Recently, Uttarakhand Government granted in-Principle approval for Netala bypass project in the fragile Bhagirathi Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) despite previous rejections by the Supreme Court's high-powered committee (HPC) due to ecological and social concerns.
Concerns with the Project
- Though the Ministry of Defence has classified the project as strategically important, concerns persist regarding project’s environmental impact.
- The recent Dharali flash flood and expert analysis strongly indicate that the proposed bypass alignment is prone to slope instability and subsidence, with a segment already collapsing during the flood.
- The decision highlights a potential conflict between national security/strategic project designations and environmental protection mandates, particularly in fragile ecological zones.
The Development vs. Environment Debate
- Arguments for developmental parity: Economic development is crucial for reducing poverty and hunger; increasing population demands more utilization of resources, without people, saving the environment becomes moot, etc.
- Arguments for environmental parity: Development becomes meaningless if the environment, which sustains life, is destroyed beyond recovery; even minor developmental activities, when combined, lead to major environmental degradation, etc.
- Drivers of environmental degradation: Economic growth imperatives, large-scale developmental projects, industrial zones and Special Economic Zones, urbanization, policy loopholes such as bypassing Environmental Impact Assessments to fast-track environmental clearances, etc.
Sustainable Development Approaches
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