GS4 · UPSC Mains

You are posted as a District Collector in one of the districts of Himachal Pradesh. The district comes under Seismic Zone V and is susceptible to landslides during monsoon season. The state has already recorded 35 major landslides since the onset of monsoon this year, which is twice as compared to the previous year. Recently, you got an advisory from the State Disaster Management Authority regarding prediction of heavy rainfall in some areas of your district. You have been categorically told to evacuate local people from unsafe houses that have developed cracks and are vulnerable to sinking. However, you face stiff resistance from local residents who are apprehensive to leave their houses fearing damage to their properties in their absence. The local opposition leader is also putting pressure on the district administration citing its failure in controlling unplanned and haphazard construction in this sensitive area. Moreover, you find that there have been many unplanned construction of hotels and resorts in these areas flouting the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act, 1977. This is despite several warnings by environmental experts and the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority. (a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in this case. (b) Mention the course of action that you will take in above case. (Answer in 250 words)20

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