Conservation of Resources

Van Mahotsav is generally observed during the first week of July. It promotes tree plantation and public awareness about forest conservation. Do not confuse it with World Environment Day, which is observed in June. Exam tip: Remember Van Mahotsav—first week of July.

India’s first National Forest Policy after independence was announced in 1952. It emphasised forest conservation, soil and water conservation, and the goal of bringing about one-third of the country’s land under forest cover. The year 1972 is associated with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, not the National Forest Policy. Exam tip: Remember the key National Forest Policy years—1952 and 1988.

The Indian Forest Service (IFS) was reconstituted in 1966 as an All India Service to support the scientific management and conservation of forest resources. The year 1972 is associated with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, so it is a close but incorrect distractor. Exam tip: Remember 1966 for the reconstitution of the IFS and 1972 for the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 was enacted to regulate the use of forest land for non-forest purposes. Therefore, 1980 is the correct answer. The year 1986 is associated with the Environment (Protection) Act, not the Forest (Conservation) Act. Exam tip: Remember Forest (Conservation) Act—1980 and Environment (Protection) Act—1986 as a pair.

The Environment (Protection) Act was passed in India in 1986. It gives the Central Government wide powers to protect and improve the environment. 1984 was the year of the Bhopal gas tragedy, not the year in which this Act was passed. Exam tip: Remember Environment (Protection) Act—1986 and Bhopal gas tragedy—1984 separately.

India’s revised National Forest Policy was announced in 1988. It emphasised ecological balance, environmental stability, and the involvement of local communities in forest conservation. The year 1980 is associated with the Forest (Conservation) Act, not with the revised National Forest Policy. Exam tip: Remember 1988 for the National Forest Policy and 1980 for the Forest (Conservation) Act.

The National Wasteland Development Board was established in 1985. It was intended to promote the development of wastelands and afforestation. The year 1992 may be confused with other environmental developments, but the Board itself was set up in 1985. Exam tip: Memorise the establishment years of environmental bodies along with their key functions.

The correct answer is 2010. The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 provided for the establishment of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for speedy disposal of cases related to environmental protection, forests, and natural resources. Although 2008 is a close distractor, the Act was not passed in that year. Exam tip: Remember NGT with the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 (CAMPA Act) was passed in 2016. It provides for managing funds collected when forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes and for compensatory afforestation. 2019 may cause confusion because of rules associated with the Act, but the Act itself is from 2016. Exam tip: link CAMPA with compensatory afforestation and diversion of forest land.

World Environment Day was first celebrated on 5 June 1974. The United Nations established the observance following the 1972 Stockholm Conference, so 1972 is linked to its establishment rather than its first celebration. Exam tip: remember World Environment Day as 5 June 1974.

The Ramsar Convention was adopted on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. It promotes international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. The year 1972 is associated with the Stockholm Conference, not the Ramsar Convention. Exam tip: remember Ramsar with wetlands and 1971.

India became a Contracting Party to the Ramsar Convention on 1 February 1982, so 1982 is correct. The year 1971 refers to the adoption of the Convention, not India’s accession. Exam tip: associate the Ramsar Convention with wetland conservation.

Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park were listed as Ramsar sites in 1981. They were India’s first two Ramsar sites and are important wetland conservation areas. 1982 is a close distractor because India joined the Ramsar Convention that year, but it is not the listing year asked here. Exam tip: Remember 1981 with Chilika and Keoladeo as India’s first Ramsar sites.

The Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve was declared in 1989. It protects the mangrove ecosystem of the Sundarbans in West Bengal and the habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The year 2001 relates to its inclusion in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, not to its declaration. Exam tip: Distinguish between the year a reserve was declared and the year it joined a UNESCO network.

The national guidelines for Joint Forest Management (JFM) were issued by the Government of India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1990. They promoted the participation of local communities in forest protection, regeneration and management. While 1988 is associated with the National Forest Policy, the JFM guidelines were issued in 1990. Exam tip: Remember JFM with community participation and the year 1990.

The first Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification was issued in 1991 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It aimed to regulate construction and prevent environmental damage in coastal areas. 1986 is the year of the Act, not of the first CRZ notification. Exam tip: Remember 1991 as the year of the first CRZ notification.

The revised Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification was issued in 2011. It aimed to regulate development activities while protecting coastal environments and ecologically sensitive areas. 1991 was the year of the original CRZ notification, whereas a later CRZ notification was issued in 2019. Exam tip: Remember the CRZ timeline as 1991, 2011, and 2019.

The Energy Conservation Act was passed in India in 2001. It promotes efficient use and conservation of energy and provides for the establishment of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). Although 2000 may appear close, the correct year is 2001. Exam tip: Associate energy efficiency and BEE with the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) started functioning in 2002. It was established under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 to promote efficient use of energy and energy conservation. While 2001 is the year of the Act, the Bureau began functioning in 2002. Exam tip: Distinguish between the year of an Act and the year an institution started functioning.

India’s energy-efficiency star-labelling programme was launched by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in 2006. It rates appliances according to their energy consumption; more stars generally indicate greater energy efficiency. 2010 was not the launch year of the programme. Exam tip: Remember star labelling with BEE and energy conservation.