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RAS question

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) was established under:

Correct answer: (C) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The Central Zoo Authority was established in 1992 under Chapter IVA of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

  1. (A)

    Biodiversity Act

  2. (B)

    Forest Conservation Act

  3. (C)

    Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

  4. (D)

    EPA, 1986

Explanation

The Central Zoo Authority is a statutory body created after the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was amended in 1991 to add Chapter IVA, covering Sections 38A to 38J. The official CZA introduction states that the Authority was then established by the Government of India in 1992 under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The Wildlife (Protection) Act is the parent law for CZA rather than a general environment or forest statute: CZA recognises zoos, evaluates them against prescribed standards, specifies minimum standards for housing, upkeep and veterinary care, and coordinates breeding-related work such as captive breeding, acquisition, exchange and loaning of animals for breeding purposes.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) The Biodiversity Act is not the parent statute for CZA; CZA was established under Chapter IVA of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • (B) The Forest Conservation Act is not the basis for CZA's creation; CZA was created after the 1991 amendment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • (D) EPA, 1986 is not the statute under which CZA was established; CZA's statutory basis is Chapter IVA of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Concept

Conservation institutions are matched with their parent laws through their specific statutory hooks. For the Central Zoo Authority, that statutory hook is Chapter IVA of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, not zoo administration in general.

Source

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