Instructions

Read the following case and choose the best alternative Guruji's guidance

Bhola, an avid nature lover, wanted to be an entrepreneur. He dreamt of establishing a chain of huts in Chatpur region to cater to tourists, who came attracted by the beauty and splendour of the Himalayas.

However, he was appalled by current degradation of the Himalayan environment. He remembered the early times when everything was so green, clean and peaceful. Now, greenery was replaced by buildings, peace was shattered by honking of vehicles and flocking of tourists, and cleanliness was replaced by heaps of plastics.

Bhola had a strong sense of right and wrong. On speaking to few locals about the issue, he realized that the locals were aware of these issues. However, they pointed out the benefits of development: pucca houses for locals, higher disposable income and with that, ability to send their children to better schools and colleges, better road connectivity, and access to latest technology in agriculture. Most locals wanted the development to continue.

Saddened by the lack of support from the locals, Bhola took up the issue with the government. He met the chief minister of the state to find out if government could regulate the developmental activities to prevent environmental degradation. However, the chief minister told Bhola that such an action would slow down the economic progress. That also meant loss of substantial tax revenues for the government.

Bhola needed to resolve the dilemma. Bhola always wanted to be an entrepreneur, who could contribute to the society and earn money as well. However, his business would also be responsible for destroying environment. If he did not set up His business, he would not be able to earn money and contribute to the society.

After mulling over the issues, he went to his mentor "Guruji". Guruji realized that it was really a difficult puzzle: if one saves the environment, there seems to be no development and if the people and the government sought development, the environment and hence future of this planet and human beings was at stake. After careful thought, he felt that the dilemma could be resolved. He fixed up a meeting with Bhola to answer Bhola's queries.

Question 1

Should Bhola still think of doing business?

Solution

It is given that Bhola wants to earn money which is necessary for living. So, he should start his business. However, he is concerned about the environment. So, he must ensure minimal, if not zero, damage to the environment. Option C is the most relevant in this context.

Question 2

Bhola wanted to advise the government about the new tourism policy. Bhola had developed a few alternatives as given below. Choose the best alternative.

Solution

Option A is too extreme because both the Government as well as local people want development.
Option B is also extreme because forgetting about the environment would be disastrous and Bhola does not want that.
Between option C and option D, D is a better choice because in option D, it is mentioned that the government would work in coordination with private entities so that there would not be any harm to any of the parties involved. Option C talks about giving total control in the hands of government which might strangle the prospects of private enterprises.
Option E is holding government responsible for the degradation of environment which is not correct as people are also equally responsible.
Hence, option D is the correct answer.

Question 3

Bhola wished he was heading the government. He had listed down five concrete measures he would take if he were to head the government. Choose the best alternative.

Solution

The motive is to stop the degradation of the environment. So, only afforestation won't work. Steps which would discourage people from polluting the environment should be taken. Option B is correct.
Option E only mentions about rewarding those who are active in afforestation efforts, but has no provision for punishing those who pollutes the environment. Same is true for option C too.
Option D is too extreme and cannot be suggested.
Option A has two issues - It is suggesting to charge cess from all businesses without taking into consideration that some businesses might not be polluting the environment. Also, it is assuming that only business pollute environment and is not holding people responsible for it.
Hence, option B is the correct answer.

Question 4

Visualising he was heading the state government, Bhola thought of a likely problematic situation. Five years have passed. In these five years, Bhola has initiated a lot of pro-environment steps, including making people aware of the fact that it was this pristine environment which brought in tourists in the first place. Now he faced state elections. The opposition accused him of stopping development and causing unemployment under the guise of environment protection. If Bhola were to consider this accusation as a short-term battle, which option would Guruji suggest to Bhola to score a quick win?

Solution

Replying an accusation with another without proper evidence and justification will be futile. Options A and E are discarded.
Option B is not something which the opposition disagrees with. The contention is of the the increasing unemployment and not regarding the effectiveness of Bhola's policies.
Between options C and D, option C is better because it considers the overall employment while option D considers employment in a specific cleaning drive.
Hence, option C is the correct answer.