QUESTION 2(b)
GS4
10 marks
Keeping the national security in mind, examine the ethical dilemmas related to controversies over environmental clearance of development projects in ecologically sensitive border areas in the country.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Examine the ethical dilemmas when projects in ecologically fragile border areas need fast clearance for national security.
ExamineGo into the details, test each point against evidence, and conclude on what it shows.
Demand-wise check
- 1Dilemma 1: national security vs ecological protection (Himalayan roads, tunnels)≈30 words
- 2Dilemma 2: speed vs due process and public consultation≈30 words
- 3Dilemma 3: rights of local and tribal communities vs strategic needs; intergenerational justice≈30 words
- 4Resolution: strategic environmental assessment, mitigation, transparency where possible, independent monitoring≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
ContextDilemmas with examplesWays to balanceConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Taking only one side
- No real example from border areas
Draw this
- Balance scale: security vs ecology, with mitigation in the middle
Value addition
- CaseSupreme Court (Dec 2021) allowed widening of Char Dham roads for defence needs, with an oversight committee.Supreme Court of India, Citizens for Green Doon v Union of India
- LawForest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 exempts linear projects of national importance within 100 km of borders from forest clearance.Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
- G Sanjana · AIR 55 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Vidushi Singh · AIR 13 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aakash Garg · AIR 5 · Page 7 ↗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.