QUESTION 1(a)
GS4
10 marks
What is meant by 'environmental ethics'? Why is it important to study? Discuss any one environmental issue from the viewpoint of environmental ethics.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Define environmental ethics, explain why it matters, and analyse one environmental issue through it.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Meaning: moral relationship of humans with nature - anthropocentric, biocentric, ecocentric views≈30 words
- 2Importance: intergenerational equity, rights of non-human life, climate justice, limits to growth≈30 words
- 3One issue, e.g. climate change: who caused it vs who suffers (CBDR), future generations, duty of rich nations and individuals≈30 words
- 4Indian roots: Bishnoi tradition, Article 51A(g)≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Definition and schoolsImportanceOne issue analysed ethicallyConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Discussing several issues instead of one
- Describing the issue scientifically with no ethical analysis
Draw this
- Spectrum: anthropocentric → biocentric → ecocentric
Value addition
- ThinkerAldo Leopold's 'Land Ethic' (A Sand County Almanac, 1949): a thing is right when it preserves the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community.Aldo Leopold, 1949
- ExampleIn 1730 at Khejarli (Rajasthan), 363 Bishnois led by Amrita Devi gave their lives to protect khejri trees.Bishnoi history
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aakash Garg · AIR 5 · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Vidushi Singh · AIR 13 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 3 ↗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.