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The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 25th June 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 25th June 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC

The Court Spells the Way in Himalaya’s Development 

Why in News?

It is a well-established fact that the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is both India’s water tower and also the critical provider of invaluable ecosystem goods and services. Despite this understanding, there has always been dissonance between the special development needs and the development model being pursued in the IHR. As the economy of the region is dependent on the health and the well-being of its natural resources, plundering the same in the name of development will inevitably and surely lead the IHR towards its economic ruin.

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Its Basis

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)

  • Definition: A process defined by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to identify the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project before implementation.
  • Function:
    • Compares various project alternatives.
    • Predicts and analyses possible environmental repercussions.
    • Helps decide appropriate mitigation strategies.

Basis of an EIA

  • Importance of Data: Comprehensive, reliable data is crucial for predicting future impacts.
  • Baseline Data: Essential for accurate prediction of likely impacts.

Background of EIA Mechanism in India

Precursor to the EIA

  • Initial Steps: Began in 1976-77 with the Planning Commission directing the Department of Science and Technology to assess river valley projects.
  • Expansion: Later extended to projects requiring approval from the Public Investment Board.
  • Early Environmental Clearance: Initially an administrative decision by the central government.

First EIA Notification (1994)

  • Promulgation: Issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 (EPA).
  • Requirement: Made Environmental Clearance (EC) mandatory for specified new projects and for expansion or modernization of specific activities.

EIA Notification, 2006

  • Amendments: The 1994 notification saw 12 amendments before being replaced in 2006.
  • Decentralisation: The 2006 notification decentralised the EC process, giving state governments certain powers.
  • Procedure and Set-Up: Detailed the procedure and institutional set-up for granting EC for listed projects.

Draft 2020 Notification

  • Public Comments: Floated for public comments.
  • Criticism: Criticised for being perceived as pro-industry and compromising ecological concerns.

Problems with India’s EIA Notifications

Uniform Threshold Limits

  • Issues: The same threshold limits for EIA are applied across the country, ignoring regional differences.

Special Needs of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)

  • Overlooked: The vulnerabilities and fragility of the IHR are not considered separately.
  • Draft 2020 Notification: Also failed to address the special developmental needs of the IHR.

Factors Affecting India’s EIA Mechanism

  • Flawed Graded Approach: The EIA 2006 notification's graded approach does not adequately cover the IHR.
  • Lack of National Regulator: No national-level regulator as suggested by the Supreme Court in 2011.
  • Reactionary Process: EIA often reacts to proposals rather than anticipating them, favoring the project proponent.
  • Cumulative Impact: Inadequate consideration of cumulative impacts from multiple projects in the same area.
  • Box Ticking Approach: In many cases, EIA is performed as a mere formality rather than a thorough evaluation.

Consequences for the IHR

  • Amplified Limitations: The inherent limitations of the EIA process are exacerbated in the IHR, with no consideration for its unique needs.

Other Challenges Associated with the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)

About:

  • Geographical Scope: Spread across 13 Indian States/Union Territories including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal.
  • Demographics: Home to nearly 50 million people with diverse demographic, economic, environmental, social, and political systems.
  • Attractions: Known for its towering peaks, majestic landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage, drawing visitors and pilgrims globally.

Challenges:

  1. Environmental Degradation and Deforestation:

    • Deforestation: Extensive deforestation disrupts the delicate ecological balance.
    • Construction Impact: Rampant construction for infrastructure and urbanization leads to habitat loss, soil erosion, and disrupted water flow.
  2. Climate Change and Disasters:

    • Climate Sensitivity: Highly sensitive to climate change, with rising temperatures causing glacier retreat and altering water resource availability.
    • Erratic Weather: Increased intensity of rainfall, erratic weather patterns, and prolonged dry spells impact ecosystems and local communities.
    • Natural Disasters: Susceptible to earthquakes, landslides, and flash floods.
    • Development Issues: Poorly planned development, lack of disaster-resilient infrastructure, and inadequate early warning systems amplify disaster impacts.
  3. Cultural and Indigenous Knowledge Erosion:

    • Indigenous Communities: Home to diverse indigenous communities with unique knowledge and practices.
    • Modernization Impact: Modernization can erode cultural traditions that contain valuable insights for sustainable resource management.

Way Forward:


  1. Nature-Based Tourism:

    • Sustainable Tourism: Develop sustainable and responsible tourism practices to generate income for local communities while minimizing environmental impacts.
    • Eco-Tourism: Promote eco-tourism, enforce carrying capacity limits, and raise awareness among tourists.
  2. Glacial Water Capture:

    • Innovative Water Storage: Develop methods to capture and store meltwater from glaciers during summer months.
    • Water Management: Gradually release stored water during dry periods to support agricultural needs and downstream ecosystems.
  3. Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation:

    • Comprehensive Plans: Develop comprehensive disaster management plans addressing landslides, avalanches, and glacial lake outburst floods.
    • Early Warning Systems: Invest in early warning systems, evacuation plans, and community training.
  4. Greywater Recycling for Agricultural Enrichment:

    • Recycling Systems: Implement greywater recycling systems to collect and treat household greywater for agricultural use.
    • Sustainable Irrigation: Direct treated greywater to local farms for irrigation, providing a sustainable water and nutrient source to enhance crop growth.
  5. Bio-Cultural Conservation Zones:

    • Conservation Areas: Designate specific areas as bio-cultural conservation zones to preserve both natural biodiversity and indigenous cultural practices.
    • Community-Environment Relationship: Maintain the intricate relationship between local communities and their environment through these zones.
The document The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 25th June 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC is a part of the UPSC Course Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly.
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FAQs on The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 25th June 2024 - Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC

1. How has the court influenced development in the Himalayas?
Ans. The court has played a significant role in shaping development in the Himalayas through its decisions and interventions in various environmental and developmental issues in the region.
2. What are some key factors that the court has considered in its decisions related to Himalayan development?
Ans. The court has considered factors such as environmental sustainability, ecological balance, and the rights of local communities while making decisions related to development in the Himalayas.
3. How has the court's involvement impacted the balance between development and conservation in the Himalayas?
Ans. The court's involvement has helped maintain a balance between development activities and conservation efforts in the Himalayas by ensuring that environmental concerns are taken into account in all development projects.
4. What are some examples of landmark court rulings that have influenced development in the Himalayas?
Ans. Some examples of landmark court rulings include decisions related to mining activities, hydropower projects, and infrastructure development in the Himalayan region.
5. How have local communities in the Himalayas responded to the court's decisions on development issues?
Ans. Local communities in the Himalayas have often welcomed the court's decisions as they have helped protect their rights, environment, and way of life from potentially harmful development projects.
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