marine life, coastal ecosystems and lakes etc. — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. Under the 1976 Maritime Zones Act, India's territorial waters extend up to:

   • 3 nautical miles
   • 12 nautical miles (correct answer)
   • 24 nautical miles
   • 200 nautical miles

   Explanation. Territorial waters extend twelve nautical miles from the nearest point of the baseline (section 3 of the 1976 Act).

2. In its exclusive economic zone, a coastal State has:

   • No rights at all
   • Only the right of innocent passage
   • Sovereign rights over resources and a duty to protect the marine environment (correct answer)
   • Full sovereignty as over its land

   Explanation. India has an exclusive economic zone in which a coastal State has sovereign rights over resources and a duty to protect the marine environment.

3. The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification is issued under:

   • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (correct answer)
   • Indian Ports Act
   • Fisheries Act
   • Forest Act, 1927

   Explanation. The CRZ Notification is delegated legislation under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

4. Which coastal areas receive the strictest protection under the CRZ framework?

   • Ecologically sensitive areas such as mangroves and coral reefs (correct answer)
   • Commercial ports
   • Industrial estates
   • Airports

   Explanation. Mangroves and coral reefs are in the most protected category.

5. Which Rules regulate notified wetlands, including lakes?

   • Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 (correct answer)
   • Noise Pollution Rules, 2000
   • Plastic Waste Rules, 2016
   • Ozone Rules, 2000

   Explanation. The 2017 Wetlands Rules restrict reclamation, dumping and conversion in notified wetlands.

6. Which case applied the public trust doctrine to a river bank and lake shore?

   • M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath (correct answer)
   • Hadley v. Baxendale
   • Balfour v. Balfour
   • Donoghue v. Stevenson

   Explanation. Kamal Nath held that the State is trustee of natural resources like rivers and shores for the public.

7. In S. Jagannath v. Union of India (1997), the Supreme Court ordered closure of:

   • Shrimp farms violating the CRZ Notification (correct answer)
   • Tanneries in Tamil Nadu
   • Oleum plants in Delhi
   • Stone crushers in Haryana

   Explanation. The Court ordered closure of shrimp farms set up in violation of the CRZ Notification.

8. The Water Act, 1974 applies to sea or tidal waters:

   • Always
   • Only to the extent notified by the State Government (correct answer)
   • Never
   • Only in monsoon

   Explanation. The Act covers sea or tidal waters only to the extent notified by the State Government.