Environmental Compensation and Polluter Pays Principle

Statement 1 is incorrect: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, passed by Parliament, making it a statutory body. Similarly, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and is also a statutory body. It plays a key role in environmental regulation in India. Statement 2 is correct: The NGT’s primary role is to ensure the expeditious disposal of environmental cases related to forest conservation, natural resource protection, and pollution control, thereby reducing the burden on higher courts. The CPCB, functioning under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), is responsible for monitoring water and air quality, implementing pollution control measures, and enforcing environmental laws to promote a cleaner environment. Thus, while both bodies deal with environmental protection, the NGT focuses on adjudication, whereas the CPCB handles regulatory and enforcement functions.
Therefore, the correct answer is option (b) 2 only.

Statement 1 is incorrect. While the Ramsar Convention encourages member countries to take action for wetland conservation and wise use, there's no legal mandate to protect all wetlands. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were formulated by the Indian government to regulate activities in wetlands, and their development was not certainly influenced by the Ramsar Convention's principles. The rules also consider other national legislations and priorities. Statement 3 is correct. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 do encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands. This holistic approach recognizes the importance of the surrounding area for the overall health and functioning of the wetland ecosystem.

Statement 1 is correct: Desertification is a global environmental challenge, and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) serves as a key platform for international cooperation. It facilitates the sharing of knowledge, resources, and best practices among countries to develop sustainable solutions for land degradation and desertification. Statement 2 is incorrect: While the UNCCD does support efforts in regions highly vulnerable to desertification, such as South Asia and North Africa, its mandate is global, addressing desertification and land degradation worldwide. Statement 3 is correct: Communities living in arid and semi-arid regions are the most affected by desertification. These local populations possess traditional ecological knowledge crucial for sustainable land management. The UNCCD actively promotes community involvement in decision-making, policy implementation, and resource management to ensure effective, locally adapted solutions.

* Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 mandate the segregation of waste into three categories - biodegradables, dry recyclables (plastic, paper, metal, etc.), and domestic hazardous waste (diapers, napkins, etc.). * The SWM Rules, 2016 apply not just to urban areas but also to urban local bodies, notified areas, census towns, all industrial townships, special economic zones, State and Central government organisations, places of pilgrimage, religious and historical importance. * There is no restriction on moving waste from one district to another. Waste generators can transport waste as needed for disposal, treatment, or processing. * Waste processing facilities will have to be set up by all local bodies having a population of 1 million or more within two years. * For census towns with a population below 1 million or all local bodies having a population of 0.5 million or more, common, or stand-alone sanitary landfills will have to be set up in three years. * Also, common, or regional sanitary landfills to be set up by all local bodies and census towns with a population under 0.5 million will have to be completed in three years.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Hyderabad was indeed recognized as a Tree City of the World, but not by the UNCDF and Arbor Day Foundation together.
The recognition comes from a joint program by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation. Statement 2 is correct: Hyderabad was selected as a 2020 Tree City of the World by the Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of the city's commitment to urban forestry, including growing and maintaining its urban forests. Therefore, only the second statement is correct, and the first statement is incorrect.