Question

“The goals of development may also be contradictory.” Examine the statement through examples.

Answer 1

Development goals can often conflict with one another because different individuals and groups have different interests. For instance, an industrialist may support setting up a factory to promote economic growth and employment, while local farmers may oppose it due to loss of land and environmental pollution. Similarly, large dams help generate hydroelectric power and provide irrigation, but they also lead to displacement of people and destruction of forests. Urbanisation and infrastructure development improve transport and living conditions but often result in deforestation and reduction of agricultural land. Likewise, increased mining boosts industrial output but causes environmental damage and health problems for nearby communities. Thus, although development seeks to improve economic and social well-being, it can create conflicts between growth, environmental conservation, and people’s livelihoods.