Discuss how the contradiction between 'rapid infrastructure development' and 'disaster-risk reduction' in ecologically-sensitive…

Discuss how the contradiction between 'rapid infrastructure development' and 'disaster-risk reduction' in ecologically-sensitive areas of India can be managed, with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

उपयुक्त उदाहरणों सहित चर्चा कीजिए कि भारत के पारिस्थितिक रूप से संवेदनशील क्षेत्रों में 'द्रुत अवसंरचना विकास' और 'आपदा-जोखिम में कमी' के बीच के विरोधाभास का प्रबंधन किस प्रकार किया जा सकता है। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

The question as printed in the 2026 General Studies paper

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Model answer

Drafted with AI by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key. How we build rubrics and answers.

Rapid infrastructure in fragile zones often raises disaster risk. Landslides along the Char Dham all-weather road have been linked to steep, unscientific hill-cutting, and the 2023 Joshimath subsidence exposed unplanned construction, poor drainage and the alleged role of hydropower tunnelling in a seismic zone. In the Western Ghats, the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports highlight the conflict over Eco-Sensitive Zones.

Managing the Contradiction

Impact Assessments: Cumulative, basin-level EIA and carrying-capacity studies before approval; the Supreme Court (2023) has sought such studies for Himalayan towns.
Risk-Informed Planning: Build NDMA guidelines and landslide/seismic micro-zonation into project design and zoning.
Geology-first Engineering: Slope stabilisation, drainage and safe tunnelling norms; after the 2023 Silkyara tunnel collapse, safety audits of under-construction tunnels were ordered.
Resilient Standards: India-led CDRI standards, Odisha's cyclone shelters with early warning, and room for rivers in Kerala's post-2018 rebuilding show that risk-proofed growth is feasible.

Nature-based engineering and strict zoning can make infrastructure strengthen, not undermine, ecological and community resilience.

How this answer will be evaluated

Framework: GS3 Environment: threat, causes, impact, mitigation

What earns full marks: Clear contradiction, specific examples, implementable measures, strong risk-reduction focus

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

The answer Discuss, with suitable examples, how the conflict between rapid infrastructure development and disaster-risk reduction in India's ecologically-sensitive areas can be managed. 10 marks · 150 words

discuss— intro → 3-4 dimensions → example → balanced close
Must cover
- Identify the core contradiction between development and risk reduction
- Provide at least one specific example of an ecologically-sensitive area
- Suggest implementable measures for managing the contradiction
- Link measures to disaster-risk reduction specifically
Loses marks
- Generic discussion without specific examples
- Focusing only on development without addressing risk reduction
- Aspirational solutions without implementation details
Earns more
- Mentions the EIA Notification, 2006, cumulative impact assessment or Eco-Sensitive Zone notifications
- References specific projects or events in sensitive zones (Char Dham road, Joshimath, Silkyara, Western Ghats)
- Discusses institutional mechanisms (NDMA guidelines, CDRI, Supreme Court carrying-capacity directions)
- Mentions specific disaster types relevant to the area (landslides, subsidence, floods, earthquakes)
Extra mark
- Cites specific committee recommendations (Gadgil, Kasturirangan, Char Dham High Powered Committee)
- Cites a positive model of risk-proofed development (e.g., Odisha cyclone preparedness)

What "Discuss" is asking you to do

Lay the issue out from more than one side — how it arose, what is claimed for it, what is held against it, and where it now stands. UPSC attaches discuss to broad topics with several live dimensions, so coverage of the dimensions earns more than the strength of your opinion.

Structure that answers it

Set the issue up → the case as it is made → the case against → the dimension both sides leave out → where the balance now lies

Where marks are lost

Listing facts with no thread between them, or arguing one side throughout and calling it a discussion.

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