Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the two specific constitutional provisions added via the 42nd Amendment in 1976 that mandate the protection of the environment and forests.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• In 1976, during the tenure of the Indira Gandhi government, the 42nd Amendment Act made significant changes to the Indian Constitution, including the addition of environmental protection as a state duty and a fundamental duty of citizens.
• Article 48A: Inserted into the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), it states: "The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country."
• Article 51A(g): Inserted into the Fundamental Duties, it states: "It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures."
• These articles provided the constitutional backbone for subsequent laws like the Forest Conservation Act (1980) and the Environment Protection Act (1986) and allowed for judicial activism in environmental cases.
• Options B, C, and D contain articles that deal with other matters like the protection of monuments, separation of judiciary, or general welfare and do not specifically target forests/environment in the 1976 context.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The articles are 48 A and 51 A.