Q1. What is a key criticism of the Environmental Supplement Plan (ESP)?
- It improves biodiversity
- It creates employment opportunities
- It promotes the “Pay and Pollute” principle
- It is legally binding on violators
Correct Option: 3. It promotes the “Pay and Pollute” principle
Explanation: The Environmental Supplement Plan (ESP) allows violators of EIA rules to continue their project activities by paying a penalty and undertaking certain environmentally beneficial activities. However, critics argue that this undermines the spirit of the EIA process, which is meant to prevent environmental damage in the first place—not just compensate for it after the fact. By allowing post-violation regularization, it effectively legalizes non-compliance, giving rise to the “Pay and Pollute” model, which contradicts the core Polluter Pays Principle recognized under Indian and international environmental law.
Q2. Which of the following is not considered an environmentally sensitive area?
- Turtle nesting grounds
- National parks
- Religious monuments
- Highways
Correct Option: 4. Highways
Explanation: Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) include places of ecological, biological, cultural, or religious importance that are especially vulnerable to development-related impacts. These include national parks, tiger reserves, turtle nesting sites, religious monuments, and mangrove-rich estuaries. Highways, while important infrastructure, are not in themselves considered environmentally sensitive, though their proximity to ESAs may raise concerns.
Q3. Which body is responsible for issuing public hearing notices for projects requiring environmental clearance?
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
- State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
- National Green Tribunal (NGT)
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Correct Option: 2. State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
Explanation: The State Pollution Control Board is entrusted with conducting public hearings as part of the EIA clearance process. This includes issuing public notices in at least two newspapers (one in the local language), inviting public comments and objections within 30 days, and organizing the hearing itself. The SPCB ensures that the voices of local stakeholders and affected populations are heard before a project is cleared.
Q4. One key recommendation to improve the EIA process is:
- Removal of public hearings
- Use of single season data
- Creation of an independent EIA authority
- Increasing project cost thresholds
Correct Option: 3. Creation of an independent EIA authority
Explanation: Currently, EIA reports are often funded and commissioned by the project proponents themselves, raising concerns of bias and conflict of interest. One major recommendation for reform is to establish an independent EIA authority that can oversee the assessment process impartially. Such an authority would be responsible for hiring consultants, ensuring scientific rigor, and maintaining transparency—thereby restoring public trust in the EIA process.
Q5. Which of the following features is part of the PARIVESH portal?
- Offline application submission
- Single sign-in for all types of environmental clearances
- Only for wildlife-related projects
- Used only by NGOs
Correct Option: 2. Single sign-in for all types of environmental clearances
Explanation: PARIVESH offers a single sign-in system for submitting and managing applications related to various environmental approvals—namely, those concerning Environmental, Forest, Wildlife, and CRZ clearances. The platform is designed to enhance transparency, reduce delays, and improve monitoring by centralizing all clearance processes under one digital interface. It is open to project proponents, government authorities, and the public (for monitoring purposes).