Environmental Law MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Environmental Law - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Bamboo.

• The plant excluded from the list of trees in the Indian Forest (Amendment) Act 2017 is Bamboo.
• The Parliament cleared the bill to exclude bamboo from the definition of a tree under the Indian Forest Act in 2017.
• The government stated that it would improve the earnings of tribals and dwellers living around forests.
• As per data of NITI Aayog, bamboo resources in the country has the potential to generate economic activities worth Rs 50,000 crore.
• Bamboo is considered as the tallest grass hence it does not come under the definition of The Indian Forest Act 1927.

Additional Information

• Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under bamboo forests.
• The North-Eastern States are considered as storehouses of bamboo diversity.
• National Bamboo Mission was launched in India in 2007.

The correct answer is 'National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, United States of America'

Key Points

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):
  • The concept of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process that evaluates the environmental consequences of a proposed activity or project before it is implemented.
  • The primary objective of EIA is to ensure that decision-makers consider environmental impacts when deciding whether or not to proceed with a project.
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969:
  • NEPA was enacted in the United States in 1969 and came into effect on January 1, 1970.
  • It was the first legislation to mandate an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for federal projects to minimize adverse effects on the environment.
  • The Act emphasizes transparency, public participation, and sustainable development, making it a landmark in global environmental policymaking.
  • NEPA requires federal agencies to prepare Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for projects that could significantly impact the environment.

Additional Information

• Other options explained:
  • France: France has environmental assessment procedures, but the principle of EIA was not pioneered in France. France's environmental policies have evolved significantly over time, but NEPA in the USA predates them.
  • Switzerland: Switzerland is known for its environmental preservation and sustainability measures, but it did not introduce the principle of EIA. Switzerland’s environmental legislation is robust but developed later.
  • England: While England has a well-established environmental regulation framework, it did not pioneer the concept of EIA. The European Union later adopted EIA principles, and England implemented them as part of EU directives.
• Global Influence of NEPA:
  • NEPA inspired other countries and international organizations to adopt EIA practices, making it a model for environmental legislation worldwide.
  • For instance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) promotes EIA as a critical tool for achieving sustainable development globally.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• According to the section 25 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, a Forest Officer cannot arbitrarily stop a public or private way or watercourse in a reserved forest. This action is permitted only if:
  • A reasonably convenient substitute is already in place, or
  • A new alternative way or watercourse has been provided by the Forest Officer.
• This rule ensures that local communities and travelers are not adversely affected by the closure while allowing for forest conservation and management.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• Under Section 28 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the State Government has the authority to:
  • Assign reserved forest land to a village community, creating a village-forest.
  • Cancel such assignments if necessary.
  • Make rules regulating the management of village-forests, including provisions for obtaining timber, pasture, or other forest produce and outlining the responsibilities of the village community.
• While the village community plays a role in managing the forest, it does not have absolute control. The State Government sets rules and conditions, ensuring sustainable use and protection. Therefore, Option C is incorrect, as it falsely suggests that village-forests operate without government oversight.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• The power to declare a reserved forest is granted to the State Government under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. According to Section 3 of the Act, the State Government can constitute any forest land or waste land as a reserved forest if:
  • The land is government property or the government has proprietary rights over it.
  • The government is entitled to the whole or any part of the forest produce from that land.
• The declaration of a reserved forest follows a legal process, which includes:
  • Issuing a notification stating the intent to reserve the forest.
  • Surveying and settling claims of rights (if any) from local communities.
  • Final declaration by the State Government after resolving objections.
• Once declared as a reserved forest, the area enjoys strict legal protection, prohibiting unauthorized activities such as tree felling, grazing, and hunting. This classification aims to protect and conserve forest resources, ensuring environmental sustainability and biodiversity preservation.

The correct answer is Section 5 A.

Key Points

• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) -
  • It is constituted by the Central Government under Section 5 A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA). 
  • It may, at its discretion, constitute a Standing Committee under sub-section (1) of Section 5B.

