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Q1Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and InstitutionsPYQ 2023
Consider the following statements:
1. Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:
1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest.
2. Hunting is not allowed in such area.
3. People of such area are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce.
4. People of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practices.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- AOnly one
- BOnly twoCorrect
- COnly three
- DAll four
Explanation
Correct. Hunting is prohibited in Community Reserves and people are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce. However, the governing authority is a Community Reserve Management Committee (not the CWLW), and agricultural practices are regulated.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
More than one statement is correct regarding Community Reserves.
- Option C
The Chief Wildlife Warden does not become the governing authority, and traditional agriculture is not automatically permitted — a Management Committee governs the reserve.
- Option D
Statement 1 is incorrect as a Community Reserve Management Committee governs the reserve, and statement 4 regarding agricultural practices is also not automatically correct.
Q2Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and InstitutionsPYQ 2022
Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?
- ACentral Water Commission
- BCentral Ground Water Board
- CCentral Ground Water AuthorityCorrect
- DNational Water Development Agency
Explanation
Correct. The Central Ground Water Authority was constituted under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control groundwater extraction.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The Central Water Commission was established in 1945 and reconstituted in 1946, long before the EPA 1986.
- Option B
The Central Ground Water Board functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and was not constituted under EPA 1986.
- Option D
The National Water Development Agency was set up in 1982 under the Societies Registration Act, not under EPA 1986.
Q3Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and InstitutionsPYQ 2022
With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements:
1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 2
- B2 onlyCorrect
- C1 and 3
- D3 only
Explanation
Correct. Once a species is listed in the Schedules of the WPA, it receives protection throughout India regardless of whether it is inside or outside a protected area.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The Act does not declare wild animals as the sole property of the government; ownership is not formally vested.
- Option C
Mere apprehension of danger is not sufficient ground; specific procedures involving the Chief Wildlife Warden must be followed for capture or killing.
- Option D
Apprehension alone is not sufficient; the Act requires Chief Wildlife Warden's authorization and specific conditions to be met.
Q4Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and InstitutionsPYQ 2020
If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
- AA licence is required to cultivate that plant.Correct
- BSuch a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
- CIt is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
- DSuch a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.
Explanation
Correct. Schedule VI of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 lists specified plants whose cultivation and trade require a licence from the competent authority.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Schedule VI does not impose an absolute ban; it requires a licence for cultivation and possession.
- Option C
Schedule VI pertains to plant species needing protection, not to genetically modified organisms.
- Option D
Schedule VI lists plants requiring protection due to conservation concerns, not those that are invasive.
Q5Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and InstitutionsPYQ 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?
- A1 onlyCorrect
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. The CAMPA Act, 2016 establishes both a National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority and State-level authorities. People's participation is not made mandatory.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
The Act does not mandate people's participation in compensatory afforestation programmes.
- Option C
Only statement 1 is correct; the Act does not require mandatory people's participation.
- Option D
Statement 1 is correct — CAMPA authorities exist at both national and state levels under the 2016 Act.
Q6Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and InstitutionsPYQ 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:
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. All three — Gharial, Indian wild ass, and Wild buffalo — are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and enjoy the highest level of protection.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Gharial is indeed protected, but the other two species are equally protected under the Act.
- Option B
This excludes Gharial, which is listed in Schedule I of the Act and is fully protected from hunting.
- Option C
Indian wild ass is also listed in Schedule I and cannot be hunted except under specific legal provisions.
Q7Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and InstitutionsPYQ 2017
In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?
- AIt enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.Correct
- BIt no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is impossible to prevent its extinction.
- CIt is endemic to a particular region of India.
- DBoth (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.
Explanation
Correct. Schedule I provides the highest level of protection under the Act; any species listed there — whether tortoise or tiger — receives the same legal protection.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Schedule I listing does not mean the species is extinct in the wild; it means the species receives the highest legal protection.
- Option C
Schedule I listing is based on threat level and protection need, not on whether the species is endemic to a particular region.
- Option D
Neither (b) nor (c) is correct — Schedule I classification relates to protection level, not extinction status or endemism.
Q8Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and InstitutionsPYQ 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?
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
- C2 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. NTCA is a statutory body under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended 2006), and NGRBA was chaired by the Prime Minister. AWBI is under the PCA Act, 1960, not EPA 1986.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
AWBI was established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, not the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Option C
While NTCA being statutory is correct, the statement about NGRBA being chaired by the PM is also correct, making this option incomplete.
- Option D
Statement 1 is incorrect — AWBI is established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
Q9Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and InstitutionsPYQ 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.
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2Correct
Explanation
Correct. ESZs are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as buffer zones around protected areas, and they regulate rather than prohibit all human activities.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Eco-Sensitive Zones are declared under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, not the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Option B
ESZs do not prohibit all human activities; they regulate certain activities while permitting many others including agriculture.
- Option C
Both statements are incorrect — ESZs are notified under EPA 1986 and they regulate rather than prohibit all human activities.
Q10Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and InstitutionsPYQ 2011
With reference to India, consider the following central acts:
1. Import and Export (Control) Act, 1947
2. Mining and Mineral Development (Regulation) Act, 1957
3. Customs Act, 1962
4. Indian Forest Act, 1927
Which of the above acts have relevance to/bearing on the biodiversity conservation in the country?
- A1 and 3 only
- B2, 3 and 4 only
- C1, 2, 3 and 4Correct
- DNone of the above acts
Explanation
Correct. All four acts bear on biodiversity conservation — they regulate trade, mining in ecologically sensitive areas, customs enforcement against wildlife trafficking, and forest management respectively.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The Import and Export (Control) Act and the Customs Act are relevant, but the list is incomplete — both the mining regulation act and the forest act also bear on biodiversity conservation.
- Option B
This excludes the Import and Export (Control) Act, which directly regulates cross-border trade in biological resources and wildlife products.
- Option D
All four acts contain provisions that directly or indirectly support biodiversity conservation in India.
Q11Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and Institutions
The concept of 'Access and Benefit Sharing' under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 is aimed at:
- AEnsuring that benefits arising from the commercial use of biological resources are shared with local communitiesCorrect
- BProviding free access to all biological resources for pharmaceutical companies
- CRestricting all access to Indian biological resources for any purpose
- DCreating a centralized seed bank managed by the National Biodiversity Authority
Explanation
Correct. The Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism ensures that benefits from commercial utilisation of biological resources and traditional knowledge are equitably shared with the conserving communities.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
The Act does not provide free access; it regulates access and mandates benefit sharing.
- Option C
The Act regulates access rather than restricting all access; it permits access with appropriate benefit-sharing arrangements.
- Option D
While the Act promotes conservation, its ABS provisions are about equitable sharing of benefits, not centralised seed banking.
Q12Environment·Indian Environmental Laws and Institutions
Which of the following categories of protected areas under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 allow certain rights of local communities?
1. Wildlife Sanctuaries
2. Community Reserves
3. Conservation Reserves
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A2 only
- B1 and 2 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. Wildlife Sanctuaries can allow certain rights with CWLW permission, Community Reserves are managed with community participation, and Conservation Reserves protect areas adjacent to protected zones while permitting certain community rights.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Wildlife Sanctuaries and Conservation Reserves also allow certain local community rights.
- Option B
Conservation Reserves, introduced through the 2002 amendment, also permit local community rights.
- Option C
Wildlife Sanctuaries also allow certain rights — the Chief Wildlife Warden can permit the collection of forest produce and other activities.