UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies

Question 90: Environment and Ecology

Which one of the following Union Ministries implements the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety ?

aMinistry of Science and Technology

bMinistry of Health and Family Welfare

cMinistry of Environment and Forests

dMinistry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

AnswerThe answer is (c).

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (now Environment, Forest and Climate Change) is the nodal ministry that implements the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which governs the safe handling and transboundary movement of living modified organisms. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, under it, clears release of genetically modified organisms.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Science and Technology supports biotechnology research but is not the nodal ministry.
(b) Health and Family Welfare is not the implementing ministry.
(c) Right: the Ministry of Environment and Forests implements the Protocol.
(d) Chemicals and Fertilizers is not the implementing ministry.

Worth knowing: The ministry was renamed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2014, so option (c) now carries a different name.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.