2016 · GS Paper 3 · Q14 · 12 marks
Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which always attracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects.
In short
Mitigation means minimising land take through social impact assessment, consent and land pooling, then resettling communities with fair compensation and livelihoods before eviction. The RFCTLARR Act 2013 pays up to four times rural market value and requires 80% consent for private projects.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 271 words
Avoid and Minimise
A Social Impact Assessment and an expert group test public purpose and whether the land sought is the bare minimum, as the World Commission on Dams (2000) urged.
Prior Consent
Private projects need 80% and PPP projects 70% consent, and PESA and the Forest Rights Act empower gram sabhas, as the Niyamgiri judgment (2013) showed.
Alternatives to Acquisition
Land pooling in Amaravati (2015) and Pune's farmer-owned Magarpatta township let owners share in development instead of losing land outright.
Fair Compensation
The Act pays up to four times market value in rural areas and twice in urban areas, plus a house, a job or ₹5 lakh, and a monthly subsistence grant.
Resettle Before Eviction
In *Narmada Bachao Andolan* (2000), the Supreme Court tied each rise in dam height to completed rehabilitation.
Community Resettlement
Villages move together with schools, clinics, common lands and land-for-land in irrigation commands, keeping social networks intact.
Benefit Sharing
District Mineral Foundations (2015) channel miners' royalty-linked contributions to affected areas, with social audits keeping promises enforceable.
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This chapter in the exam
Environmental Impact Assessment4 questions
Asked in 4 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2024What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details.
- 2020How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006?
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2016 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.