, especially around the Western Ghats.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The region is also associated with zeolites, agate, chalcedony and other secondary minerals, besides providing important groundwater and construction resources. The Deccan Traps have major significance for understanding volcanism, mass extinction, geoheritage and climate processes, while basalt formations also offer potential for geological CO\u2082 storage.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps Meaning<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Deccan Traps are a vast succession of mainly tholeiitic basaltic lava flows that form a distinctive step-like landscape across parts of west-central India.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The term \u201ctrap\u201d is derived from the Swedish word trappa, meaning steps, referring to the staircase-like topography produced by successive basaltic lava flows.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Deccan Traps constitute a continental flood-basalt province, rather than a single volcano.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hundreds of lava flows were produced through fissure-fed eruptions, creating a massive layered volcanic sequence.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps Geological Background and Formation<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The geological formation of the Deccan Traps is associated with enormous basaltic eruptions during the Late Cretaceous\u2013Palaeocene transition, coinciding broadly with the Cretaceous\u2013Paleogene boundary and major tectonic changes involving the Indian plate. Major stages of formation are<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mantle plume activity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A major explanation links Deccan volcanism to a deep mantle plume or hotspot beneath the Indian plate.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The volcanism has been associated with a plume\/hotspot that is now linked to the R\u00e9union region by most geologists.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Fissure-fed eruptions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Instead of lava emerging from a single central volcanic cone, magma rose through extensive fractures and fissures in the crust.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Flood-basalt eruptions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Large volumes of low-viscosity basaltic lava spread over extensive areas, covering existing topography and producing repeated horizontal lava sheets.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Successive lava flows:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Individual flows accumulated one above another, producing the thick volcanic pile visible today.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Rapid geological emplacement:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A 2020 geochemical study concluded that more than 90% of the Deccan lavas are considered to have erupted in less than one million years, making the event exceptionally rapid on a geological timescale.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Later erosion and tectonic modification:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Subsequent uplift, erosion, rifting and subsidence removed or buried portions of the original volcanic province. Research on the Western Ghats also links laterite development and drainage patterns to the post-volcanic evolution of the region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps Distribution in India<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The distribution of the Deccan Traps is concentrated mainly in west-central India, with the thickest and best-exposed sequences occurring around the Western Ghats and adjoining plateau regions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The present-day Deccan volcanic province covers approximately 500,000 sq km, while estimates of its original extent are substantially larger because portions were subsequently eroded or submerged. Major areas associated with the Deccan volcanic province include<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maharashtra<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Madhya Pradesh<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gujarat<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Karnataka<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Telangana<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Andhra Pradesh<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">parts of Rajasthan and other adjoining regions<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The thickness of the basalt varies considerably. The succession exceeds 2,000 metres in parts of the Western Ghats, particularly around Mahabaleshwar, and exceeds 1,000 metres in some eastern parts of the province and becomes much thinner towards the southeastern margin.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30301 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/upsc-exam\/2026\/09\/24164447\/DECCAN-TRAPS.png\" alt=\"DECCAN TRAPS\" width=\"834\" height=\"776\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/upsc-exam\/2026\/09\/24164447\/DECCAN-TRAPS.png 1300w, https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/upsc-exam\/2026\/09\/24164447\/DECCAN-TRAPS-768x715.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 834px) 100vw, 834px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps Rock and Mineral Resources<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Deccan Traps are predominantly basaltic, but cavities, fractures, weathered zones and associated geological formations contain several important secondary minerals and rock materials. Major mineral occurrences.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Zeolites:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Deccan basalt cavities are particularly famous for zeolitic minerals such as stilbite, heulandite, apophyllite and scolecite.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Agate:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Vesicular basalt commonly contains agate-filled cavities and geodes.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Chalcedony:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Varieties of silica, including chalcedony and related minerals, occur in cavities and veins.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Quartz:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Quartz crystals can occur within amygdales and geodes associated with basaltic formations.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Calcite:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Calcite is among the secondary minerals associated with vesicular basalt.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Apophyllite:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Deccan region is particularly well known internationally for attractive apophyllite specimens.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Iron- and magnesium-bearing minerals:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Basalt contains minerals such as pyroxenes, plagioclase and iron-bearing phases that influence its weathering and soil-forming properties.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Construction resources: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Basalt from the Deccan region also has practical importance as building stone, road metal, aggregates, crushed stone and other construction materials.