Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body 3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents20
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C2 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
Statement 1 — WRONG:
Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) was established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 — NOT the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
This is a common UPSC trick — mixing up the parent Act.
Statement 2 — CORRECT:
NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) IS a statutory body, created by amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2006.
It oversees Project Tiger.
Statement 3 — CORRECT:
NGRBA (National Ganga River Basin Authority) was chaired by the Prime Minister.
It was set up in 2009 under the Environment (Protection) Act.
(Later replaced by National Mission for Clean Ganga in 2016.)
NTCA was created in 2006 by amending the Wildlife Protection Act to give statutory backing to tiger conservation after criticism that Project Tiger lacked legal teeth.
UPSC regularly tests which specific Act established each environmental body - students commonly confuse the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 with the Environment Protection Act 1986.
The question tests knowledge of institutional frameworks for biodiversity conservation, requiring students to know the exact legal basis of each conservation authority.
Animal Welfare Board of India
Environment Animal Welfare Board of India
Animal Welfare Board of India: Establishment & Functions
AWBI established under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 — NOT Environment Protection Act
Statutory body under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Advises government on animal welfare laws and policies
Can investigate animal cruelty cases and file complaints
What is AWBI
The Animal Welfare Board of India is India's apex advisory body for animal welfare, established to prevent cruelty to animals and promote their welfare.
Key Details
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Established Under | Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 |
Year Established | 1962 |
Ministry | Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying |
Nature | Statutory Advisory Body |
Headquarters | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
Major Functions
Advises Central and State governments on animal welfare legislation
Investigates cases of animal cruelty and can file complaints in courts
Grants recognition to animal welfare organizations
Promotes humane treatment of animals through awareness programs
Reviews and suggests amendments to animal welfare laws
Question Context
This PYQ tests the exact parent Act under which AWBI was established. Statement 1 incorrectly states it was established under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Trap: AWBI established under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — actually under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
Don't confuse AWBI (animal welfare) with Central Zoo Authority (established under Wildlife Protection Act)
AWBI is advisory — it cannot directly prosecute, only file complaints
National Tiger Conservation Authority
Environment National Tiger Conservation Authority
National Tiger Conservation Authority: Statutory Body for Tiger Conservation
NTCA is a statutory body created by amending Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2006
Oversees Project Tiger and manages all tiger reserves in India
Chaired by Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
India has 50+ tiger reserves under NTCA management
What is NTCA
The National Tiger Conservation Authority is India's apex body for tiger conservation, created to provide statutory backing to Project Tiger and ensure systematic tiger conservation across the country.
NTCA Key Facts
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Legal Status | Statutory Body |
Created By | Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 |
Parent Act | Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 |
Ministry | Environment, Forest and Climate Change |
Chairperson | Minister (MoEF&CC) |
Headquarters | New Delhi |
Powers & Functions
Approves creation of new tiger reserves and their management plans
Monitors tiger population through periodic censuses
Relocates tigers from overpopulated reserves to new habitats
Coordinates with State Tiger Conservation Authorities
Sanctions funds for tiger conservation projects
Question Context
Statement 2 correctly identifies NTCA as a statutory body. This distinguishes it from non-statutory committees or advisory bodies.
NTCA is statutory — created by Parliamentary law, not executive order
Don't confuse with Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (also under Wildlife Protection Act but different functions)
NTCA manages tiger reserves specifically — not all protected areas
National Ganga River Basin Authority
Environment National Ganga River Basin Authority
National Ganga River Basin Authority: PM-Chaired Body for Ganga Conservation
NGRBA was chaired by the Prime Minister — Statement 3 is correct
Established in 2009 under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Replaced by NMCG (National Mission for Clean Ganga) in 2016
Had ₹15,000 crore budget for Ganga cleaning
What was NGRBA
The National Ganga River Basin Authority was India's apex body for Ganga river conservation from 2009-2016, with the unique distinction of being chaired directly by the Prime Minister.
NGRBA vs Current Structure
Aspect | NGRBA (2009-2016) | NMCG (2016-Present) |
|---|---|---|
Chairperson | Prime Minister | Secretary-level officer |
Legal Status | Authority under EPA 1986 | Society under Societies Act |
Focus | Entire Ganga basin | Namami Gange Programme |
Budget | ₹15,000 crore | ₹20,000+ crore |
Approach | Basin-wide planning | Mission mode implementation |
Why PM Chairmanship Mattered
Inter-state coordination — Ganga flows through 5 states, needed highest authority
Resource mobilization — PM chairmanship ensured priority funding
Administrative clout — Could direct all ministries and state governments
Political commitment — Demonstrated government's seriousness about Ganga cleaning
Question Context
Statement 3 correctly states that NGRBA was chaired by the Prime Minister. This was factually accurate for the 2009-2016 period when NGRBA existed.
NGRBA existed from 2009-2016 — don't assume it's still operational
PM was chairperson of NGRBA — current NMCG has secretary-level chairperson
NGRBA was under EPA 1986 — not a separate Parliamentary Act
Environment Protection Act 1986
Environment Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: India's Umbrella Environmental Law
Umbrella Act for environmental protection — enacted after Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Provides framework for Central government to coordinate environmental policies
Many bodies established under EPA — NGRBA, CPCB, SPCBs
Article 253 basis — implements international environmental agreements
Background & Purpose
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is India's umbrella environmental law, enacted in response to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy to provide a comprehensive legal framework for environmental protection.
Bodies Under EPA 1986
Body | Function | Status |
|---|---|---|
Central Pollution Control Board | Air & water pollution control | Active |
State Pollution Control Boards | State-level pollution control | Active |
NGRBA | Ganga basin management | Dissolved 2016 |
Environmental Appraisal Committee | Project clearances | Active |
Expert Appraisal Committee | Technical evaluation | Active |
Key Provisions
Central government powers to issue directions to any authority
Environmental standards for air, water, soil quality
Penalties for environmental violations — imprisonment up to 5 years
Environmental clearance mandatory for specified projects
Emergency powers during environmental disasters
Question Connection
The PYQ tests which bodies are established under EPA 1986. NGRBA was under EPA, but AWBI was not — it's under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
AWBI is NOT under EPA 1986 — it's under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
EPA is Central subject — states implement through SPCBs
Don't confuse EPA 1986 with Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (different scope)