Additional Information

• ​National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) -
  • It was formed in the year 2003 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972.
  • It acts as the apex body in matters relating to forest ecology.
  • This body reviews matters relating to wildlife and construction or other projects around national parks and sanctuaries.
  • It is chaired by the Prime Minister.

The correct answer is 19 December 2022Key Points

•  The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, was a significant piece of legislation aimed at strengthening the protection of wildlife and their habitats in India. 
• It introduced several key amendments to the existing Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
• The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 received the assent of the President on 19 December 2022.
• This amendment aimed to strengthen the protection of wildlife and their habitats in India.
• The Act increased penalties for wildlife offenses, making them more stringent to deter illegal activities.

The correct answer is Animals listed in this schedule can be hunted.

Important Points

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 - 

• The WPA - 1972 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted for the protection of plants and animal species. Prior to this legislation, India had only five designated national parks.
• Among other reforms, the Act established schedules of protected plant and animal species; hunting or harvesting these species was largely outlawed. 
• The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants; and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto.
• It extends to all territories under the Indian government.
• The Act was substantially amended in 2002. A major objective of this amendment was to update the law to deal with sharply escalating levels of organized poaching. 
• The Act was last amended in the year 2006.

Key Points

Schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 - 

• Schedule 1 - Species under this Schedule are prohibited to be hunted throughout India, except under threat to human life. They are given the highest level of protection. Some of the animals listed in this schedule are tiger, blackbuck, Himalayan Brown Bear, Brow-Antlered Deer, Blue whale, Great Indian Bustard, Black Buck, etc.
• Schedule 2 - Animals under this list are also accorded high protection. Their trade is also prohibited. They cannot be hunted except when they are a threat to human life. Some of the animals listed in this schedule are dhole, king cobra, flying squirrel, etc.
• Schedule 3 and 4 - This schedule includes protected species but the penalty for any violation is less compared to the first two schedules. Some of the animals listed in this schedule are hyena, Himalayan rat, porcupine, nilgai, goral, etc.
• Schedule 5 - The animals listed in this schedule can be hunted. Animals listed in this schedule are mice, rats, common crow, fruit bats, etc. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Schedule 6 - Cultivation, collection, extraction, trade, etc. of Plants and their derivatives listed in Schedule 6 are prohibited. Examples: pitcher plant, blue vanda, red vanda, kuth, etc.

The correct answer is I.

Key Points

• As of November 2020, the Asiatic Lions are listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972; in Appendix I of CITES. 
• The Asiatic lion faces the threat of genetic inbreeding arising from a single population in one place.
• It is Listed as ‘Endangered’ under the IUCN Red List.

Additional Information

• The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
  • Parliament of India enacted the ACT by the parliament of India on 9 sept 1972 for the protection of plants and animal species.  
  • The Government of India implemented the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 with the purpose of efficiently protecting the wildlife of this country and further controlling hunting, smuggling, and illegal trade in wild animals and their derivatives.

  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has been constituted under section 38 L (1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Wild Life Protection Act:

• All of the animals given are protected scheduled animals under the Wildlife Act 1972.
• The gharial is ‘Critically Endangered’ and the Water buffalo is ‘Endangered’. Hence, they fall under Schedule I. 
• Indian wild ass is Endangered and it is listed under Schedule I.
   

There are six schedules provided in the Wildlife Protection Act based on the degree of protection.

• Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 provide absolute protection and offenses under these are prescribed the highest penalties. 
• Schedule 1 covers endangered species.
• Schedule 3 and 4: This includes protected species but the penalty for any violation is less compared to the first two schedules. This list is for species that are not endangered. 
• Schedule 5: This schedule contains animals that can be hunted.
• Schedule 6 contains the plants, which are prohibited from cultivation and planting.

The correct answer is 1972.

Key Points

• Friday 05 August 2022, The Natural life Assurance Revision Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 3, 2022.
• The Bill, which makes alterations to the Untamed life (Security) Demonstration of 1972, was presented in the Lok Sabha by the Association climate service in December 2021.
• Lok Sabha passed by voice vote the Natural life Revision Bill, 2021 which looks to accommodate the execution of the Show on Global Exchange Jeopardized Types of Wild Fauna and Greenery.
• There are 50 alterations to the Demonstration proposed in the Bill

Additional Information

• Presently all bird species, 22 other creature species or gatherings of species and 86 types of vegetation have managed the cost of the safeguarded status
• The Demonstration comprises of 60 Segments and VI Timetables isolated into Eight Sections.
• The Venture Tiger was the first task for natural life security in Quite a while taken up after the death of the Indian Natural life (Security) Act in 1972.
• Project Tiger was started on April 1, 1973 in Jim Corbett Public Park.

The correct answer is Bamboo.

• The plant excluded from the list of trees in the Indian Forest (Amendment) Act 2017 is Bamboo.
• The Parliament cleared the bill to exclude bamboo from the definition of a tree under the Indian Forest Act in 2017.
• The government stated that it would improve the earnings of tribals and dwellers living around forests.
• As per data of NITI Aayog, bamboo resources in the country has the potential to generate economic activities worth Rs 50,000 crore.
• Bamboo is considered as the tallest grass hence it does not come under the definition of The Indian Forest Act 1927.

Additional Information

• Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under bamboo forests.
• The North-Eastern States are considered as storehouses of bamboo diversity.
• National Bamboo Mission was launched in India in 2007.

The correct answer is Section 5 A.

Key Points

• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) -
  • It is constituted by the Central Government under Section 5 A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA). 
  • It may, at its discretion, constitute a Standing Committee under sub-section (1) of Section 5B.

Additional Information

• ​National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) -
  • It was formed in the year 2003 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972.
  • It acts as the apex body in matters relating to forest ecology.
  • This body reviews matters relating to wildlife and construction or other projects around national parks and sanctuaries.
  • It is chaired by the Prime Minister.

The correct answer is 19 December 2022Key Points

•  The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, was a significant piece of legislation aimed at strengthening the protection of wildlife and their habitats in India. 
• It introduced several key amendments to the existing Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
• The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 received the assent of the President on 19 December 2022.
• This amendment aimed to strengthen the protection of wildlife and their habitats in India.
• The Act increased penalties for wildlife offenses, making them more stringent to deter illegal activities.

The correct answer is Animals listed in this schedule can be hunted.

Important Points

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 - 

• The WPA - 1972 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted for the protection of plants and animal species. Prior to this legislation, India had only five designated national parks.
• Among other reforms, the Act established schedules of protected plant and animal species; hunting or harvesting these species was largely outlawed. 
• The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants; and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto.
• It extends to all territories under the Indian government.
• The Act was substantially amended in 2002. A major objective of this amendment was to update the law to deal with sharply escalating levels of organized poaching. 
• The Act was last amended in the year 2006.

Key Points

Schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 - 

• Schedule 1 - Species under this Schedule are prohibited to be hunted throughout India, except under threat to human life. They are given the highest level of protection. Some of the animals listed in this schedule are tiger, blackbuck, Himalayan Brown Bear, Brow-Antlered Deer, Blue whale, Great Indian Bustard, Black Buck, etc.
• Schedule 2 - Animals under this list are also accorded high protection. Their trade is also prohibited. They cannot be hunted except when they are a threat to human life. Some of the animals listed in this schedule are dhole, king cobra, flying squirrel, etc.
• Schedule 3 and 4 - This schedule includes protected species but the penalty for any violation is less compared to the first two schedules. Some of the animals listed in this schedule are hyena, Himalayan rat, porcupine, nilgai, goral, etc.
• Schedule 5 - The animals listed in this schedule can be hunted. Animals listed in this schedule are mice, rats, common crow, fruit bats, etc. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Schedule 6 - Cultivation, collection, extraction, trade, etc. of Plants and their derivatives listed in Schedule 6 are prohibited. Examples: pitcher plant, blue vanda, red vanda, kuth, etc.