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps and Soil Formation<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The weathering of basalt has played an important role in the formation of several soil types across the Deccan region, especially the characteristic black soils associated with basaltic terrain.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Black cotton soil:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Basalt weathering contributes to the development of black soil, commonly known as regur soil, particularly across parts of the Deccan Plateau. Its important characteristics include:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">High clay content;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Considerable moisture-retention capacity;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Swelling and shrinking behaviour;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Development of deep cracks during dry periods; and<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Suitability for crops such as cotton;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The mineral composition of basalt and its subsequent weathering influence the chemical and physical properties of these soils.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Lateritic soils:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In areas receiving heavy rainfall, especially along the Western Ghats, intense weathering and leaching of basalt can contribute to the formation of lateritic profiles.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/unesco\/\" target=\"_blank\">UNESCO<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> identifies laterite development over Deccan lavas at Panchgani and laterite caps over lava flows around Mahabaleshwar.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Other soils:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Depending on climate, relief, drainage and degree of weathering, Deccan basaltic terrain can also support;<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">red-brown soils;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">shallow coarse soils;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">lateritic soils; and<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">alluvial deposits in valleys and lower-lying areas;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">red-brown and lateritic soils in some portions of the Deccan volcanic terrain and black cotton soils in lower areas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps Forests and Biodiversity<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Deccan Traps provide the geological foundation for landscapes that support diverse forest ecosystems, particularly where the volcanic terrain intersects the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Flora:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Deccan Traps, particularly around the Mahabaleshwar\u2013Panchgani region and adjoining Western Ghats, support diverse plant communities, including several endemic and regionally significant species.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Karvi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 a flowering shrub characteristic of the Western Ghats.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Recurved-fruited Dicoelospermum<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 a regionally significant plant associated with the Western Ghats.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ceylon Cotton<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 a tree species found in the region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Common Indian Mistletoe<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 a parasitic flowering plant occurring on trees.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Indian Grass species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 grasses adapted to the plateau landscape.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Indian Carpetweed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 a small herb found in dry and rocky habitats.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Polyzygus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 a regionally significant herbaceous plant.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Cooke's Grass<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 a grass species associated with the Western Ghats.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Fauna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The Deccan Traps, adjoining the Western Ghats, support a diverse range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Indian Leopard<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 an important carnivore found in forested and hilly areas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Sloth Bear<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 occurs in forest and rocky habitats of the region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Wild Boar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 commonly associated with forest and scrub\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/ecosystem\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>ecosystems<\/strong>.<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Indian Giant Squirrel<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 an important arboreal mammal of the Western Ghats.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Langurs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 occur across forested landscapes and feed mainly on leaves, fruits and other plant material.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Civets<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 nocturnal mammals associated with forest ecosystems.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mongooses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 small carnivorous mammals found in forest and scrub habitats.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Western Ghats Amphibians<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 the region supports several endemic frogs and other amphibians.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Reptiles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 snakes, lizards and other reptiles occur across the rocky and forested terrain.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Birds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 the forests support a wide variety of resident and endemic bird species.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Butterflies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 the diverse vegetation and favourable climate support numerous butterfly species.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps Importance\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The importance of the Deccan Traps extends from geological science and natural resources to agriculture, biodiversity, water resources, tourism and climate research.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Geological significance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Deccan Traps constitute one of the world's major continental flood-basalt provinces and provide an exceptional record of large-scale volcanism.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Lonar Crater:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Lonar impact crater in Maharashtra was formed in basaltic terrain of the Deccan Traps and is significant for studies of impact geology, geomorphology and basaltic rocks.