UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Environment Minister chairs 90th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife in Dehradun; key Policy Issues on Wildlife Conservation deliberated

Q1. Who is the ex-officio Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL)?

• A. The Prime Minister of India
• B. The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• C. The Director-General of Forests
• D. The Director, Wildlife Preservation

Q2. Consider the following statements comparing the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) with its Standing Committee and predecessor: 1. The NBWL is a statutory body, whereas its predecessor, the Indian Board for Wild Life, was only an advisory body. 2. The NBWL is constituted under Section 5A while its Standing Committee is constituted under Section 5B of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. 3. The Standing Committee, like the full Board, is chaired by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The NBWL is a statutory body, whereas its predecessor, the Indian Board for Wild Life, was only an advisory body.
2. The NBWL is constituted under Section 5A while its Standing Committee is constituted under Section 5B of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
3. The Standing Committee, like the full Board, is chaired by the Prime Minister.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1 and 3 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the powers and jurisdiction of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, consider the following: 1. It exercises the powers of the National Board for Wildlife between meetings of the full Board. 2. It recommends on project proposals falling within Protected Areas and their Eco-Sensitive Zones. 3. It is empowered to amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. 4. It clears proposals for projects located inside National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. It exercises the powers of the National Board for Wildlife between meetings of the full Board.
2. It recommends on project proposals falling within Protected Areas and their Eco-Sensitive Zones.
3. It is empowered to amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
4. It clears proposals for projects located inside National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 4 only
• C. 1, 2 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. The MoU between the Forest Survey of India and BISAG-N for geospatial technology in forest fire management and wildlife conservation was signed during which of the following meetings?

• A. The 88th meeting of the SC-NBWL in New Delhi
• B. The 89th meeting of the SC-NBWL in Bhopal
• C. The 90th meeting of the SC-NBWL in Dehradun
• D. The 7th meeting of the NBWL in Gir

Q5. The Forest Survey of India publishes the India State of Forest Report once in how many years?

• A. Every year
• B. Once in every two years
• C. Once in every three years
• D. Once in every five years

Q6. In which year was the Forest Survey of India established?

• A. 1972
• B. 1976
• C. 1981
• D. 1987

Q7. The 90th SC-NBWL meeting deliberated infrastructure proposals across several sectors. Consider the following: 1. Roads 2. Drinking water supply 3. Transmission lines 4. Offshore oil drilling platforms Which of the above is/are correctly identified as sectors of proposals considered at the meeting?

1. Roads
2. Drinking water supply
3. Transmission lines
4. Offshore oil drilling platforms

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 2 and 4 only
• C. 1, 2 and 3
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. The National Board for Wildlife and its Standing Committee function under the administrative aegis of which of the following ministries?

• A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• B. Ministry of Tribal Affairs
• C. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Q9. The 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife, held at Gir in March 2025, was chaired by whom?

• A. The Prime Minister of India
• B. The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• C. The Chief Minister of Gujarat
• D. The Director-General of Forests

Q10. Eco-Sensitive Zones around Protected Areas are notified under which of the following Acts?

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