CLAT GurukulSamudraManthan

Topic 224 · Answers

Disappearing lakes and the public trust doctrine

All 10 answers, each with its Book 1 RATNA fact. Try the questions first

  1. Question 1Answer C

    A CAG audit of 31 March 2026 found how many of 697 lakes recorded in Jammu and Kashmir in 1967 vanished or shrunk?

    • 481
    • 618
    • Correct answer: 518
    • 418

    Core Trigger: A CAG audit released on 31 March 2026 found 518 of 697 lakes recorded in 1967 in Jammu and Kashmir vanished or shrunk.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 224, point 1

  2. Question 2Answer A

    The vanished and shrunk lakes lost how much area in all?

    • Correct answer: 2,851.26 hectares
    • 4,120.50 hectares
    • 1,285.62 hectares
    • 985.30 hectares

    Key Finding: 315 lakes disappeared and 203 shrank, losing 2,851.26 hectares in all.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 224, point 2

  3. Question 3Answer D

    Who released the CAG report as Accountant General (Audit)?

    • K. Sanjay Murthy
    • Girish Chandra Murmu
    • Rajiv Mehrishi
    • Correct answer: Tsewang Tharchin

    Released By: Accountant General (Audit) Tsewang Tharchin released the report.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 224, point 3

  4. Question 4Answer D

    Under the public trust doctrine, in what capacity does the State hold lakes, rivers and forests?

    • As absolute owner
    • As neutral regulator only
    • As lessor to firms
    • Correct answer: As trustee for the public

    Key Term: Under the public trust doctrine the State holds lakes, rivers and forests as trustee for the public, not owner.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 224, point 4

  5. Question 5Answer B

    Only how many of the 697 lakes had conservation programmes, including Dal and Wular?

    • Eleven
    • Correct answer: Six
    • Two
    • Twenty

    Data: Only six lakes, including Dal and Wular, had conservation programmes; the other 691 had none.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 224, point 5

  6. Question 6Answer D

    Consider: 1) Of the 315 vanished lakes, 235 were under the Forest Department. 2) The other 80 were under the Revenue and Agriculture Departments. Which is/are correct?

    • Only 1
    • Only 2
    • Both 1 and 2
    • Correct answer: Neither

    Stakeholders: Of 315 vanished lakes, 235 were under Revenue and Agriculture Departments, 80 under Forest.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 224, point 6

  7. Question 7Answer B

    The CAG, the constitutional auditor under Article 148, is based in which city?

    • Kolkata
    • Correct answer: New Delhi
    • Lucknow
    • Mumbai

    Headquarters: The CAG, the constitutional auditor under Article 148, is based in New Delhi.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 224, point 8

  8. Question 8Answer D

    The NPCA was formed by merging wetlands and lake conservation programmes in which year?

    • 2019
    • 2009
    • 2016
    • Correct answer: 2013

    Founded: The NPCA was formed in 2013 by merging the wetlands and lake conservation programmes.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 224, point 9

  9. Question 9Answer D

    Which 1996 case made the public trust doctrine law in India?

    • Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action
    • Vellore Citizens' Welfare Forum
    • T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad
    • Correct answer: M.C. Mehta v Kamal Nath

    Landmark: M.C. Mehta v Kamal Nath (1996) made the doctrine law; Swachh Association (7 October 2025) extended it to man-made waterbodies.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 224, point 10

  10. Question 10Answer A

    Consider: 1) Article 48A directs protection of the environment. 2) Article 51A(g) is a Directive Principle binding the State. Which is/are correct?

    • Correct answer: Only 1
    • Only 2
    • Both 1 and 2
    • Neither

    Articles: Article 21 covers a healthy environment; Article 48A directs protection; Article 51A(g) makes it a duty.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 224, point 11

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