Pollution

National Pollution Control Day is observed in India on 2 December. It commemorates those affected by the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy and promotes awareness about controlling pollution. 4 December is observed as Navy Day, so it is not correct here. Exam tip: Remember national observances by linking them to their related event or purpose.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was passed in 1974. It aims to prevent and control water pollution and provides for Central and State Pollution Control Boards. The year 1981 is associated with the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, making it a close but incorrect distractor. Exam tip: Remember Water Act—1974 and Air Act—1981 together.

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was passed in 1981. It provides a legal framework for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution. The year 1974 is associated with the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, while 1986 relates to the Environment (Protection) Act. Exam tip: Remember Air Act—1981 and Environment Protection Act—1986 together.

Phase I of the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was launched in 1985. Its main objective was to reduce sewage and other pollutants entering the Ganga from towns along its banks. Option 1986 may seem close, but the plan was launched in 1985. Exam tip: Remember GAP Phase I—1985.

The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 was enacted to provide immediate relief to persons affected by accidents occurring while handling hazardous substances. Therefore, 1991 is the correct answer. The closest distractor is 1986, which is associated with the Environment (Protection) Act, not the Public Liability Insurance Act. Exam tip: Remember the pair: 1986—Environment (Protection) Act; 1991—Public Liability Insurance Act.

The National Environment Tribunal Act was enacted in 1995. It provided for a tribunal to grant relief and compensation to victims of accidents involving hazardous substances. The year 2002 is incorrect here; it is associated with the Biological Diversity Act. Exam tip: Memorise important environmental laws along with their enactment years.

The National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was established in 2009. It was intended to provide policy direction for Ganga conservation, pollution control, and integrated river-basin management. Although 2014 is associated with later Ganga-related initiatives, the Authority itself was established in 2009. Exam tip: Learn the establishment years of Ganga-related authorities and programmes separately.

The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 were notified by the Government of India on 18 March 2016. They replaced the earlier plastic waste rules and included provisions such as extended producer responsibility for producers. 2019 is not correct because it is associated with later amendments and initiatives on single-use plastic. Exam tip: remember the rule and notification year together—Plastic Waste Management Rules = 2016.

The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 were notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in India. They replaced the earlier Municipal Solid Wastes Rules, 2000 and emphasised segregation, collection and scientific disposal of waste. 2014 is incorrect because these rules were not notified in that year. Exam tip: Remember major environmental rules together with their notification years.

The E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 were notified in India on 23 March 2016. They emphasise Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), under which producers must arrange for the collection and environmentally sound disposal of e-waste. Option 2012 is a close distractor because earlier e-waste rules came into force then, but the rules with this title were notified in 2016. Exam tip: remember the rule title together with its year—E-Waste Management Rules, 2016.

The Government of India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2019. It aims to improve urban air quality through time-bound action plans to reduce air pollution. The year 2021 relates to the later implementation period, not to the launch of the programme. Exam tip: Remember NCAP with 2019 and urban air-pollution control.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was constituted in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The year 1981 is associated with the Air Act, so it is a close but incorrect option. Exam tip: Remember CPCB with the 1974 Water Act and air-pollution control with the 1981 Act.

The Montreal Protocol was adopted on 16 September 1987. It aims to protect the ozone layer by controlling the production and use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The year 1985 refers to the Vienna Convention, not the Montreal Protocol. Exam tip: World Ozone Day is observed on 16 September.

India acceded to the Montreal Protocol in 1992. The Protocol aims to control the production and use of ozone-depleting substances. 1987 is the year in which the Protocol was adopted globally, not the year India joined it. Exam tip: Distinguish between the date a treaty is adopted and the date a country accedes to it.

India notified the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules in 2000. These rules regulated the production, import, export and use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons. While 1992 is associated with India’s acceptance of the Montreal Protocol, it is not the year in which these rules were notified. Exam tip: remember the official rules title together with “2000.”

The National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) was formed in 1995 to coordinate programmes for controlling river pollution and conserving rivers. The year 1985 is associated with the launch of the Ganga Action Plan, not with the formation of the Directorate. Exam tip: Remember 1995 for NRCD and 1985 for the Ganga Action Plan.

The first phase of the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) was launched in 1993. It aimed to reduce pollution in the Yamuna through measures such as sewage treatment and river-cleaning infrastructure. 1995 was not the launch year of the first phase. Exam tip: Remember 1993 for YAP Phase I.

The correct answer is 2021. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) received its statutory basis through the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. It coordinates measures to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR and related concerns such as stubble burning. Although it was first created through an Ordinance in 2020, the law was enacted in 2021. Exam tip: distinguish between the year of an Ordinance and the year of the Act that replaces it.