UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC to examine if law is diluting the count of wetlands in India
Q1. Under Rule 2(g) of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, consider the following as EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED from the definition of a 'wetland':
1. River channels
2. Paddy fields
3. Peatlands
4. Human-made tanks constructed for salt production
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- River channels
- Paddy fields
- Peatlands
- Human-made tanks constructed for salt production
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 2 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q2. With reference to how Rule 2(g) of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 compares with the Ramsar Convention's approach, consider the following statements:
1. The Ramsar Convention's definition of wetlands draws no distinction between natural and man-made wetlands.
2. Rule 2(g) expressly excludes river channels and paddy fields, which the Ramsar definition does not exclude.
3. Wetlands notified as Ramsar sites of international importance fall entirely outside the purview of the 2017 Rules.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Ramsar Convention's definition of wetlands draws no distinction between natural and man-made wetlands.
- Rule 2(g) expressly excludes river channels and paddy fields, which the Ramsar definition does not exclude.
- Wetlands notified as Ramsar sites of international importance fall entirely outside the purview of the 2017 Rules.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. Consider the following statements about the Ramsar Convention:
1. It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
2. It is formally the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
3. India acceded to the Convention in 1982.
4. The first Ramsar sites designated in India were Chilika Lake and Loktak Lake.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
- It is formally the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
- India acceded to the Convention in 1982.
- The first Ramsar sites designated in India were Chilika Lake and Loktak Lake.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1, 3 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q4. How many years elapsed between the adoption of the Ramsar Convention and India's accession to it?
- A. 4 years
- B. 9 years
- C. 11 years
- D. 15 years
Q5. In the 2026 petition before the Supreme Court challenging Rule 2(g), how many of India's 94 Ramsar sites did the petitioners state are human-made and at risk of losing protected status?
Q6. With reference to the 2026 Supreme Court proceedings on Rule 2(g) of the 2017 Rules, consider the following:
1. The petition was filed as a writ under Article 32 of the Constitution.
2. The Bench issuing notice was headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
3. The petition seeks a declaration that Rule 2(g) is ultra vires Articles 14, 19 and 21.
4. The lead petitioner was Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- The petition was filed as a writ under Article 32 of the Constitution.
- The Bench issuing notice was headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
- The petition seeks a declaration that Rule 2(g) is ultra vires Articles 14, 19 and 21.
- The lead petitioner was Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 2, 3 and 4
- C. 1, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q7. Regarding the concern over human-made wetlands under Rule 2(g), consider the following statements:
1. All of India's Ramsar sites are human-made wetlands.
2. A number of India's Ramsar sites are human-made and, per the petitioners, could lose protection under Rule 2(g).
3. Human-made water bodies built solely for salt production fall within the exclusions of Rule 2(g).
4. Under Rule 2(g), every human-made Ramsar-listed site is automatically stripped of all protection.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- All of India's Ramsar sites are human-made wetlands.
- A number of India's Ramsar sites are human-made and, per the petitioners, could lose protection under Rule 2(g).
- Human-made water bodies built solely for salt production fall within the exclusions of Rule 2(g).
- Under Rule 2(g), every human-made Ramsar-listed site is automatically stripped of all protection.
- A. 1 and 4
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q8. Which one of the following is the largest Ramsar site in India by area?
- A. Sundarban Wetland, West Bengal
- B. Chilika Lake, Odisha
- C. Vembanad-Kol, Kerala
- D. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
Q9. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 were notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 by which Union ministry?
- A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- B. Ministry of Jal Shakti
- C. Ministry of Earth Sciences
- D. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare
Q10. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 replaced the earlier 2010 Rules after a gap of how many years?
- A. 5 years
- B. 6 years
- C. 7 years
- D. 8 years
Q11. In the petition against Rule 2(g), the argument that the exclusions endanger the right to life and personal liberty rests principally on which Article of the Constitution?
- A. Article 14
- B. Article 19
- C. Article 21
- D. Article 32
Q12. Which one of the following States has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India?
- A. Tamil Nadu
- B. Uttar Pradesh
- C. West Bengal
- D. Gujarat