✅ Answer: A) 1 and 3 onlyPairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched. Wildlife Protection Act = 1972; Environment Protection Act = 1986. Pair 2 is incorrect — Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 (not 1981). The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1981. Correct sequence: Wildlife Protection Act (1972) → Water Act (1974) → Forest Conservation Act (1980) → Air Act (1981) → EPA (1986).

✅ Answer: A) M.C. Mehta vs Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak case, 1987)The Absolute Liability principle was established in M.C. Mehta vs Union of India (1987) — the Oleum Gas Leak case (Delhi). The Supreme Court held that enterprises engaged in hazardous activities are absolutely liable for any harm caused, without any exceptions. This is stricter than the English “Strict Liability” principle (which has exceptions like Act of God). M.C. Mehta is a prominent environmental lawyer who has filed many landmark PILs for environmental protection.

✅ Answer: A) Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs Union of India (1996)The Precautionary Principle was incorporated into Indian environmental law in the Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum case (1996). The Supreme Court held that when there is scientific uncertainty about potential environmental harm, precautionary measures should be taken. The burden of proof lies with those proposing the activity. The court also incorporated the Polluter Pays Principle and Sustainable Development doctrine. This case involved pollution from tanneries in Tamil Nadu’s Palar river basin.

✅ Answer: A) Protection of forests — Supreme Court’s ongoing supervision of forest management in IndiaThe T.N. Godavarman Thirumalpad case (1995) is one of the most significant environmental cases in India. It started as a case about illegal felling in the Nilgiris but expanded into the Supreme Court’s ongoing supervision of forest management across India. The court gave a broad definition of “forest” (including all areas recorded as forest in government records). It has issued hundreds of orders on forest protection, compensatory afforestation, and forest governance. The case is still ongoing.

✅ Answer: A) Compensate for forest land diverted for non-forest purposes by planting trees elsewhereCAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) was established to manage funds collected from industries that divert forest land for non-forest purposes. They must pay for compensatory afforestation (planting trees elsewhere) and Net Present Value (NPV) of the diverted forest. The CAMPA Act 2016 established a National CAMPA and State CAMPAs. Over ₹50,000 crore has been collected but utilisation has been slow. The Supreme Court has monitored CAMPA funds in the Godavarman case.

✅ Answer: A) Forest Rights Act (FRA)The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 is commonly known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA). It recognises and vests forest rights in forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other traditional forest dwellers (OTFDs). Rights include: individual rights (cultivation, habitation), community rights (grazing, fishing, collection), and community forest resource rights. Gram Sabhas play a key role. The Act corrects historical injustice done to tribal communities who were denied rights over forests they had lived in for generations.

✅ Answer: A) Environment Protection Act 1986The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 were issued under the Environment Protection Act 1986. They set noise standards for different zones: Industrial (75 dB day, 70 dB night), Commercial (65 dB day, 55 dB night), Residential (55 dB day, 45 dB night), Silence zones (50 dB day, 40 dB night). Silence zones include areas near hospitals, schools, courts. Violations can be reported to the police or SPCB. The Supreme Court has issued guidelines on noise pollution from loudspeakers and firecrackers.

✅ Answer: A) Environment Protection Act 1986Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are notified under the Environment Protection Act 1986. They are buffer zones around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries where certain activities are regulated or prohibited. The Supreme Court has directed that a minimum 1 km ESZ should be notified around all national parks and sanctuaries. ESZs restrict mining, quarrying, large industries, and other activities that could harm the protected area. The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (Gadgil Committee) recommended extensive ESZs in the Western Ghats.

✅ Answer: A) Environment Protection Act 1986The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 were issued under the Environment Protection Act 1986. They replaced the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010. The rules require states to identify and notify wetlands, prepare management plans, and regulate activities in and around wetlands. India has 75 Ramsar sites. The rules prohibit activities like reclamation, solid waste dumping, and discharge of untreated effluents in notified wetlands. State Wetland Authorities are responsible for implementation.

✅ Answer: A) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) — producers responsible for collecting and recycling plastic wasteThe Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 (amended 2018, 2021, 2022) require Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) — producers, importers, and brand owners are responsible for collecting and recycling plastic waste. India banned single-use plastics (SUPs) from July 1, 2022. The rules set minimum thickness for plastic bags (75 microns, later 120 microns). India generates about 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. The UN Environment Assembly adopted a resolution in 2022 to develop a global plastics treaty.