Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon Environment (Organizations & National Missions on Environment)| December 2,2020

As compared to all other previous laws on environment protection, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is a more effective and bold measure to fight the problem of pollution.
•The genesis of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, thus, is in Article 48A (Directive Principles of State Policy) and Article 51A (g) (Fundamental Duties) of the Indian Constitution.
•The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has relaxed the rule of “Locus Standi” and because of such relaxation even a common citizen can approach the Court provided he has given a notice of sixty days of the alleged offence and his intention to make a complaint to the Central Government or any other competent authority.
Source: Shankar page no: 298

The provisions for environmental protection in the constitution were made within four years of Stockholm Conference, in 1976, though the 42nd amendment as follows:
•Article-48-A of the constitution provides: “The state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forest and wildlife of the country.”
•Article 51-A (g) Provides: It shall be duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.”
Source: Shankar page no: 297

The Preamble of the act provides for the establishment of a National Green Tribunal for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources, including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto (The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010).
NGT is mandated to dispose the cases within six months of their respective appeals.
Source: Shankar page no: 310

The first National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) was adopted in 1983, based upon the decision taken in the XV meeting of the Indian Board for Wildlife held in 1982.
The plan had outlined the strategies and action points for wildlife conservation which are still relevant.
Source: Shankar page no: 313

While according prior approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose, Central Government stipulates conditions that amounts shall be realised from the user agencies to undertake compensatory afforestation and such other activities related to conservation and development of forests, to mitigate impact of diversion of forest land.
Source: Shankar page no: 314

The National Commission on Agriculture, Government of India, first used the term ‘social forestry’ in 1976.
It was then that India embarked upon a social forestry project with the aim of taking the pressure off the forests and making use of all unused and fallow land.
Source: Shankar page no: 315

Social forestry scheme can be categorized into groups:
•Farm forestry
•Community forestry
•Extension forestry
•Recreational forestry
Source: Shankar page no: 315

The atapaka Bird Sanctuary, part of the Kolleru Lake (Andhra Pradesh), has been identified as the world’s largest home for the spot-billed pelican.
Source: Shankar page no: 315

The National Bamboo Mission is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 100% contribution from Central Government.
It is being implemented by the Horticulture Division under Department of Agriculture and Co-operation in the Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi.
Objectives:
•To promote the growth of bamboo sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategy;
•To increase the coverage of area under bamboo in potential areas, with suitable species to enhance yields;
•To promote marketing of bamboo and bamboo based handicrafts;
•To establish convergence and synergy among stakeholders for the development of bamboo;
Source: Shankar page no: 315

The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body on Animal Welfare Laws and promotes animal welfare in the country.
•The Animal Welfare Board of India, the first of its kind to be established by any Government in the world, was set up in 1962, in accordance with Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Acts 1960.
•Shrimati Rukmini Devi Arundale pioneered the setting up of the Board, with its Headquaters at Chennai. She guided the activities of the Board for nearly twenty years till her demise in 1986.
Source: Shankar page no: 321