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Understanding mass extinction<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The timing of Deccan volcanism around the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K\u2013Pg) boundary makes it important for studying the environmental changes associated with the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Agricultural importance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Basalt weathering has contributed to the formation of extensive black-soil regions that support agriculture, particularly cotton and other crops.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Groundwater resources:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Fractures, weathered zones and contacts between different lava flows can provide groundwater pathways and storage, making Deccan basalt important in hydrogeological studies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Biodiversity conservation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The intersection of Deccan volcanic landscapes with the Western Ghats creates important habitats containing high <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biodiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\">biodiversity<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and endemic species.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Geoheritage and tourism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani provide exceptionally accessible exposures of Deccan lava flows and have considerable geotourism and educational value.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Cultural heritage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The basaltic landscape has also supported historically significant rock-cut architecture, including the Ajanta and Ellora caves.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Carbon dioxide storage potential<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Basaltic rocks have potential for mineral trapping of CO\u2082, because reactions between injected CO\u2082, water and basaltic minerals can convert carbon into stable carbonate minerals.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>The CCUS report:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A NITI Aayog CCUS assessment estimated the theoretical CO\u2082 storage capacity of the Deccan Volcanic Province at 94\u2013243.5 Gt under one methodology and 304.88 Gt under another methodology; these are theoretical estimates subject to geological and methodological assumptions.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It also states that further studies and pilot projects are needed to better understand storage mechanisms and develop industrial-scale sequestration frameworks<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps as a Geoheritage Site<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The geoheritage significance of the Deccan Traps is increasingly recognised because the region preserves an exceptional record of ancient flood-basalt volcanism and associated geological processes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In August 2025, India submitted \u201cDeccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar\u201d to UNESCO's Tentative List. The nomination highlights its geological significance as a major flood-basalt province and its biodiversity value within the Western Ghats.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Deccan Traps are recognised by the International Union of Geological Sciences as an IUGS Geological Heritage Site for their significance in volcanology, igneous and metamorphic petrology, geochemistry, geochronology, geophysics and palaeontology.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Mahabaleshwar\u2013Panchgani landscape is particularly significant because it preserves.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">thick sequences of lava flows;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">red bole layers;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">basaltic structures;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">lateritic caps;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Western Ghats escarpments;<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">deep gorges and valleys; and<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">evidence of long-term weathering and erosion.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps and Climate Change<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The relationship between the Deccan Traps and climate change is important at both geological and contemporary scales because volcanism influenced ancient atmospheric conditions, while basalt today offers potential pathways for carbon storage.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ancient volcanic emissions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Deccan eruptions released substantial quantities of volcanic gases, including CO\u2082 and SO\u2082, potentially contributing to climatic and environmental disturbances.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Weathering and carbon cycle:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Long-term weathering of basalt consumes CO\u2082 through chemical reactions and contributes to the geological carbon cycle.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Basalt-based carbon storage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) has been assessed for its potential to store CO\u2082 through geological and mineral-trapping processes. The uploaded material estimates a theoretical DVP storage range of approximately <\/span><b>94\u2013304.88 Gt CO\u2082<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, subject to the underlying assumptions and methodology.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Need for pilot projects:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The uploaded material specifically indicates that further studies and pilot tests are required to understand basalt storage mechanisms and develop industrial-scale sequestration <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/infrastructure\/\" target=\"_blank\">infrastructure<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps Challenges<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The conservation challenges arise from both natural geomorphic processes and growing human pressure on geological and ecological landscapes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Quarrying and rock extraction:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Removal of basalt for construction material can damage scientifically valuable exposures and geological features.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Unregulated quarrying and mineral extraction: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Extraction of basalt, secondary minerals and decorative stones can damage geological exposures and geoheritage.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Urbanisation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Expansion of settlements and infrastructure can cover or modify important geological exposures.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tourism pressure:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani attract large numbers of visitors, creating pressure on land, water, vegetation and waste-management systems.