UPSC Mains 2024 GS3 Q8 — Environmental Impact Assessment
What role do environment NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important detais. (Answer in 150 words) 10
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- What role doCite
- Scope keywords
- environment NGOs and activistsEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA)major projects in Indiafour examples
- Implicit sub-parts
- The institutional mechanisms (Public Hearing, Litigation, Advocacy) through which NGOs intervene in the EIA process.
- The qualitative impact of these interventions on project redesign, postponement, or environmental safeguards.
- Specific case-study analysis demonstrating successful or significant modifications to EIA reports.
- The balance between environmental conservation and 'Ease of Doing Business' from the examiner's perspective.
- Common pitfalls
- Failing to provide 'all important details' (location, specific NGO name, year, and specific project outcome) for the four examples.
- Writing a generic essay on pollution instead of focusing strictly on the 'EIA process' (pre-screening, public hearing, appraisal).
- Over-criticizing the government without acknowledging the legal framework (EIA Notification 2006) that enables these interventions.
- Missing the 150-word limit by being too verbose on the 'role' and leaving no space for the 'four examples'.
- Dimensions required
- Legal-ProceduralSocial-Democratic (Public Participation)Ecological-ScientificJudicial (Green Tribunals)
- Marks allocation hint
Dedicate 30-40 words to the introductory role of NGOs in public hearings and technical scrutiny. Reserve 100-110 words for the four specific examples (approx. 25 words each) to ensure the 'all important details' requirement is met. Use a final sentence to summarize the necessity of inclusive EIA for sustainable development.
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