UPSC Mains 2025 GS1 Q19 — Sustainable Development
Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people's needs in a country like India Comment. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Comment
- Scope keywords
- sustainable growthenvironmental protectionconflictpoor people's needscountry like India
- Implicit sub-parts
- In what specific ways do modern environmental regulations disproportionately impact the livelihood and survival of India's poor?
- Identify sectors where environmental conservation and poverty alleviation appear as a zero-sum game (e.g., forest rights, urban slums, traditional industries).
- How can India reconcile these conflicts through policy innovation (e.g., Just Transition, DBT, Green Jobs) to ensure 'Inclusive Green Growth'?
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic essay on climate change without addressing the specific trade-offs faced by the marginalized (the 'poor').
- Failing to acknowledge the paradox that while the poor are most affected by regulation, they are also most vulnerable to environmental degradation.
- Neglecting the 'India' context by failing to mention specific instances like the Forest Rights Act, NGT bans on old vehicles/industries, or coastal zone regulations.
- Providing a purely pessimistic view without offering the middle-path of 'Sustainable Development Goals' (SDGs).
- Dimensions required
- Socio-Economic (Livelihood vs. Conservation)Legal/Rights-based (Tribal rights vs. Protected Areas)Urban vs. Rural (Waste management/Slums vs. Agricultural sustainability)Policy/Ethical (Inter-generational equity vs. Intra-generational equity)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 50-60 words to establishing the 'Development-Environment' friction points. Dedicate 120 words to a balanced analysis of specific conflicts (Forestry, Mining, Urban displacement). Reserve the final 70 words for a 'Way Forward' focusing on how India can leverage green technology and social safety nets to bridge the gap.
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