GS4 (Case study)
You are studying a remote tribe. They consider their territory to be very important and don’t want to move away from there. It has cultural significance and its loss would deal a huge blow to their culture. Somehow you come to realise that the location also has rich uranium reserves. There is intense global warming and carbon neutral sources such as nuclear power are very important at that time. These reserves would be very important for the nation. What would your course of action be?
Best answer
Ashutosh Namdeo wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)
Development and tribal culture and environment have been at the loggerheads ever since India has quickened on its growth path. Policymakers have attempted to walk this tightrope by striking a balance between the two and same would be my intention as I approach this case
Before moving any further I will ascertain my finding and if needed take some reliable technical help
Now I have four courses in front of me
Firstly I can write to science and tech department and department of tribal affairs and leave the matter at their discretion
Pros
a)my conscience will rest assure that ultimate result of my action will be development of nation
b)tribals can bargain for hefty compensation and resettlement with the help of which they can find new and sustainable sources of livelihood
Cons
a)possible eviction of tribals without their consent
b)threat to tribal culture
Secondly, I can inform gram sabha and seek its opinion
Pros
a)gram sabha can make informed choice as regards the future of their own culture
b)I will have the option of putting forward the argument of national need before them thus setting in a process of introspection
c)gram sabha can decide its terms and condition and comprehensive letter can be sent to department
Cons
a)possibility that gram sabha will sideline all deliberation
b)fear psychosis may set amidst the tribals in anticipation of losing their land and thus creating unrest
c)gram sabha takes an extremist stand and prepare themselves to resort to all possible measures if they are forced out of their land
d)there is a possible threat to my life
Thirdly I can start a process of trust building with tribals and identify a few informed individuals among them and try to set in process of dialogue through them
Pros
a)tribals will not make any knee jerk reaction
b)chances of some halfway solutions from the dialogue that sets in
Cons
a)tribals can pressurise me not to disclose the information
Fourthly, I can write to some qualified sociologist who has experience of working with these tribals and seek his help in charting the future course
Pros
a)smoother dialogue and more fruitful outcomes
b)I will be better informed of the consequences in event of writing to government departments
Cons
a)possibility of information leak and its misuse
As a citizen my country i have a civic duty to use my knowledge for its betterment but a human being I have moral duty to be equally sensitive to the rights of fellow beings. Thus keeping full faith and trust in government and its commitment to ensure welfare of every citizen I will take the fourth course whereby I will ensure that both gram sabha and government gets informed.
