Microtheme: Indian Environment Acts —
17 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2022] Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 ?
   • (a) Central Water Commission
   • (b) Central Ground Water Board
   • (c) Central Ground Water Authority
   • (d) National Water Development Agency
   Correct Answer: (C) Central Ground Water Authority
2. [2021] At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?
   • (a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
   • (b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
   • (c) Ministry of Rural Development
   • (d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs"
   Correct Answer: (D) Ministry of Tribal Affairs"
3. [2020] 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?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 2 only
   • (d) 1 and 3 only
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
4. [2020] If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act,
   1972, what is the implication?
   • (a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant.
   • (b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
   • (c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
   • (d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.
   Correct Answer: (A) A licence is required to cultivate that plant.
5. [2019] Consider the following statements:
   1. As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas.
   2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce.
   3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers.
   Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
6. [2019] Consider the following statements
   1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels.
   2. People’s participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
   Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Correct Answer: (A) 1 only
7. [2019] 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 is 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?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
8. [2018] Consider the following statements :
   1.The definition of “Critical Wildlife Habitat” is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
   2.For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights.
   3.Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change oflicially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 and 2 only
   • (b) 2 and 3 only
   • (c) 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Correct Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
9. [2018] How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?
   1.The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
   2.The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
10. [2017] According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided
    by law?
    1. Gharial
    2. Indian wild ass
    3. Wild buffalo
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
11. [2017] In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply ?
    • (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.
    • (b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and how it
      is impossible to prevent its extinction.
    • (c) It is endemic to a particular region of India.
    • (d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.
    Correct Answer: (A) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.
12. [2015] The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the
    • (a) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
    • (b) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
    • (c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
    • (d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
    Correct Answer: (C) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
13. [2014] Consider the following statements:
    1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
    2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
    3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 2 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
14. [2014] With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements:
    1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
    2. It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and public awareness.
    3. It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    • (a) 1 and 3 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) 2 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3 only
    Correct Answer: (C) 2 and 3 only
15. [2014] With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
    2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities in those zones except agriculture.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
16. [2013] Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest
    Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature
    and extent of individual or community forest rights or both?
    • (a) State Forest Department
    • (b) Distrit Collector/Deputy Commissioner
    • (c) Tahsildar/Block Develoment Officer/Mandal Revenue Officer
    • (d) Gram Sabha
    Correct Answer: (D) Gram Sabha
17. [2012] The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India?
    1. Right to healthy environment, construed as a part of Right to life under Article 21.
    2. Provision of grants for raising the level of administration in the Scheduled Areas for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes under Article 275 (1).
    3. Powers and functions of Gram Sabha as mentioned under Article 243(A).
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    • (a) 1 Only
    • (b) 2 and 3 Only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (A) 1 Only