Resource & Environmental Conflicts: A Digital Explorer for UPSC Internal Security

Introduction & Overview

Resource scarcity and environmental degradation are increasingly recognized as significant drivers of internal security challenges in India, acting as "threat multipliers" that exacerbate existing socio-economic and political vulnerabilities.

Competition over vital resources like water, land, and forests can ignite inter-state, inter-community, and local conflicts, often escalating into law and order issues. Moreover, the accelerating impacts of climate change, manifest in extreme weather events and shifting geographical patterns, are intensifying resource stress and creating new dimensions of internal displacement and border security concerns.

This module delves into the specifics of water, land, and forest conflicts, and critically analyzes how climate change fundamentally reshapes the internal security landscape, demanding a holistic and sustainable approach to resource management.

Water Conflicts

Water scarcity and inequitable distribution are major sources of internal conflicts in India. Dive into the various facets of water-related disputes:

Interstate River Disputes

Nature: Conflicts arise from competing demands for river water among riparian states, often involving allocation for irrigation, industrial use, and drinking water.

Examples: Cauvery River Dispute (Karnataka and Tamil Nadu), Krishna River Dispute (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana), Mahanadi River Dispute (Odisha and Chhattisgarh).

Impact: Leads to political friction between states, social unrest, and occasional violence, impacting law and order. (Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti, various tribunal reports)

Transboundary Water Sharing

Nature: Sharing of river waters with neighboring countries, often a point of diplomatic tension and security concern, especially concerning upstream activities.

Examples: Indus Waters Treaty (1960) governs water sharing between India and Pakistan. While successful for decades, recent tensions have seen India threaten to review its terms. Concerns about Chinese damming activities on the upstream Brahmaputra and its impact on India's Northeast. Sharing of Ganges (Ganga) with Bangladesh.

Impact: Can escalate into diplomatic disputes, affect agricultural livelihoods, and raise national security concerns (e.g., if water flow is weaponized).

Groundwater Depletion

Nature: Over-extraction of groundwater for agriculture and urban needs, leading to rapid depletion of water tables across many parts of India.

Impact: Increasing competition for scarce groundwater, leading to local-level conflicts between farmers, between agricultural and industrial users, and between rural and urban populations. Can exacerbate existing socio-economic grievances. (Source: Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), NITI Aayog's Composite Water Management Index)

Land and Forest Conflicts

Disputes over land and forest resources are major drivers of social unrest and organized crime, particularly in vulnerable regions:

Land Acquisition for Development Projects

Nature: Compulsory acquisition of private or community land by the state for large-scale infrastructure projects (e.g., industrial corridors, highways, airports), often without adequate consultation or fair compensation.

Displacement: Leads to large-scale displacement of rural and tribal populations, breaking traditional livelihoods and social structures.
Rehabilitation Issues: Inadequate or delayed rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) programs further alienate affected communities.
Social Unrest: Often results in protests, demonstrations, and violent clashes (e.g., Nandigram, Singur protests). This provides fertile ground for extremist groups like LWE to exploit.

Forest Rights Issues

Nature: Conflicts arise from historical injustices, lack of recognition of traditional forest rights of tribal communities (Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 - FRA).

Impact: Exploitation by forest officials, land alienation, and denial of access to minor forest produce fuel resentment and provide recruitment grounds for LWE groups. Leads to clashes between forest department, locals, and Naxals. (Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, FRA 2006, various civil society reports)

Illegal Mining (Sand Mafias, Stone Quarries)

Nature: Unregulated and illicit extraction of minerals (coal, iron ore) and construction materials (sand, stone) from riverbeds, hills, and other areas.

"Sand Mafias": Organized criminal syndicates that control illegal sand mining, often involving violence against environmental activists, journalists, and government officials.

Impact: Severe environmental degradation (river erosion, groundwater depletion, habitat destruction), massive revenue loss to the state, and a deep nexus between criminals, police, and local politicians, undermining the rule of law. (Source: National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, CAG reports, media investigations)

Climate Change as a Security Threat Multiplier

Climate change is not a direct cause of conflict but exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and stressors, amplifying security risks across India:

Resource Scarcity (Water, Food, Arable Land)

Mechanism: Increased frequency and intensity of droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall patterns reduce agricultural productivity, water availability, and arable land.

Impact: Leads to increased competition for dwindling resources, farmer-herder conflicts, food insecurity, and social unrest, particularly in rural and marginalized areas. This can exacerbate existing grievances and fuel extremist ideologies.

Extreme Weather Events

Mechanism: More frequent and intense cyclones, floods, droughts, and heatwaves directly cause loss of lives, destruction of infrastructure, and displacement.

