UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A dangerous march towards a Himalayan ecocide

Q1. With reference to the Char Dham road project's evolution before the Supreme Court, consider the following statements: 1. The High Powered Committee chairman (Ravi Chopra) recommended a carriageway width of 5.5 metres in ecologically sensitive stretches, citing the MoRTH circular of March 2018. 2. In 2021, the Supreme Court permitted double-lane with paved shoulders (~10 m carriageway) for the project, accepting the Centre's strategic-border argument. 3. The Supreme Court subsequently constituted an oversight committee headed by former Justice A.K. Sikri to monitor environmental safeguards in implementation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The High Powered Committee chairman (Ravi Chopra) recommended a carriageway width of 5.5 metres in ecologically sensitive stretches, citing the MoRTH circular of March 2018.
  2. In 2021, the Supreme Court permitted double-lane with paved shoulders (~10 m carriageway) for the project, accepting the Centre's strategic-border argument.
  3. The Supreme Court subsequently constituted an oversight committee headed by former Justice A.K. Sikri to monitor environmental safeguards in implementation.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Which one of the following is the nodal Union Ministry that operationalises the Char Dham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojana?

  • A. Ministry of Tourism
  • B. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
  • C. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • D. Ministry of Culture

Q3. Consider the following agencies: 1. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) 2. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) 3. Uttarakhand State Public Works Department (PWD) 4. National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Which of the above are correctly identified as executing agencies for the Char Dham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojana?

  1. Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
  2. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
  3. Uttarakhand State Public Works Department (PWD)
  4. National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Under which of the following Acts was the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone — within which much of the Char Dham road widening in Uttarkashi district falls — notified in the Gazette of India in December 2012?

  • A. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
  • B. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
  • C. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • D. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002