Discuss how the contradiction between 'rapid infrastructure development' and 'disaster-risk reduction' in ecologically-sensitive areas of India can be managed, with suitable examples.
Ecologically-sensitive areas — Himalayas, Western Ghats, coasts — face inherent tension between developmental demands and their fragile carrying capacity, as seen in Joshimath subsidence (2023), Wayanad landslides (2024) and Kedarnath floods (2013).
Managing the contradiction:
- Science-based carrying-capacity studies before sanctioning projects; Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports on the Western Ghats offer models.
- Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment for river basins (as ordered for Ganga hydro-projects) rather than project-by-project clearance.
- Nature-based solutions: bio-engineering slope stabilisation on the Char Dham road; mangrove restoration along Odisha coast reduced Cyclone Fani damage.
- Zoning and land-use regulation: Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms; No-Development Zones in eco-sensitive stretches.
- Resilient engineering: seismic-compliant tunnels (Atal Tunnel), elevated roads through wildlife corridors (NH-44 Kanha).
- Community consent and traditional knowledge integration, as in Sikkim's disaster preparedness.
- Early warning systems — Uttarakhand's landslide monitoring, GLOF alerts.
- Insurance and building codes enforced under the National Disaster Management Plan.
Development and safety are complementary when guided by ecological prudence.
Answered By:
Harsh Raj
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