Why in the News?

The Uttarakhand Government recently granted in-principle approval for the Netala bypass in the fragile Bhagirathi Eco-sensitive Zone, despite earlier rejections by the Supreme Court's high-powered committee over ecological and social concerns.

More on the News

• Though the Ministry of Defence has classified the project as strategically important, concerns persist regarding project's impact.
• The recent Dharali flash flood and expert analysis strongly indicate that the proposed bypass alignment is prone to slope instability and subsidence.
• The decision highlights a potential conflict between national security/strategic project designations, sustainable development and people's needs.

Why is there conflict between Sustainable Development and People's needs?

• Economic Dependence of People on Natural Resources:
  • Livelihood Reliance: Tribals, pastoralists, small farmers depend on forests, rivers, and grazing lands. E.g. National Parks restrict practices like grazing. 
  • Small business: Shutting down polluting industries like brick kilns or enforcing stricter regulations in the textile sectors reduces job opportunities for daily wage earners.
• Development and Displacement: More than 40% of the tribal population is being displaced by developmental activities like large Dam projects, renewable energy projects, etc. 
• For protecting national interest: E.g., the Environment Ministry has exempted critical and atomic mineral mining from public consultation under the 2006 EIA Notification.
  • Also, Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Amendment Rules, 2025, provide special dispensation to critical minerals sector for compensatory afforestation
• Policy and Governance Gaps:
  • Top-Down Decision Making: Environmental regulations are often designed without local participation, ignoring poor people's needs.
  • Weak Social Safety Nets: No direct support during "transition periods" (e.g., seasonal fishing bans, mining closure).
• Environmental solutions are costly:
  • Limited Access to Cleaner Tech: Solar pumps and electric vehicles require upfront capital that poor households cannot afford.
  • Credit Constraints: Lack of affordable credit or microfinance to shift to greener livelihoods. E.g., Shifting from cheap plastic packaging after plastic ban. 

Initiatives taken by Government to reduce conflict

• The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013: It regulates land acquisition and lays down the procedure and rules for granting compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement.
  • Social Impact Assessment is mandated under this act.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): It is mandated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006: To undo the historical injustice that occurred to forest-dwelling communities.
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act (2016): Mandates using funds partly for community development.
• District Mineral Foundation (DMF), 2015: Created under the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act to channel mining revenues to local communities for health, education, and skill development.

Way Forward

• Regional & Climate-Specific Planning: Himalayas (landslide-sensitive infrastructure), Coastal Zones (mangrove buffers, cyclone shelters), Drylands (micro-irrigation, drought-resistant crops).
• Strengthen Environmental Justice System: Fast-track NGT, improve capacity of State Pollution Control Boards, and make EIAs more transparent.
• Participatory Decision-Making: E.g., Social audits can include local communities in project planning to balance needs and sustainability.
• Green Livelihood Programmes: Scale up eco-tourism, bamboo-based livelihoods, mangrove restoration, and forest produce value addition.
• Just Transition Fund: India can set up a fund for workers affected by mine closures, green shifts or seasonal bans (especially fisheries).