What is Conflict between Development and Environmental Conservation?
Historical Background
Key Points
6 points- 1.
Development Imperatives: Focus on economic growth, poverty reduction, job creation, infrastructure development (roads, dams, industries), and improving living standards.
- 2.
Conservation Imperatives: Focus on protecting ecosystems, biodiversity, natural resources (forests, water, soil), mitigating climate change, and preventing pollution.
- 3.
Common Conflict Areas: Land use changes (deforestation for agriculture/urbanization), resource extraction (mining, logging), industrial pollution, infrastructure projects (dams, highways through forests), and tourism development in sensitive areas.
- 4.
Impacts of Unchecked Development: Habitat loss, species extinction, water and air pollution, soil degradation, climate change, and displacement of indigenous communities.
- 5.
Mitigation Strategies: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), green technologies, policy regulations, and community participation.
- 6.
Ethical Dimensions: Intergenerational equity fairness between present and future generations and intragenerational equity fairness among people of the same generation.
Visual Insights
Development vs. Environment: A UPSC Perspective
This mind map outlines the core conflict between development and environmental conservation, highlighting their imperatives, areas of clash, impacts, and strategies for reconciliation.
Development vs. Env. Conservation
- ●Development Imperatives
- ●Conservation Imperatives
- ●Common Conflict Areas
- ●Mitigation & Solutions
Development vs. Conservation: Imperatives & Sustainable Approaches
A comparative table highlighting the contrasting imperatives of development and environmental conservation, along with sustainable approaches to reconcile them.
| Aspect | Development Imperative | Conservation Imperative | Sustainable Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Economic Growth, Poverty Reduction, Job Creation | Ecosystem Protection, Biodiversity Preservation, Resource Sustainability | Sustainable Development (Brundtland Report) |
| Land Use | Urbanization, Industrial Zones, Agriculture Expansion | Habitat Preservation, Forest Cover Maintenance, Ecological Restoration | Zoning Regulations, Land Use Planning, Green Belts |
| Resource Use | Extraction for Industry & Energy (Mining, Logging) | Efficient Resource Use, Renewable Energy, Waste Reduction | Circular Economy, Resource Efficiency, EIA-based Extraction |
| Infrastructure | Roads, Dams, Power Plants, Smart Cities | Minimal Ecological Footprint, Green Infrastructure, Climate Resilience | Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Eco-friendly Designs |
| Focus | Short-term gains, immediate needs, GDP growth | Long-term ecological health, intergenerational equity, planetary boundaries | Intergenerational & Intragenerational Equity, Holistic Well-being |
Recent Developments
4 developmentsThe current news exemplifies this conflict, with the Rajasthan government's development plans for the Aravallis facing environmental opposition.
India's commitment to Net Zero emissions by 2070 and renewable energy targets.
Debates around EIA notification amendments and their potential impact on environmental safeguards.
Increased focus on Green Economy and Circular Economy models to achieve sustainable development.