1. Which of the following countries have granted legal rights to non-living entities?
- Ecuador
- Bolivia
- New Zealand
- India
- Bhutan
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 5
[B] Only 1, 2 & 3
[C] Only 2, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 2 & 3]
Notes:- The South American country of Ecuador, in 2008, approved a Constitution that grants tropical forests, islands, rivers and air, legal rights to “exist, flourish and evolve”. The country’s courts now recognize the rights of “Pacha Mama” or nature, to maintain and regenerate its cycles, structure, functions and evolutionary processes.
- More recently, in April 2022 Ecuador became the first country to grant legal rights to individual wild animals.
- Bolivia granted all nature rights equal to that of humans in 2011.
- New Zealand’s Whanganui River was the first in the world to be given legal status. The river, revered by the Maori people.
- The Uttarakhand High Court, on March 20, 2017, granted the river Ganga and its longest tributary Yamuna the legal right to be protected and not be harmed. Legal acts such as the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 exist, they do not recognize animals as individual living entities.
2. With reference to the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India, consider the following statements:
- A Constitution Bench consists of a minimum of three judges as per legal provisions.
- It is mandatory for the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to be a member of every Constitution Bench.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Neither 1 nor 2
[D] Both 1 and 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:
As per Article 145(3) of the Constitution and Supreme Court rules, a Constitution Bench must comprise at least five judges, not three. Furthermore, it is not binding on the Chief Justice of India to be a part of every Constitution Bench; the CJI decides its composition but need not participate directly. Thus, both statements are incorrect.
3. Which of the following countries are part of the Balkan nations?
- Estonia
- Albania
- Macedonia
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Romania
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 4 & 5
[B] Only 2, 3 & 6
[C] Only 1, 2, 3 & 6
[D] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2, 3 & 6]
Notes:
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are Baltic states and not part of the Balkan region. The Balkans include Albania, Macedonia (North Macedonia), and Romania along with other countries in southeastern Europe. Therefore, only options 2, 3, and 6 correctly represent Balkan nations among the given countries.
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