Impact: Increases the burden on disaster management systems, strains public resources, creates humanitarian crises, and can lead to breakdown of law and order during and after such events. Disrupted livelihoods can make populations vulnerable to exploitation by anti-social elements.

Coastal Erosion, Sea-level Rise

Mechanism: Rising sea levels and increased coastal erosion, particularly affecting low-lying coastal areas and island territories.

Impact: Displaces coastal communities, damages infrastructure (ports, settlements), and contaminates freshwater sources. Creates a new class of 'climate refugees' or internally displaced persons (IDPs) who migrate to urban centers or other regions, straining resources and potentially leading to social friction in host areas.

Impact on Border Management and Security due to Changing Geography

Melting Glaciers: In Himalayan regions, melting glaciers can alter river courses and change historical border demarcations, leading to new or exacerbated border disputes with neighboring countries.

Accessibility: Changing climate patterns (e.g., increased snowfall, floods) can impact accessibility for border guarding forces, affecting patrolling and surveillance. (Source: IPCC Assessment Reports, National Action Plan on Climate Change, Ministry of Earth Sciences, various academic studies)

Prelims-ready Notes

Concise points for quick revision of key facts relevant to UPSC Prelims:

Water Conflicts

Interstate River Disputes: Cauvery (Karnataka-TN), Krishna, Mahanadi.
Transboundary: Indus Waters Treaty (India-Pak), Brahmaputra (China-India-BD).
Groundwater Depletion: Local conflicts.

Land & Forest Conflicts

Land Acquisition: Displacement, R&R issues, Protests (Nandigram, Singur).
Forest Rights Issues: FRA 2006 implementation gaps, Tribal exploitation.
Illegal Mining: Sand Mafias, Stone Quarries.

Climate Change as Threat Multiplier

Resource Scarcity: Water, Food, Land → Social unrest, migration, conflict.
Extreme Weather Events: Floods, Droughts, Heatwaves → Disaster burden, vulnerability.
Coastal Erosion/Sea-level Rise: Population displacement, infra damage, IDPs.
Impact on Border Mgmt: Changing geography (glaciers, rivers) → disputes, patrolling issues.

Summary Table: Resource & Environmental Conflicts

Conflict Type	Key Drivers / Manifestations	Impact on Internal Security (Examples)
Water Conflicts	Interstate river disputes, Transboundary sharing, Groundwater depletion	Inter-state friction, Social unrest (Cauvery riots), Diplomatic tensions
Land & Forest Conflicts	Land acquisition displacement, FRA implementation gaps, Illegal mining (Sand Mafias)	Protests/violence (Nandigram), Naxal recruitment, Organized crime, Nexus with politics, Environmental degradation
Climate Change	Resource scarcity (droughts, floods), Extreme weather, Sea-level rise, Glacier melt	Conflict over resources, Internal displacement (climate refugees), Disaster burden, Border disputes, Livelihood disruption

Mains-ready Analytical Notes

Major Debates/Discussions

Water Scarcity as a 'New Security Threat'

While climate change is a threat multiplier, the increasing intensity of water conflicts (inter-state, local) positions water scarcity as a direct security concern, requiring a comprehensive national water management strategy.

Balancing Development and Displacement

The dilemma of pursuing large-scale development projects (dams, industries, infrastructure) essential for economic growth, versus the unavoidable displacement of populations and the often-inadequate rehabilitation, leading to protests and fuelling Naxalism.

Environmental Governance and Organized Crime

The deep nexus between illegal mining (especially sand mafias) and political corruption, highlighting the challenge of enforcing environmental laws against powerful vested interests. Debates focus on strengthening environmental governance and judicial activism (NGT).

Climate Migration and Internal Displacement

The emerging challenge of 'climate refugees' or internally displaced persons due to climate change impacts. Debates involve policy frameworks for their rehabilitation, resource allocation in host areas, and preventing social friction.

Climate Change as a "Threat Multiplier" vs. "Root Cause"

While generally accepted as a multiplier, some argue its escalating impacts mean it is increasingly becoming a direct root cause of conflicts, warranting a proactive security response.

Historical & Long-term Trends

Increasing Frequency and Intensity

Resource conflicts, particularly water disputes, have become more frequent and intense over time due to population growth, industrialization, and climate change.

From Local to Regional/Transnational

Conflicts are escalating from local-level disputes to inter-state and even transboundary (e.g., Brahmaputra with China) issues.

Exploitation by Non-State Actors

Naxalites and other extremist groups consistently exploit land/forest rights issues and grievances related to displacement to gain popular support and recruit.

Judicial Intervention

Indian judiciary (especially Supreme Court and NGT) has increasingly intervened in environmental and resource conflicts, pushing for sustainable management and justice.

Climate Change Integration

Growing recognition of climate change as a security concern, integrating it into national planning and disaster management.

