XAT 2020 — Decision Making Question 19
Read the following paragraph carefully and answer the question that follows:
A powerful, intelligent king Vanamali once ruled over an ancient kingdom, Vanarajya. The kingdom was known for its high mountains and sprawling plains, and ninety percent of its land was under forest cover. Trade in forest produce was the mainstay of its economy, supported by subsistence agriculture.
With the increase of population, over time the forest in the plains was cleared for agriculture. The forest in the mountains continued to supply nutrient-enriched water and abundant forest produce to the plains. As a result, agricultural yields were bountiful. The plains prospered as compared to the mountains.
The village elders of the mountains had informed Vanamali about the presence of a precious metal in abundance under a large part of the forest. They pleaded with him to repeal his diktat and permit felling of trees for mining.
Vanamali knew that the precious metal would make his kingdom prosper. However, he was worried that mining would reduce the flow of nutrients, water and forest produce to the plains.
Vanamali’s advisor Vanapandit presented the following action plans for his consideration:
- Repeal the forest diktat and charge hefty royalty for mining in the mountains
- Permit mining in the mountains and enforce rainwater harvesting in the plains
- Permit mining in the mountains and begin afforestation in the plains
- Continue with the forest diktat in the mountains
- Permit limited mining in rotation but maintain the forest diktat in the rest of the mountains
Which of the following sequences of action plans, in the DESCENDING order of their ability to contribute to Vanarajya’s sustainable prosperity, will be the MOST appropriate for Vanamali?
Answer & solution
- A
3, 5, 2, 1, 4
5, 3, 2, 4, 1
- C
4, 2, 5, 1, 3
- D
5, 2, 4, 3, 1
- E
4, 5, 2, 3, 1
Step 5 is the best step since it will ensure that the benefits of mining are reaped by the kingdom and at the same time, the forests are also preserved. So only options 2 and 4 can be retained. Step 3 is a better course of action than step 2 as it will ensure that the forest cover is not lost while mining. Between step 2 and 4, the former is a better option as it will have the advantages of both mining as well as rain water harvesting. Step 4 will not have the benefit of mining.
Hence, option (b).