Community Action and Governance in Environmental Issues
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Community Action and Governance in Environmental Issues

Source: The post Community Action and Governance in Environmental Issues has been created, based on the article “Bishnois v Delhiites: Two different mindsets” published in “Down to Eat” on 28th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Environment

Context: The article highlights two cases: Salman Khan’s arrest for poaching in Jodhpur and Delhi’s failure to address pollution. It shows how community action in Jodhpur forced accountability, while Delhi’s middle class lacks involvement, worsening environmental issues. Community Action and Governance in Environmental Issues

What Happened with Salman Khan in Jodhpur in 1998?

  1. In 1998, Salman Khan, a famous actor, was arrested in Jodhpur for poaching a chinkara, an endangered species.
  2. The Bishnoi community, deeply committed to conservation, took a strong stand against the crime.
  3. Their determination, rooted in tradition, forced politicians to act, especially with state elections approaching in November 1998.
  4. This shows how community pressure can influence governance.

How Did Delhi Handle Its Pollution Problem in the Late 1990s?

  1. Delhi faced severe air pollution issues in the late 1990s. In 1996, the Centre for Science and Environment released a report, Slow Murder, exposing vehicular pollution.
  2. Following this, the Supreme Court ordered the Delhi government to phase out vehicles older than 15 years by March 31, 1998.
  3. However, during the 1998 elections, then-Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma backtracked due to political pressure from affected vehicle owners.
  4. The BJP government failed to take effective steps, and even after Verma’s resignation, his successor Sushma Swaraj also avoided tackling pollution seriously.

Why Are These Cases Important?

  1. These cases from 1998 highlight the power of community involvement. In Jodhpur, the Bishnoi community’s activism ensured Salman Khan faced the law.
  2. In Delhi, the lack of public pressure allowed pollution problems to worsen.
  3. This contrast emphasizes that strong community action is essential for enforcing environmental policies.

For detailed information on Commons and Community Governance read this article here

Question for practice:

Examine how community involvement influenced governance in addressing environmental issues in Jodhpur and Delhi in 1998.


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