Contemporary Relevance & Impact

NITI Aayog's Water Management Index

Highlights India's severe water stress and the increasing demand-supply gap, making water conflicts a persistent internal security concern. (Source: NITI Aayog)

SC/NGT Directives on Illegal Mining

The Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal continue to issue stringent orders against illegal sand mining and other forms of illegal extraction, emphasizing its environmental and social costs. (Source: Legal news)

Climate-Induced Disasters

Recent extreme weather events (e.g., Uttarakhand floods, heatwaves in parts of India, Cyclone Fani) underscore the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-induced disasters, straining state capacity and creating vulnerabilities. (Source: NDMA, IMD)

Impact on Border Security

Changing river courses and melting glaciers on the India-China and India-Bangladesh borders are leading to new challenges in demarcation and patrolling. (Source: Border guarding forces, climate scientists)

Land Acquisition Challenges

Protests against land acquisition for various projects (e.g., Bullet Train, new airports) continue to highlight the land conflict issue.

Real-world Examples (India)

Interstate River Disputes

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal continue to grapple with these long-standing issues. (Source: CWMA, MWDT)

Forest Rights Act (FRA) Implementation

Reports continue to highlight gaps in the effective implementation of FRA 2006, leading to ongoing grievances among tribal communities. (Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, civil society reports)

Operation Jal Prahari (Various States)

Police operations to curb illegal sand mining, leading to clashes and arrests, demonstrating the pervasive nature of sand mafias. (Source: State Police, media reports)

IPCC Reports

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports consistently highlight India's high vulnerability to climate change impacts (heatwaves, droughts, floods), directly linking to security implications. (Source: IPCC Assessment Reports)

Focus on Water Conservation (Jal Shakti Abhiyan)

Government's flagship programs emphasize water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge, reflecting the urgency of water security. (Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti)

Value-Added Points

National Water Policy: Guides water management.
Disaster Management Act, 2005: Legal framework for disaster response.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land) directly relate to resource security.
Integrated Watershed Management: Holistic approach to water and land resources.
Community Forest Rights (CFRs): Key provision of FRA 2006.

Current Affairs & Recent Developments (Last 1 Year)

Heatwave Action Plans

Indian states have developed heatwave action plans as a response to increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves, highlighting adaptation to climate change impacts. (Source: NDMA, IMD, 2023)

Mekong-Ganga Cooperation

Renewed diplomatic engagement in regional forums like Mekong-Ganga Cooperation to discuss transboundary water management issues and infrastructure development. (Source: MEA, 2023)

Increased Focus on Groundwater Recharge

Government initiatives and campaigns like 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' have intensified efforts for groundwater conservation, reflecting national concern over water security. (Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti, 2022-23)

NGT Orders on Illegal Mining

The National Green Tribunal continues to issue strict orders and impose heavy fines on illegal mining operations across various states, indicating persistent environmental crime. (Source: NGT, 2022-23)

Climate Change Adaptation Programs

Various states have launched climate change adaptation programs focusing on resilient agriculture and disaster preparedness, indirectly contributing to security by mitigating resource stress. (Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, State Climate Action Plans, 2022-23)

UPSC Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims MCQs

UPSC CSE 2020: With reference to the 'Forest Rights Act, 2006', which of the following statements is correct?

(a) It protects the traditional rights of tribal communities over forest lands.
(b) It grants ownership rights over minor forest produce to tribal communities.
(c) It mandates the creation of 'Community Forest Resources' as areas where tribal communities have sole rights.
(d) All of the above.

Hint: FRA 2006 is a key legal provision addressing forest rights issues, which are a major cause of conflict.

UPSC CSE 2018: The term "Red Corridor" is often seen in the news in the context of:

(a) The areas affected by Left Wing Extremism.
(b) The regions with high agricultural productivity.
(c) The national highway networks connecting major cities.
(d) The coastal areas prone to cyclonic storms.

Hint: LWE often exploits land and forest conflicts as a key driver.

UPSC CSE 2015: India is vulnerable to drug trafficking due to its proximity to the 'Golden Crescent' and 'Golden Triangle' regions. Which of the following describes the impact of such drug trafficking on India?

Fueling insurgency and terrorism.
Spreading of diseases like HIV/AIDS.
Social breakdown and youth addiction.
Financial destabilization through money laundering.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Hint: While primarily drug-focused, this question highlights how such illicit activities (often linked to land/border conflicts) fuel broader security issues.

Mains Questions

UPSC CSE 2019 GS-III: "Cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several challenges confronting the effective management of India's border. Analyse the challenges in context of the effective management of India's borders."

Direction: This question can incorporate climate change impact on borders (e.g., melting glaciers affecting demarcation) and resource conflicts (e.g., transboundary water sharing) as challenges to border management.

