QUESTION 8
GS3
10 marks
What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss how environmental NGOs and activists influence EIA outcomes, with four detailed examples.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Channels: public hearings, comments on EIA reports, RTI, litigation before NGT and courts, media campaigns, scientific studies≈35 words
- 2Four examples with details: Silent Valley (1970s–80s, project dropped 1983), Niyamgiri (Vedanta bauxite, 2013 Gram Sabhas rejected), Aarey Colony metro car shed (Mumbai), Hasdeo Arand coal mining (Chhattisgarh), Great Nicobar project, Mopa or Lavasa≈35 words
- 3Limits: public hearing dilution, EIA Notification 2020 draft concerns, post-facto clearances≈35 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
EIA process and entry pointsFour examples (project, place, issue, outcome)LimitsConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Giving fewer than four examples or examples without details
- Not explaining how NGOs enter the EIA process
Draw this
- Table: project → state → NGO role → outcome
Value addition
- Case lawOrissa Mining Corporation v. MoEF (2013): Gram Sabhas of Dongria Kondh villages were allowed to decide; all 12 rejected Vedanta's mining.Supreme Court of India, 2013
- ExampleCampaigns by scientists and the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad led to the Silent Valley hydroelectric project being dropped and the area declared a National Park (1984).Kerala Forest Department / Silent Valley National Park
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 ↗Reviewed PYQ 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.