UPSC Prelims 2018 Q4: Environment & Ecology – Environmental Governance & Legislation
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
NGT vs CPCB - Establishment and Mandate
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NGT established by an Act; CPCB created by an executive order | FALSE | Both are statutory bodies. NGT was established by the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. CPCB was constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (not by executive order). |
| 2 | NGT = environmental justice / reduces court burden; CPCB = cleanliness of streams and wells, air quality | TRUE | Preamble of NGT Act 2010 explicitly says the tribunal is for 'effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection'. CPCB's statutory functions under the 1974 Act include promoting cleanliness of streams and wells; under the Air Act 1981 it also improves air quality. |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is factually wrong - CPCB is a statutory body under the Water Act 1974, not an executive-order creation.
- (b) CORRECT. Only Statement 2 is right - the functional distinction (justice vs pollution monitoring) is accurate.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false because CPCB has a statutory basis, not an executive order.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 correctly describes their respective mandates.
Key point
NGT vs CPCB: Both are statutory. NGT (Act 2010) = judicial/quasi-judicial body for environmental disputes. CPCB (Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981) = executive/technical body for pollution monitoring and standards.
Remember
The National Green Tribunal was established by the NGT Act, 2010 to expeditiously resolve environmental disputes and reduce the burden on High Courts and Supreme Court. The Central Pollution Control Board was set up under the Water Act, 1974 to promote cleanliness of streams and wells and, since 1981, to improve air quality. Both are statutory - neither is a creature of executive order.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any regulatory body was created by executive order - always check its parent Act. CPCB traces to the 1974 Water Act.
- Confusing NGT (2010) with the National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) that it replaced.
- Thinking CPCB adjudicates disputes - it does not; that is NGT's role. CPCB sets standards and monitors compliance.
Exam tip
Rule of thumb: If a body has 'Tribunal' or 'Commission' in its name, it usually has adjudicatory/quasi-judicial functions. If it has 'Board', it is usually technical/regulatory/monitoring.
Sources
- National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (Preamble and Section 3)
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (Section 3 and 16)