UPSC CSE 2018 GS-III: "Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a decline, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter LWE."

Direction: A key part of the LWE analysis is its exploitation of "Land and Forest Conflicts" and "Socio-economic Disparity." Discuss how issues like land acquisition, forest rights (FRA 2006 implementation gaps), and displacement fuel LWE.

UPSC CSE 2015 GS-III: "The growth of the digital economy has not only created challenges for tax administration but also for the internal security of the country. Analyze the challenges and suggest suitable measures to address them."

Direction: While not direct, this question could be linked by discussing how technological advancements can be used in illegal mining (e.g., for mapping resources, coordination), leading to resource conflicts.

Trend Analysis

Prelims Trends

Increasing Importance: Growing number of questions, especially on climate change as a security multiplier.
Specific Examples: Testing knowledge of major river disputes (Cauvery, Krishna), key acts (FRA 2006), and terms (Sand Mafias).
Inter-linkages: How resource conflicts link to other internal security issues (LWE, illegal mining).

Mains Trends

Focus on Threat Multiplier: Explicitly asks how climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and leads to conflicts.
Multi-dimensional Causes: Demands analysis of socio-economic, political, and environmental drivers of conflicts.
Policy and Governance: Emphasis on the government's role in dispute resolution, sustainable resource management, and implementing laws like FRA.
Development vs. Environment/Displacement: Recurring theme of balancing development needs with environmental protection and ensuring justice for displaced populations.
Solution-Oriented: Expected to suggest comprehensive measures for water management, land dispute resolution, environmental governance, and climate change adaptation.

Original MCQs for Prelims

1. The "National Green Tribunal (NGT)" has frequently intervened in cases related to which of the following types of resource conflict in India, highlighting its severe environmental and social impacts?

(a) Interstate river water disputes.
(b) Transboundary water sharing with neighboring countries.
(c) Illegal mining activities, including sand mafias.
(d) Conflicts over intellectual property rights of traditional knowledge.

Explanation: The NGT has been particularly active in addressing illegal mining, including sand mining, due to its significant environmental and social consequences.

2. Consider the following statements regarding the impact of climate change on India's internal security:

It can lead to internal displacement of populations, creating 'climate refugees'.
Melting glaciers in the Himalayas may alter river courses, potentially impacting border demarcation.
Increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts can exacerbate resource scarcity and social unrest.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: All three statements correctly describe various ways climate change acts as a security threat multiplier in India.

Original Descriptive Questions for Mains

1. "Water conflicts, both interstate and transboundary, pose a significant and escalating threat to India's internal peace and national security. Analyze the causes and implications of these water conflicts, particularly in the context of climate change, and suggest a comprehensive strategy for sustainable water management and conflict resolution."

Key Points/Structure:

Introduction: Highlight the critical importance of water and the escalating nature of conflicts.
Causes of Water Conflicts: Increasing Demand, Uneven Distribution, Climate Change Impact, Pollution, Inadequate Governance, Political Factors.
Implications: Interstate Disputes, Transboundary Tensions, Local Conflicts, Social Unrest, Economic Impact, National Security.
Comprehensive Strategy for Sustainable Water Management & Conflict Resolution: National Water Policy update, strengthen Interstate River Dispute Resolution, Proactive Transboundary Diplomacy, Demand Management, Groundwater Recharge, Climate Change Adaptation, Technological Solutions, Community Participation, Water Governance Reforms.
Conclusion: Water security is paramount for internal peace and national security, requiring a holistic, multi-stakeholder, and sustainable approach.

2. "The issue of illegal mining, particularly through the rampant operations of 'sand mafias', poses a severe threat to both environmental sustainability and internal security in India. Analyze the multi-faceted impacts of illegal mining and suggest robust measures to dismantle these criminal networks and ensure responsible resource extraction."

Key Points/Structure:

Introduction: Highlight the pervasive nature of illegal mining and sand mafias, and their dual threat.
Multi-faceted Impacts of Illegal Mining: Environmental Degradation (river erosion, groundwater, habitat), Economic Impact (revenue loss, black money), Social Impact (violence, livelihood disruption), Internal Security Impact (nexus with organized crime, corruption, undermining rule of law, funding other crimes).
Robust Measures to Dismantle Networks & Ensure Responsible Extraction: Legal & Regulatory (stringent enforcement), Technology (satellite, drones, GIS), Enforcement (special task forces, inter-agency coordination), Institutional Integrity (anti-corruption, whistleblowers), Community Engagement, Judicial Reforms, Transparency, Demand Management.
Conclusion: Tackling illegal mining requires firm political will, robust enforcement, technological prowess, and commitment to sustainable resource governance.