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Road and infrastructure construction:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Excavation and slope modification can disturb geological exposures and increase erosion.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Forest degradation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Conversion or fragmentation of natural habitats can reduce the ecological value of basaltic landscapes.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Soil erosion:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Intense rainfall on steep Western Ghats slopes can accelerate erosion of weathered basalt and lateritic surfaces.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Landslides:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Heavy rainfall, slope modification and geological discontinuities can increase slope instability.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Groundwater stress:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Excessive extraction can affect groundwater availability in basaltic aquifers.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Climate change:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Changes in rainfall intensity, temperature and extreme events can alter erosion, weathering, groundwater recharge and ecosystem conditions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Weak geoheritage awareness:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Geological sites can be overlooked because conservation policies often focus more strongly on biological or cultural heritage.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps Way Forward<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conservation of the Deccan Traps requires an integrated approach that protects geological exposures while maintaining biodiversity, livelihoods, tourism and scientific research.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Identify and map geoheritage sites:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Important lava sections, red boles, laterite surfaces, mineral localities and geomorphic features should be systematically documented.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthen legal protection:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Particularly valuable geological exposures should receive appropriate geoheritage or protected-site status.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Regulate quarrying:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Mining and quarrying should be restricted around scientifically important geological exposures.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Develop geological parks:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Selected sites can be developed as geoparks with interpretation centres, trails, museums and educational facilities.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Promote responsible geotourism:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Tourism infrastructure should follow carrying-capacity principles and minimise damage to geological and ecological features.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Conserve surrounding forests:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Geological conservation should be integrated with Western Ghats biodiversity conservation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Improve groundwater management:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Hydrogeological mapping of basaltic aquifers can support sustainable groundwater extraction and recharge.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthen scientific research:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Continued research in volcanology, geochemistry, geochronology, palaeomagnetism, groundwater and CO\u2082 mineralisation can improve understanding of the province.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Develop climate-resilient management:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Erosion, landslides, extreme rainfall and changing hydrological conditions should be incorporated into regional planning.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Increase public awareness:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Schools, universities, tourism institutions and local communities can be involved in geoheritage education.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Western Ghats Conservation Framework Relevant to the Deccan Landscape<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP\/Gadgil Committee) and the High Level Working Group (HLWG\/Kasturirangan Committee) are relevant to the Western Ghats portions of the Deccan landscape.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>WGEEP\/Gadgil Committee<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The WGEEP was constituted to identify ecologically sensitive areas and recommend measures for conservation, protection and rejuvenation of the Western Ghats.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Its recommendations covered sectors including mining, tourism, land use, infrastructure, water resources, agriculture and power.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>HLWG\/Kasturirangan Committee<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The Kasturirangan-led HLWG subsequently examined the WGEEP recommendations and proposed an approach focused on protecting the Western Ghats' natural landscapes while considering sustainable development and local livelihoods.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The HLWG recommended identifying about 37% of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Area and proposed restrictions including no new mining of major minerals, quarrying or sand mining in the ESA, along with restrictions on certain high-impact projects.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deccan Traps UPSC PYQs<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Q1. Discuss the natural resource potentials of the Deccan Traps. <\/span><b>(UPSC Mains 2022)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Q2. The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of: <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2021)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a) Brown forest soil<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">b) Fissure volcanic rock<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">c) Granite and schist<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">d) Shale and limestone<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (b)<\/b><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Deccan Traps are one of the world\u2019s largest continental flood-basalt provinces, formed through extensive fissure-fed volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Read about formation and distribution. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":30373,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,24],"tags":[2068,40,620],"class_list":["post-30299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upsc-notes","category-upsc-geography-notes","tag-deccan-traps","tag-quest","tag-upsc-geography-notes"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30299","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30299"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30299\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30368,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30299\/revisions\/30368"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30373"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30299"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}