Policy Contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation’ to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations. (UPSC IAS Mains 2018 General Studies Paper – 2)
In India, the policy is made by the ministries and departments in charge, who keep in mind the specific goals and results. But some government agencies that make policy are hampered by bureaucracy and lack of specialisation. This often leads to policy paralysis and policy contradictions because there are more stakeholders and parties involved. This makes it hard to protect the environment and stop it from getting worse.
Policy conflicts between different sectors and stakeholders have made it hard to protect the environment and stop it from getting worse:
- For the Ken Betwa River Linking Project, the Ministry of Water, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, and the States of UP and MP all had to give their approval. Panna Tiger Reserve and Ken River are in danger because of disagreements between different groups.
- The lack of policy integration makes it hard to grow rice because there is more silting and the risk ofvflooding.
- Policy paralysis is a problem for infrastructure projects in the North Eastern These projects involve the Ministry of Road & Transport, the Ministry of Water, and the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
- Pink Bollworm has caused crop loss in some states where Bt Cotton is grown because it attracts Pink Bollworm. The use of Bt Cotton that hasn''t been approved shows that the Ministry of Agriculture, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, seed companies, and enforcement agencies don''t work together well.
- The Department of Atomic Energy and the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change worked together on the Theni Neutrino The ecology of the Western Ghats, which is in danger, is at risk because of policy contradictions.
To solve the problem of policies that contradict each other, the following steps should be taken:
- Both the central government and the states need to improve their ability to enforce environmental laws.
- Effective communication between the different Ministries about how to include environmental concerns in the planning and start-up stages of the project.
- So that projects don''t get behind, there needs to be well-trained staff and an accurate database.
- Making the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure a better tool for protecting the environment and promoting sustainable growth.
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