UPSC Prelims MCQs — Aravalli Hills & Supreme Court Case
Q1. The Supreme Court recently described the Aravalli hills as a “green barrier” primarily because they:
Answer: B
Q2. As per the MoEF&CC committee definition accepted by the Supreme Court, a landform qualifies as an Aravalli hill if:
Answer: B
Q3. The term Aravalli Range in the judgment refers to:
Answer: C
Q4. The Supreme Court directed that no new mining leases shall be granted until the Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is finalised by:
Answer: B
Q5. Which of the following environmental functions of the Aravalli Range is most significant for the National Capital Region (NCR)?
Answer: C
Q6. The Court stated that mining in ecologically sensitive and conservation-critical areas of the Aravalli landscape shall be:
Answer: B
Q7. Which principle of environmental law is most closely reflected in the Court’s direction to restrict mining pending scientific assessment?
Answer: C
Q8. Consider the following ecological roles of the Aravalli system:
-
Groundwater recharge
-
Prevention of soil erosion
-
Maintenance of biodiversity corridors
-
Regulation of monsoon onset
How many of the above are major recognised ecosystem functions of the Aravallis?
Answer: B (1, 2, 3)
Q9. Which of the following states do NOT contain any part of the Aravalli Range?
Answer: C
Q10. The Supreme Court’s suo motu cognisance of the Aravalli definition relates mainly to which governance theme?
Answer: C
Q1. With reference to semi-arid landscapes such as the Aravalli region, consider the following ecological functions:
-
Acting as a barrier against aeolian sand transport
-
Supporting scrub-forest biodiversity niches
-
Enhancing groundwater recharge through rocky fissures
-
Reducing the albedo effect and surface heat absorption
How many of the above are the correct ecological roles of such landscapes?
A. Only two
B. Only three
C. All four
D. Only one
Answer: B — Only three
Explanation:
Semi-arid rocky hills:
✔ block dust/sand movement
✔ sustain scrub-forest habitats
✔ aid groundwater recharge
Albedo reduction is incorrect — rocky landscapes often increase heat absorption.
Q2. The concept of landscape-level conservation primarily differs from species-focused conservation because it:
A. Treats each ecosystem as an independent conservation unit
B. Emphasises connectivity between fragmented ecological patches
C. Focuses only on protected forest boundaries
D. Gives priority to endemic species alone
Answer: B
Explanation:
Landscape conservation = corridor connectivity + ecological continuity, not just notified forest areas.
Q3. Consider the following statements:
-
Scrub forests in semi-arid regions store less carbon and therefore have low conservation value.
-
Ridge ecosystems may be ecologically sensitive even if their elevation is low.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B — 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is wrong — scrub forests:
-
stabilize soil
-
support pollinators
-
act as climate buffers
Elevation alone does NOT determine ecological value.
Q4. Which of the following best represents the Precautionary Principle in environmental governance?
A. Environmental harm must be proven before restrictions are imposed.
B. Development should proceed unless irreversible environmental damage is certain.
C. Activity may be restricted when environmental risk cannot be fully assessed.
D. Only activities involving hazardous industries must undergo scientific review.
Answer: C
Explanation:
Precautionary principle = avoid or restrict actions when risk is uncertain.
Q5. Consider the following environmental consequences of excessive mining in rocky hill systems:
-
Reduction in groundwater recharge potential
-
Enhanced dust aerosol concentration in nearby urban regions
-
Loss of micro-habitats supporting endemic species
-
Increase in sequestration potential due to land alteration
How many of the above are valid concerns?
A. Only two
B. Only three
C. All four
D. Only one
Answer: B — Only three
Explanation:
Mining causes:
✔ reduced recharge
✔ dust increase
✔ habitat disruption
Land alteration does NOT increase sequestration.
Q6. In environmental jurisprudence, continuing mandamus refers to:
A. Periodic review of an environmental case until compliance is achieved
B. Transfer of executive powers to the judiciary
C. Temporary suspension of environmental regulations
D. Appointment of judicial officers in regulatory bodies
Answer: A
Explanation:
Continuing mandamus = case remains open for monitoring compliance (Godavarman line of cases).
Q7. Which of the following statements regarding scrub and thorn forest ecosystems is/are correct?
-
They recover rapidly after land degradation due to high primary productivity.
-
They are important for faunal corridors in semi-arid landscapes.
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B — 2 only
Explanation:
Scrub forests have low productivity → slow recovery.
But they are critical movement corridors for fauna.
Q8. Consider the following:
-
Eco-sensitive zones
-
Wildlife corridors
-
Restoration-priority landscapes
-
Compensatory afforestation zones
Which of the above may extend outside legally notified forest areas?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D
Explanation:
All four can exist outside reserved forests, depending on ecological need.
Q9. Which of the following best explains why ridge systems near urban regions are environmentally significant?
A. They increase rainfall through orographic lifting
B. They act as windbreak and dust-filtration barriers
C. They prevent groundwater recharge into urban aquifers
D. They reduce surface radiation cooling at night
Answer: B
Explanation:
Ridges act as natural dust shields + wind buffers, especially near NCR.
Q10. With reference to environmental protection and judicial intervention, which of the following statements is/are correct?
-
Courts may direct the preparation of scientific management plans before permitting resource extraction.
-
Courts may prohibit activities temporarily until compliance frameworks are prepared.
