UPSC Mains 2025 GS2 Q15 — Environmental Pressure Groups
What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- What areDiscuss
- Scope keywords
- environmental pressure groupsraising awarenessinfluencing policiesadvocating for environmental protectionin India
- Implicit sub-parts
- Conceptual definition of environmental pressure groups with specific Indian examples.
- The transition from grassroots activism to legal/policy intervention (litigation vs. protest).
- Critique of effectiveness vs. developmental trade-offs (The 'Development vs. Environment' dilemma).
- Institutional challenges faced by these groups like FCRA regulations or 'anti-national' branding.
- Common pitfalls
- Defining pressure groups generically without a specific environmental focus.
- Focusing only on global NGOs like Greenpeace while ignoring local movements like Chipko, Narmada Bachao Andolan, or Save Mollem.
- Describing the 'what' (awareness/policy) without the 'how' (PILs, NGT interventions, social media campaigns).
- Failing to mention the constitutional basis such as Article 51A(g) or the role of the National Green Tribunal.
- Dimensions required
- Constitutional/Legal (PILs, Art 21)Sociological (Tribal rights, grassroots mobilization)Political (Lobbying, policy drafting, electoral impact)Economic (Sustainable development vs. Ease of Doing Business)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 3 marks for a precise definition and classification of groups. Dedicate 8-9 marks to the 'Role' section, split equally across awareness, policy influence, and protection with specific case studies. Reserve the final 3 marks for a balanced conclusion on the necessity of these groups in a democracy despite regulatory frictions.
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