The correct option is Ladakh.
Explanation
Resource planning in India addresses the uneven distribution of resources across different regions. While some regions are self-sufficient, others face acute shortages of vital resources despite possessing other unique advantages such as cultural significance or specific energy potentials.Detailed Analysis:
- Ladakh (Correct): According to standard Indian geography, the cold desert of Ladakh is relatively isolated from the rest of the country. It is explicitly identified as having a very rich cultural heritage but is deficient in water, infrastructure, and vital minerals. This specific contrast is a classic example used to illustrate the need for balanced resource planning.
- Kutch: While it is an arid region deficient in water, it is not deficient in minerals. The region is known for deposits of lignite, bauxite, gypsum, and limestone.
- Rayalaseema: This region in Andhra Pradesh is a rain-shadow area (water deficient) but is rich in minerals such as high-grade limestone, barytes, and asbestos.
- Bundelkhand: This region is drought-prone but possesses mineral resources, including the famous diamond mines of Panna and extensive granite deposits.
Key Takeaway:
Ladakh is the specific region cited in Indian economic geography as being rich in cultural heritage but deficient in water, infrastructure, and vital minerals.