QUESTION 22
GS3
10 marks
What are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of GO and NO-GO zones for coal mining sector.
WRITE IN
7 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Explain the consequences of illegal mining and the Go/No-Go zoning of coal blocks.
What; DiscussAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Consequences: revenue loss, deforestation, water and air pollution, tribal displacement, mining mafias, political corruption, LWE funding≈35 words
- 2Examples: Bellary (Karnataka), Goa, Odisha iron ore≈35 words
- 3Go/No-Go (2009-10): MoEF and Coal Ministry mapped nine coalfields; dense forest blocks (high forest cover) barred, rest open≈35 words
- 4Fate: criticised by coal ministry for blocking reserves; diluted, replaced by 'inviolate forests' idea≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
ConsequencesExamplesGo/No-Go concept and criteriaCriticismBalance
Where marks usually go
- Not explaining what Go/No-Go meant
- Generic environmental points only
Draw this
- Map of coalfields overlaid with dense forest areas
Value addition
- CommissionJustice M.B. Shah Commission (2010) probed illegal iron and manganese mining in Goa, Odisha, Jharkhand.MoMines
- CaseCommon Cause v Union of India (2017): Odisha miners to pay 100% value of ore mined without clearance.Supreme Court, 2017
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 17 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 15 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 41 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 41 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.