The correct answer is: a) Large-scale industrial development.
Sikkim is a mountainous state in India with a population of about 700,000 people. The state has a land area of about 7,000 square kilometers, of which only about 10% is flat land. This limited availability of flat land poses a challenge to large-scale industrial development.
Industrial development requires a lot of space for factories, warehouses, and other infrastructure. Sikkim simply does not have the space to accommodate large-scale industrial development. This is a major obstacle to the state’s economic development.
The other options are not as affected by the limited availability of flat land. Mining activities can be carried out in mountainous areas, as long as there are suitable deposits of minerals. Development of transport infrastructure can also be carried out in mountainous areas, as long as there are suitable routes for roads and railways. Hydropower projects can also be built in mountainous areas, as long as there are suitable rivers to dam.
In conclusion, the limited availability of flat land in Sikkim poses a challenge to large-scale industrial development. This is a major obstacle to the state’s economic development.