Correct Option
The correct option is (d).
Explanation
: The relocation of industries from developed to developing countries is often driven by the "Pollution Haven Hypothesis" and labor arbitrage. Developed nations, having stricter environmental regulations and higher labor costs, tend to shift hazardous, polluting, and labor-intensive industries to developing nations (like India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan) where environmental enforcement may be lax and labor is cheaper. Analysis of Industries:- 1. Pesticides: The manufacturing of pesticides involves hazardous chemicals. Due to stringent safety and environmental norms in the West, production is often outsourced or relocated to developing countries.
- 2. Asbestos: Asbestos is highly carcinogenic and has been banned or heavily restricted in many developed countries. Consequently, the industry has shifted to developing nations where regulations are less prohibitive.
- 3. Processing of Zinc and Lead: The smelting and processing of heavy metals like Zinc and Lead generate significant toxic waste and air pollution. These "dirty industries" are increasingly located in the Global South to bypass the high cost of pollution control required in the Global North.
- 4. Ship-breaking: This is a prominent example of industry relocation. Ship-breaking is hazardous and labor-intensive. Major ship-breaking yards are located in Alang (India), Chittagong (Bangladesh), and Gadani (Pakistan), handling the majority of the world's retired vessels due to low labor costs and weaker enforcement of hazardous waste disposal standards.
Since all four industries fit the criteria of hazardous or polluting sectors being relocated to South Asia, all statements are correct.
Key Takeaway: The global shift of manufacturing often involves the migration of "dirty industries" (hazardous chemicals, heavy metals, ship-breaking) from developed to developing regions to minimize compliance costs related to environmental protection and labor safety.