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Environment & EcologyMediumAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper I

Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 ?

  1. A.Central Water Commission
  2. B.Central Ground Water Board
  3. C.Central Ground Water Authority
  4. D.National Water Development Agency

Correct answer

C. Central Ground Water Authority

Explanation

The correct answer is C, Central Ground Water Authority. It is the only one of the four set up as an authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was constituted in 1997 under Section 3(3) of the Act, following a Supreme Court direction in the M.C. Mehta case, to regulate and control the development and management of groundwater. It grants or refuses permission for drawing groundwater in over-exploited areas, notifies areas for regulation and can act against violators. Option A is wrong because the Central Water Commission, set up in 1945, is an attached office of the water ministry dealing with surface water and flood control, not a body under this Act. Option B is wrong because the Central Ground Water Board is a scientific organisation that surveys and maps aquifers; it was formed in 1970 by renaming an older exploration body. Option D is wrong because the National Water Development Agency, set up in 1982, is a society that studies river-linking projects. Exam tip: CGWA regulates groundwater under the EP Act, 1986; CGWB studies it.

Practice Questions

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Q1.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements :

1. 'The National Programme for Organic Production' (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

2. 'The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority' (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.

3. Sikkim has become India's first fully organic State.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 and 3 only

NPOP is run by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not Rural Development, while the statements about APEDA and Sikkim are correct.

Q2.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IHard

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 officially 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 ?

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1 and 2 only

The Forest Rights Act defines critical wildlife habitat, and the Baigas were the first community to receive habitat rights, but the Environment Ministry does not grant those rights.

Q4.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following :

1. Carbon monoxide

2. Nitrogen oxide

3. Ozone

4. Sulphur dioxide

Excess of which of the above in the environment is/are cause(s) of acid rain ?

  1. A.1, 2 and 3
  2. B.2 and 4 only
  3. C.4 only
  4. D.1, 3 and 4
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 and 4 only

Nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide are the two gases that turn rain acidic. When coal and oil burn in power plants, factories and vehicles, they release sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the air.