Environmental Law & Policy

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body constituted in the Ministry of Environment and Forests under Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. - The GEAC is responsible for the appraisal of proposals involving the release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture focuses on ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. This directly impacts biodiversity as it aims to protect the variety of plant species crucial for food security and ecosystem health. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification addresses land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. Desertification can significantly reduce biodiversity by destroying habitats and reducing plant and animal life. By working to combat desertification, this convention indirectly protects biodiversity. The World Heritage Convention focuses on preserving cultural and natural heritage sites. Conservation natural heritage sites may contribute to biodiversity conservation.
Thus 'D' is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is correct: Prevention of soil runoff IWDP promotes practices that reduce soil erosion, protecting valuable topsoil and improving land fertility. Statement 2 is incorrect: Linking perennial and seasonal rivers While water resource management is a part of IWDP, it doesn't focus on physically linking separate river systems. The National River Linking Project is a separate project to interlink rivers. Statement 3 is correct: Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge IWDP encourages rainwater conservation techniques, allowing more water to infiltrate the ground and replenish aquifers. Statement 4 is correct: Regeneration of natural vegetation IWDP often involves planting trees and promoting sustainable land management practices, leading to increased vegetation cover.

Wetlands International is a global organisation that works to sustain and restore wetlands and their resources for people and biodiversity. Statement 1 is incorrect: It is an independent, not-for-profit, global organisation, supported by government and NGO membership from around the world. Statement 2 is correct: Wetlands International is dedicated to maintaining and restoring wetlands for their environmental values as well as for the services they provide to people. It works at the field level to develop and mobilise knowledge and use this practical experience to advocate for better policies.

The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or other human interference. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

GEF is an independently operating financial organization. The GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. The GEF serves as a financial mechanism for five conventions, which are - Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), - UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), - and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Eco-Sensitive Zones are not under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972. They are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. While they often surround protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries and national parks established under the Wildlife Act, they are a separate mechanism. Statement 2 is incorrect: Eco-Sensitive Zones do not prohibit all human activities. The purpose is to regulate and manage specific activities to minimize their impact on the sensitive ecosystem. Some sustainable activities like agriculture, local communities' traditional practices, and eco-tourism may be permitted with regulations.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, not the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Statement 2 is correct: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006. Thus, NTCA is a statutory body. It is responsible for the implementation of Project Tiger. Statement 3 is correct: The National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and was chaired by the Prime Minister. It aimed to plan and coordinate measures for the conservation and management of the Ganga River. (It was later replaced by the National Ganga Council in 2016.)

Contour Bunding is associated with terracing, to check the flow of water on a hill slope in order to reduce soil erosion. This method is crucial for preventing soil erosion and is a part of sustainable land management practices.

Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, the Gram Sabha has been assigned to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both that may be given.