Governance & Laws — Ecology & Environment

Q.1

WBCS Prelims 2017

In the wake of the Stockholm Conference, the Government of India set up the National committee on Environmental Planning and Coordination in the year

A. 1972

B. 1980

C. 1985

D. 1990

Explanation

Why Correct: India established the National Committee on Environmental Planning and Coordination (NCEPC) in 1972 immediately after the UN Stockholm Conference on Human Environment.
Distractor Analysis: 1980 marks the creation of the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Science and Technology. 1985 saw the formation of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. 1990 is when the Environment Protection Act rules were strengthened through various amendments.
Takeaway: The NCEPC was chaired by Pitamber Pant and served as India's first apex advisory body on environmental policy before evolving into full ministries.

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Q.2

WBCS Prelims 2010

Coastal Regulation Zones in India have been identified on the basis of

A. Tidal Height

B. Sea Level Rise

C. Depth of Water

D. Undersea Bathymetry

Explanation

Why Correct: The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 1991 defines zones based on tidal influence, specifically the High Tide Line (HTL) and Low Tide Line (LTL), measured from the highest astronomical tide.
Distractor Analysis: Sea level rise projections inform climate adaptation policies but were not the original 1991 classification basis. Depth of water refers to marine bathymetry used for navigation and resource mapping, not CRZ demarcation. Undersea bathymetry maps ocean floor topography for scientific and military purposes, unrelated to coastal regulation boundaries.
Takeaway: CRZ 2011 further refined zones into CRZ-I (ecologically sensitive), CRZ-II (urban areas), CRZ-III (rural areas), and CRZ-IV (islands), with specific setback lines from the HTL.

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Q.3

WBCS Prelims 2009

As per the concept of Scheduled India wild life conservation concept, Rhinoceros indica is incorporated in

A. Schedule I

B. Schedule II

C. Schedule III

D. None of the above

Explanation

Why Correct: The Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis, sometimes historically referred to as Rhinoceros indica) receives the highest level of protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which prohibits all forms of hunting and trade with severe penalties.
Distractor Analysis: Schedule II provides protection but allows certain exceptions under license. Schedule III protects non-endangered species with lower penalties. None of the above is incorrect because the Indian rhinoceros is explicitly listed in Schedule I.
Takeaway: Other Schedule I species include the Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, snow leopard, and great Indian bustard, while Schedule IV includes protected plants.

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Q.4

WBCS Prelims 2001

The National Wildlife Action Plan was adopted by India in

A. 1963

B. 1973

C. 1983

D. 1993

Explanation

Why Correct: India adopted its first National Wildlife Action Plan in 1983, covering 1983-2001, establishing the foundational framework for wildlife conservation policies and protected area management.
Distractor Analysis: 1963 marks the creation of Project Tiger, India's flagship tiger conservation program. 1973 saw the enactment of the Wildlife Protection Act, India's primary legislation for wildlife protection. 1993 corresponds with India signing the Convention on Biological Diversity, an international treaty for biodiversity conservation.
Takeaway: The current National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) is India's third such plan, focusing on climate change adaptation, landscape-level conservation, and participatory management approaches.

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