UPSC Mains 2025 GS Paper 2 Question Paper
Q. What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India.
ntroduction:
Environmental pressure groups are non-governmental, voluntary organizations that influence public opinion and policy for environmental protection and sustainable development.
- Meaning & Features
- Organized groups outside government
- Use advocacy, campaigns, litigation
- Represent public/environmental interests
- Operate at local, national, global levels
Examples:
- Centre for Science and Environment
- Greenpeace India
- World Wide Fund for Nature
- Role in Raising Awareness
- Mass campaigns & social media outreach
- Environmental education, reports, surveys
- Highlight issues:
- Air pollution, climate change, deforestation
Examples:
- CSE reports on Delhi air pollution crisis
- Chipko Movement (grassroots awareness)
- Role in Influencing Policies
- Policy advocacy, expert inputs, lobbying
- Participation in EIA processes, public hearings
- Engage with ministries, parliamentary committees
Examples:
- Contribution to National Green Tribunal (NGT) strengthening
- Inputs in climate commitments (NDCs under Paris Agreement)
- Role in Legal Activism (Judicial Intervention)
- Filing Public Interest Litigations (PILs)
- Use judiciary for enforcement of environmental rights
Key Case Laws:
- M.C. Mehta v. Union of India → pollution control measures
- Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India → Precautionary principle, Polluter Pays
- Role in Advocacy & Grassroots Mobilization
- Mobilize local communities
- Promote sustainable practices
- Resist environmentally harmful projects
Examples:
- Narmada Bachao Andolan → displacement & environmental concerns
- Save Aarey movement (urban forest protection)
- Contribution to Environmental Governance
- Strengthen participatory democracy
- Ensure accountability of state & corporations
- Promote sustainable development goals (SDGs)
- Challenges
- Funding constraints, regulatory restrictions (FCRA issues)
- Limited reach in rural areas
- Allegations of foreign influence / politicization
- Conflict with development priorities
- Way Forward
- Encourage state–NGO collaboration
- Ensure transparent funding mechanisms
- Strengthen community participation
- Integrate NGOs in policy formulation process
Conclusion:
Environmental pressure groups act as crucial intermediaries bridging citizens and the state, fostering awareness, accountability and sustainable policy-making in India.
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