-
Courts may replace statutory regulations with judicially-created legal frameworks.
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A — 1 and 2 only
Q1. The Supreme Court’s decision to halt new mining leases in the Aravalli landscape until the Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is finalised best reflects which constitutional principle?
-
Separation of powers
-
Judicial oversight over environmental governance
-
Cooperative federalism
-
Parliamentary supremacy
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: C — 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
The Supreme Court intervened because mining decisions had ecological implications beyond one state.
Its action reflects:
-
Separation of powers → Court checks executive actions when rights/environment are at risk.
-
Judicial oversight → Ensures environmental safeguards are followed.
-
Cooperative federalism → Mining, ecology, and forests involve both the Centre + States; the Court coordinates actions.
Parliamentary supremacy is not relevant here.
Q2. The Supreme Court’s suo motu cognisance in the Aravalli mining case derives legitimacy primarily from which of the following?
A. Article 32 read with Articles 141–142
B. Article 226 read with Article 300A
C. Article 131 read with Article 368
D. Article 143 read with the Seventh Schedule
Answer: A
Explanation:
-
Article 32 → Enforcement of Fundamental Rights
-
Article 141 → Supreme Court judgments are binding law
-
Article 142 → Court may do “complete justice” in public interest
Suo motu powers evolved through PIL jurisprudence under Article 32.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding suo motu jurisdiction:
-
It allows the Court to initiate proceedings without receiving a formal petition.
-
It is primarily grounded in Public Interest Litigation (PIL) jurisprudence.
-
It can be exercised only in matters involving fundamental rights violations.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Answer: B — Statements 1 and 2 are correct
Explanation:
✔ Court may start proceedings on its own
✔ Originated in PIL & social action litigation
Statement 3 is wrong because suo motu may be used for:
-
governance failures
-
environmental protection
-
custodial deaths
-
disaster response
-
illegal mining etc.
Not only FR-based issues.
Q4. Which situation most appropriately justifies a suo motu intervention under the environmental rule of law?
A. Dispute between states over mining royalty
B. Public concern over the dilution of ecological safeguards affecting a critical landscape
C. Contract dispute between a company and the state government
D. Tourism proposal in an eco-sensitive zone
Answer: B
Explanation:
Suo motu is used when:
-
ecological risk is large scale
-
executive response appears insufficient
-
public interest is significant
Dilution of Aravalli protection fits these conditions.
Q5. Requiring identification of ecologically sensitive and conservation-critical areas before mining aligns most closely with:
A. Principle of Absolute Liability
B. Doctrine of Eclipse
C. Precautionary Principle
D. Doctrine of Harmonious Construction
Answer: C — Precautionary Principle
Explanation:
-
Risk must be prevented before damage occurs
-
The burden of proof lies on the developer
-
Science-based evaluation precedes approval
The Court paused leases pending a scientific mining plan → classic precautionary approach.
Q6. Which body was tasked with preparing the scientific basis for the sustainable mining framework in the Aravalli landscape?
A. National Green Tribunal (NGT)
B. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)
C. Central Ground Water Authority
D. National Board for Wildlife
Answer: B — ICFRE
Explanation:
MoEF&CC directed ICFRE to prepare:
-
ecological assessment
-
restoration-priority classification
-
sustainable mining framework
Mining is allowed only after this plan is finalised.
Q7. Implications of redefining the Aravalli hills using the 100-metre elevation criterion include:
-
Previously protected ridge ecosystems may fall outside protection.
-
Fragmented hill systems may be excluded despite ecological continuity.
-
Landscape-level conservation planning may weaken.
How many of the above are valid concerns?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Answer: C — All three
Explanation:
Critics argue:
-
Low-height ridges = ecologically vital scrub forests
-
Urban ridge systems (esp. NCR) risk exclusion
-
Mining may expand into marginal hill zones
Thus, fragmentation + loss of continuity are genuine risks.
Q8. Allowing mining only in “scientifically justified exceptional circumstances” reflects:
A. Sustainable development through risk-based decision-making
B. Promotion of economic development
C. Replacement of statutory regulation with judicial orders
D. Complete delegation of mining regulation to the Centre
Answer: A
Explanation:
The court did not ban mining completely.
Instead:
-
default = prohibition in sensitive zones
-
exception = scientifically proven minimal-impact mining
This is risk-aware sustainable development.
Q9. With reference to judicial environmental governance in India:
-
The Supreme Court may issue a continuing mandamus.
-
It may constitute expert committees.
-
It may review or suspend statutory clearances.
Which statements are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D — All three
Explanation:
Indian environmental jurisprudence includes:
-
continuing mandamus
(cases kept open for ongoing monitoring — Godavarman case) -
expert committees
to aid scientific evaluation -
review of clearances
when they violate environmental safeguards
The Court supervises compliance — not administration.
Q10. Which case most significantly expanded PIL-based environmental jurisprudence and suo motu intervention?
A. Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala
B. M.C. Mehta vs Union of India
C. S.R. Bommai vs Union of India
D. T.N. Godavarman vs Union of India
Answer: B — M.C. Mehta vs Union of India
Explanation:
M.C. Mehta cases led to:
-
expansion of environment-PIL
-
polluter pays principle
-
absolute liability doctrine
-
continuous environmental monitoring
(T.N. Godavarman later institutionalised forest conservation monitoring, which is also important.)
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