Daily Current Affairs (MCQ) | Date 05.01.22

Q1. Consider the following statements about the Central Zoo Authority (CZA)

1. It is formed under the mandate of the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972
2. Zoos can not be opened by private individuals

Which of the above is/are correct?

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer : a

Why is the Question ?

Statements 2 is incorrect there is no such prohibition The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is the body of the government of India responsible for oversight of zoos. It is an affiliate member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). The CZA was formed to bring Indian zoos up to international standards. Before the CZA was formed, many zoos were poorly managed, with unsuitable animal enclosures and little or no breeding records of animals, which caused inbreeding and hybridization (genetic pollution, as in one case where an Asiatic lion was cross-bred with an African lion).

The Central Zoo Authority has been constituted under section 38A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972. The Authority consists of a Chairman, ten members and a Member Secretary. The main objective of the authority is to complement the national effort in the conservation of wildlife. Standards and norms for housing, upkeep, health care and overall management of animals in zoos have been laid down under the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992. Every zoo in the country is required to obtain recognition from the Authority for its operation. The Authority evaluates the zoos with reference to the parameters prescribed under the Rules and grants recognition accordingly. Zoos that have no potential to come up to the prescribed standards and norms may be refused recognition and asked to close down.
Since its inception in 1992, the Authority has evaluated 347 zoos, out of which 164 have been recognized and 183 refused recognition. Out of 183 zoos refused recognition, 92 have been closed down and their animals relocated suitably. Cases of the remaining 91 derecognized zoos are currently under review. The Authority’s role is more of a facilitator than a regulator. It, therefore, provides technical and financial assistance to such zoos which have the potential to attain the desired standard in animal management. Only such captive facilities which have neither the managerial skills nor the requisite resources are asked to close down.
Apart from the primary function of a grant of recognition and release of financial assistance, the Central Zoo Authority also regulates the exchange of animals of endangered category Listed under Schedule-I and II of the Wildlife Protection Act among zoos. The exchange of animals between Indian and foreign zoos is also approved by the Authority before the requisite clearances under EXIM Policy and the CITES permits are issued by the competent authority.
As of 31/1/2020 a total of 145 zoos are there in the country out of these 1 is private and 13 belong to NGOs/Trusts/Society. 

Zoos to be developed on PPP model
Zoos across the country will be developed on a public-private partnership (PPP) model, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said on Monday, as the Central government seeks to tap private funding to run the animal parks.
A policy to upgrade 160 zoos on a PPP model would be announced in the next Union budget, which is expected to be presented on February 1, Javadekar said.
State governments, civic bodies, businesses and private individuals would all be key elements of the PPP model, he added.
The Central Zoo Authority (CZA), which oversees India’s zoological parks, has a budget of less than Rs 12 crore, of which a meagre amount is set aside for zoos, a CZA official said on condition of anonymity.
“Zoos cannot be sustained on a shoestring budget. Out of the 160 zoos in the country, 10 have been selected for the vision plan. A private consultant is working on how they can be developed on a PPP model,” the official said.
“We have a handful of private zoos and very few civic body and society-run zoos. It’s a new concept in India. The PPP model will follow the finance ministry’s rules. We are in talks with private partners,” he added.
Javadekar also released a first-of-its-kind study on the economic evaluation of the National Zoological Park in Delhi. The annual economic value of various ecosystem services provided by the park in 2019-20 is estimated to be Rs 422.76 crore, and the onetime cost of services and land provided by the zoo is estimated to be Rs 55,209.45 crore, the study said.

The CZA had commissioned The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to make an evaluation of the services provided by the zoo. Almost 77% of the contribution comes from the recreational and cultural services of the zoo, while education and research -- the next most important service -- contributes only 9% to the total economic value.

Q2. The National Green Tribunal resolves various civil cases under the following laws

1. The Forest Act (Conservation), 1980
2. The Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972
3. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
4. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1, 2 and 3
b. 2, 3 and 4
c. 1, 3 and 4
d. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer : c

Why is the Question ?

Disputes related to the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 are not covered by NGT.
The National Green Tribunal has been established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for 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 the environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multidisciplinary issues. The Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
The Tribunal's dedicated jurisdiction in environmental matters shall provide speedy environmental justice and help reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts. The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of the filing of the same. 

Powers of NGT
Over the past few years, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) developed as an important body for regulation of the environment and passing strict orders on issues related to pollution, deforestation, waste management, etc. Some of the major powers of the National Green Tribunal include:
1. NGT provides a way for the evolution of environmental jurisprudence through the development of an alternative dispute resolution mechanism.
2. It helps in the reduction of the litigation burden on environmental matters in the higher courts.
3. NGT provides a faster solution for various environmentrelated disputes that are less formal and less expensive.
4. It curbs environment-damaging activities. NGT ensures the strict observance of the Environment Impact Assessment process.

5. NGT provides reliefs and compensations for any damages caused to persons and properties.
6. The National Green Tribunal resolves various civil cases under the following seven laws that are related to the environment:
a. Water Act (Prevention and Control of Pollution), 1974
b. Water Cess Act (Prevention and Control of Pollution), 1977
c. Forest Act (Conservation), 1980
d. Air Act (Prevention and Control of Pollution), 1981
e. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
f. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
g. Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Q3. Which of the following parts of the Indian constitution mentions protection of the Natural Environment and Environmental rights

1. Fundamental Rights
2. Fundamental Duties
3. The Directive Principles of State Policy

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Our constitution, originally, did not contain any direct provision regarding the protection of the natural environment. However, after the United Nations Conference on Human Environment, held in Stockholm in 1972, the Indian constitution was amended to include protection of the environment as a constitutional mandate.
1. The forty-second amendment (Fundamental Duties) Clause (g) to Article 51A of the Indian constitution made it a fundamental duty to protect and improve the natural environment.
2. Clause (g) to Article 51A of the Indian constitution states “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and have compassion for living creatures.”
3. There is a directive, given to the State as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy regarding the protection and improvement of the environment.
4. Article 48A states “The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country”.

5. Article 21 of the Indian Constitution assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment.

Q4. Which of the following draw their legal authority from the Wildlife protection act 1972?

1. National park
2. Wildlife sanctuary
3. Conservation reserves
4. Community reserves
5. The National Tiger Conservation Authority
6. Central Zoo authority

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1, 2, 5 and 6
b. 1, 2 and 5 only
c. 1, 2 and 6 only
d. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

All of these are statutory bodies under the Wildlife protection act 1972.