2024 · GS Paper 3 · Q8 · 10 marks
What 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.
In short
Environmental NGOs and activists shape EIA outcomes by scrutinising reports, contesting public hearings and appealing clearances before courts and the NGT. At Niyamgiri, after the Supreme Court's 2013 ruling, all 12 gram sabhas rejected Vedanta's bauxite mine, ending the project in 2014.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 277 words
Technical Scrutiny
The Centre for Science and Environment and Kalpavriksh expose copied data and missing cumulative studies.
Litigation
The Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment helps villagers appeal clearances before the NGT under Section 16 of the NGT Act 2010.
Contested Role
A 2014 Intelligence Bureau report accused foreign-funded NGOs of stalling projects, a reminder that activism too must be accountable.
Silent Valley, Kerala
The Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad's campaign led the Centre to shelve the Kunthipuzha dam in 1983 and declare a national park in 1984.
Niyamgiri, Odisha
Dongria Kondh resistance, the Saxena Committee (2010) and the Supreme Court's 2013 ruling let 12 gram sabhas reject Vedanta's bauxite mine, which ended in 2014.
POSCO, Jagatsinghpur
The POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti's challenge led the NGT in 2012 to suspend clearance because the EIA covered only a 4 MTPA phase of a 12 MTPA plant; POSCO exited in 2017.
Sterlite, Thoothukudi
Protests against smelter expansion won a court-ordered public hearing in 2018; after police firing killed 13, the plant was closed, and the Supreme Court upheld the closure in 2024.
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This chapter in the exam
Environmental Impact Assessment4 questions
Asked in 4 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2020How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006?
- 2016Rehabilitation 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.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2024 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.