Environmental Governance Challenges in Digital Infrastructure Projects
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Highlights the trade-offs between technological advancement and environmental sustainability, the effectiveness of environmental regulations, and the complexities of federal environmental governance in India. It is a critical aspect of sustainable development.
Environmental governance refers to the rules, institutions, and processes that regulate human interactions with the environment. Large-scale digital infrastructure projects, such as hyperscale data centers, pose significant environmental challenges related to resource consumption (power, water) and pollution, necessitating robust environmental impact assessments and regulatory oversight.
Facts & tables
- High Resource Demand
- Hyperscale data centres have massive power (e.g., 1 GW) and water (e.g., 20 million litres/day) requirements.
- Pollution Concerns
- Backup diesel generators contribute to local air pollution and microclimate changes.
- Regulatory Bypass
- Allegations of sidestepping full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and public hearings.
- Policy Gaps
- State-level incentives (tax holidays, power subsidies) often lack environmental benchmarks or 'green' capacity targets.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Environmental Law & Policy |
| Conceptual area | Waste Management & Water Pollution |
| Conceptual area | Air Pollution & Emissions |
| Conceptual area | Federal Structure & Centre-State Relations |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh State Government | Approves projects |
| Central Government | Regulates |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- High power (1 GW) and water (20 MLD) demands.
- Backup diesel generators cause air pollution.
- Concerns over sidestepping EIA and public hearings.
- Lack of environmental benchmarks in state incentives.
- Need for central oversight and standardized safeguards.
Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2019 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2016 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
Timeline
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Environmental Law & Policy
Conceptual area
-
Waste Management & Water Pollution
Conceptual area
-
Air Pollution & Emissions
Conceptual area
-
Federal Structure & Centre-State Relations
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2016
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2017
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2019
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions
-
Vizag data centre is a major challenge
The rapid expansion of digital infrastructure, particularly hyperscale data centres, presents significant environmental governance challenges due to their immense power and water demands, reliance on fossil fuel backups, and potential for regulatory bypasses like inadequate EIAs, underscoring the need for stronger environmental safeguards and integrated policy.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2016–2023 · 8 questions
In the news
Vizag data centre is a major challenge
The rapid expansion of digital infrastructure, particularly hyperscale data centres, presents significant environmental governance challenges due to their immense power and water demands, reliance on fossil fuel backups, and potential for regulatory bypasses like inadequate EIAs, underscoring the need for stronger environmental safeguards and integrated policy.
Try these PYQs
With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements :
1. None of them uses seawater.
2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district.
3. None of them is privately owned.
How many of the above statements are correct?
* Statement 1 is incorrect: The Mundra Thermal Power Plant employs a closed-cycle induced draft circulating cooling water system that utilises seawater. Seawater is drawn from the Gulf of Kutch through robust glass reinforced pipes of significant diameter. In addition, purified seawater from a reverse osmosis plant is utilised by various supplementary systems. * Statement 2 is incorrect: According to recent research by WRI (World Resources Institute), 40 percent of India's thermal power plants are situated in regions experiencing significant water stress. This poses a challenge as these plants rely on water for cooling purposes. The scarcity of water is already causing disruptions in electricity generation in these areas, with 14 out of India's 20 largest thermal utilities having experienced at least one shutdown between 2013 and 2016 due to water shortages. * Statement 3 is incorrect: India has a total of 269 Thermal Power Plants, with 138 of them being owned by the public sector and the remaining 131 owned by the private sector.
Consider the following statements:
1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the report National Compilation on Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India, 2017 of CGWA, out of the total 6881 assessment units (Blocks/Mandals/ Talukas) in the country, 1186 units in various States (17%) have been categorized as Over-Exploited, 313 units (5%) as Critical, and 972 units (14%) as Semi-Critical. Statement 2 is correct: The CGWA was established in 1997 under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and manage groundwater resources. Statement 3 is correct: India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world. This is due to the country's heavy reliance on agriculture, which is predominantly rain-fed. Therefore, the correct answer is B. 2 and 3 only.
It is possible to produce algae-based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry?
1. Production of algae-based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.
2. Setting up and engineering the algae-based biofuel production requires a high level of expertise/technology until the construction is completed.
3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is incorrect. The production of algae-based biofuels is not limited to seas only. It can be done on land, saline water, or wastewater. Statement 2 is correct. Setting up and engineering the algae-based biofuel production does require a high level of expertise/technology, which might be a limitation for developing countries. Statement 3 is also correct. Economically viable production of algae-based biofuels does necessitate the setting up of large-scale facilities, which may raise ecological and social concerns.
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I : According to the United Nation's 'World Water Development Report, 2022', India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement-II :India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
* Statement 1 is correct. According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, with an estimated 251 km3 annual withdrawal from an estimated 20 million wells and tube wells, India is the world's greatest groundwater user. This accounts for more than a quarter of the total groundwater extracted internationally. * Statement 2 is incorrect. India uses about 89% of this groundwater for irrigation. Major share of total groundwater extracted by India is utilised for irrigation purposes and not for drinking and sanitation purposes.
Consider the following statements :
1. In India, the Biodiversity Management committees are key to the realization of the objectives of Nagoya Protocol.
2. The Biodiversity Management committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement that addresses the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources. It is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and specifically focuses on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their utilisation. * Statement 1 is correct: In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) are indeed key to the realisation of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. BMCs play a crucial role in this by ensuring that local communities have a say in the access to and use of these resources. * Statement 2 is correct: The Biodiversity Management Committees also have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing. They have the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within their jurisdiction. This is part of their role in managing and conserving biodiversity, and ensuring that the benefits derived from the use of these resources are shared equitably. Therefore, both statements are correct.
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following statements :
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to
1. state the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the Procedure and manner in which it sought
2. lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986 recognizes the importance of public participation in environmental decision-making. However, it does not explicitly define the procedure for public participation in environmental governance, such as public hearings or consultations. These provisions were later formalized through subsequent rules and notifications, such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, which mandates public hearings for certain projects. Statement 2 is correct: The EPA, of 1986 empowers the Central Government to Lay down environmental quality standards for air, water, and soil, Regulate emissions and discharges of pollutants from industries and other sources, Restrict hazardous substances and their handling, Take emergency measures to prevent environmental disasters.
Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’?
1. The river basin is the unit of planning and management.
2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
3. One of the Chief Ministers of the State through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on a rotation basis.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct. National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) is the financing, planning, implementing, monitoring, and coordinating authority for the Ganges River, functioning under the Jal Shakti Ministry. Statement 2 is correct. The mission of the organisation is to safeguard the drainage basin which feeds water into the Ganges by protecting it from pollution or overuse. In July 2014, the NGRBA has been transferred from the Ministry of Environment and Forests to the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Prime Minister is the chair of the Authority.
Other members include the cabinet ministers of ministries that include the Ganges among their direct concerns and the chief ministers of states through which the Ganges River flows.
With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:
1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development.
2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: Agenda 21 is a comprehensive global action plan adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Rio Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. It provides a framework for achieving sustainable development by integrating environmental protection, social equity, and economic growth at global, national, and local levels. Statement 2 is incorrect: The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002, reviewed and reaffirmed the commitments made under Agenda 21 but did not introduce it. Instead, the summit focused on assessing progress, strengthening implementation, and launching new initiatives, including the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI).