Environmental Law & Policy

Triclosan (sometimes abbreviated as TCS) is an antibacterial and antifungal agent present in some consumer products, including
- toothpaste,
- soaps,
- detergents,
- toys,
- surgical cleaning treatments.

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.

* The R2 Code of Practices is a tool available for promoting the adoption of environmentally responsible practices in the electronics recycling industry. * R2 stands for Responsible Recycling.
The Code of Practices outlines a set of standards that electronics recyclers should follow to ensure responsible handling of electronic waste.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: The International Seabed Authority (ISA) regulates seabed mining in international waters. The Global Ocean Commission was a 2013-2016 international initiative of leaders aiming to reverse ocean degradation, focusing on the high seas. Statement 2 is Correct: Like other countries, India can apply for and receive exploration licenses from the ISA for areas beyond national jurisdictions. Since 2014, India has obtained licences from the International Sea Bed Authority for seabed mineral exploration in international waters. Statement 3 is Correct: Rare earth minerals are among the potential resources found on the seabed in international waters, although their commercial viability is still being explored. Therefore, the correct statements are 2 and 3 only.

The term 'Social Cost of Carbon' is a measure of the economic damages, in dollars, that would result from emitting one additional ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It is used to value the climate impacts of rulemakings and helps policymakers understand the economic impacts of decisions that would increase or decrease emissions. Therefore, it is best described as the long-term damage done by a tonne of carbon dioxide emissions in a given year.

Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the report National Compilation on Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India, 2017 of CGWA, out of the total 6881 assessment units (Blocks/Mandals/ Talukas) in the country, 1186 units in various States (17%) have been categorized as Over-Exploited, 313 units (5%) as Critical, and 972 units (14%) as Semi-Critical. Statement 2 is correct: The CGWA was established in 1997 under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and manage groundwater resources. Statement 3 is correct: India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world. This is due to the country's heavy reliance on agriculture, which is predominantly rain-fed. Therefore, the correct answer is B. 2 and 3 only.

* The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants. It classifies species into six schedules, each offering different levels of protection. * Schedule VI of the Act pertains to certain plants that are prohibited from cultivation and planting without a license. Therefore, If a plant species is listed under Schedule VI, it means a license is required for its cultivation. * The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 amended the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The amendment reduced the number of schedules from six to four, simplifying wildlife classification and protection levels. Additionally, the Act also aligned the provisions with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) by introducing a separate schedule (Sch. IV) for species covered under CITES.

1. Copper slag is a by-product generated during the extraction and refining of copper. It can be used as a partial replacement for sand in concrete production, thus reducing the demand for natural resources. This reduces the environmental impact associated with sand mining. 2. Cold mix asphalt technology involves producing asphalt mixtures at lower temperatures compared to traditional hot mix asphalt. This results in reduced energy consumption during production and lower emissions of greenhouse gases. Cold mix asphalt also allows for the use of recycled materials, further enhancing its environmental sustainability. 3. Geotextiles are synthetic materials used in road construction for various purposes such as soil stabilisation, drainage, and erosion control. They can help in reducing the need for excessive excavation and use of natural resources like stone and gravel, thereby minimizing environmental impact. 4. Hot mix asphalt technology involves producing asphalt mixtures at high temperatures. While it provides excellent performance properties for roads, it typically requires higher energy consumption during production compared to cold mix asphalt technology. 5. Portland cement is a key ingredient in concrete production. While it is widely used in construction, its production process is energy-intensive and emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the correct answer is A. 1, 2, and 3 only.

Pair 1 is correctly matched. Alma Ata Declaration: The Declaration of Alma-Ata was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 612 September 1978. It expressed the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the health of all people. Pair 2 is not correctly matched. Hague Convention: The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or Hague Abduction Convention is a multilateral treaty developed by the Hague Conference on Private International Law that provides an expeditious method to return a child internationally abducted by a parent from one member country to another. Pair 3 is correctly matched. The Talanoa Dialogue is a process designed to help countries implement and enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions by 2020. The Dialogue was mandated by the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change to take stock of the collective global efforts to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Pair 4 is not correctly matched. The Under2 Coalition is a global community of state and regional governments committed to ambitious climate action in line with the Paris Agreement. The coalition brings together more than 220 governments that represent over 1.3 billion people and 43% of the global economy. Signatories commit to keeping global temperature rises to well below 2C with efforts to reach 1.5C.

* 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.