Keeping the national security in mind, examine the ethical dilemmas related to controversies over environmental clearance of development projects in ecologically sensitive border areas in the country. (2025, 10 Marks)

Paper	GS Paper 4
Word Limit	150 words
Syllabus Topic	Ethical Concerns and Dilemmas in Government Institutions

Model Answer

Border areas like the Himalayas and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are both strategically vital and ecologically fragile. Roads, tunnels, ports and dams here create hard ethical choices.

Ethical Dilemmas

• Security vs sustainability: The Supreme Court allowed wider Char Dham roads (2021), citing defence needs, despite landslide risks.
• Speed vs due diligence: The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 exempts some strategic linear projects near borders from forest clearance.
• Secrecy vs transparency: Security limits public hearings and information.
• Development vs rights: Great Nicobar project raises concerns for forests and tribal communities.
• Present vs future: Intergenerational equity and disaster risks, as seen in Joshimath (2023).

Way Forward

• Expert review, strategic EIA, least-damage design and independent monitoring.

Conclusion

True national security includes ecological security. A balanced, transparent and precautionary approach serves both the nation and future generations.

Related PYQs

• In the present digital age, social media has revolutionised our way of communication and interaction. However, it has raised several ethical issues and challenges. Describe the key ethical dilemmas in this regard. (2025)
• Increased national wealth did not result in equitable distribution of its benefits. It has created only some “enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small minority at the cost of the majority.” Justify. (2017)

Also read: Civil servant as enabler and facilitator (GS4 2025)