Question

Difficulty: Very hardEnvironmental Institutions, Organizations and Initiatives in India

With reference to statutory environmental institutions and bodies in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a statutory body constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but is guided by principles of natural justice.
3. The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is a statutory advisory body established under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A
    1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 onlyAnswer
  3. C
    1 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 2 and 3 only are correct.
The correct option is the one identifying statements 2 and 3 only. Statement 2 is true because Section 19 of the NGT Act 2010 specifies that the tribunal is guided by natural justice principles rather than strict CPC procedures. Statement 3 is true as AWBI was created under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Statement 1 is false because CPCB was established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding the statutory origin of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Statement 1 is incorrect. CPCB was constituted under Section 3 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. It was later entrusted with powers under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, but was not founded under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Establishing the correct statutory parent act is essential for constitutional/statutory body classification in General Studies.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding the procedural mandate of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Statement 2 is correct. As per Section 19 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, the tribunal is explicitly exempted from being bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, and is guided by the principles of natural justice.
Understanding judicial vs quasi-judicial procedural flexibility of environmental tribunals.
3
Evaluate Statement 3 regarding the establishment of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).
Statement 3 is correct. The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body constituted under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, working under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Verifying statutory bodies dedicated to animal welfare and conservation governance in India.

Key Concept

Statutory foundation, parent legislation, and legal mandates of environmental bodies in India (CPCB, NGT, AWBI).
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