Q.1. In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Manipur
(c) Meghalaya
(d) Nagaland
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the foothills of the Eastern Himalaya, in the East Kameng
District of Arunachal Pradesh.
It was given its status in 1977 and was earlier part of the Khellong Forest Division.
It was declared a tiger reserve in 2002
Q. 2.Consider the following statements:
The definition of “Critical Wildlife Habitat” is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights.
Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares
Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 3 is wrong. Since The Recongnisation of Forest Rights Act (2006) for the first time
provided the scope for the recognition of the PVTGs’ Forest and habitate rights.
FRA Amendment rules 2012-District level committee shall ensure that all PVTGs receive
habitate rights.
Statement 1 is self explanatory.
Statement 2 is correct- In January 2016, For the first time in India, Baigas have been given
Habitat Rights.
Q. 3. Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in
riverbeds?
Decreased salinity in the river
Pollution of groundwater
Lowering of the water-table
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is wrong. Since sand mining may lead to saline water intrusion from the nearby
sea.
Statement 2 and 3 are correct and self-explanatory.
Impact of sand mining
Impact on Description
Bio-diversity Impacts on related eco systems
Land loses Both inland and costal through erosion
Hydrological functionsChange in water flows, flood regulation and marine currents
Water supply Through lowering of the water table and pollution.
Infrastructures Damages to bridges, river embankments and coastal infrastructures
Extreme events Like flood, draughts, storm surges
Climate Emissions of harmful gases.
Also Read: Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 2020: Here’re the Prelims Questions with Detailed Answers
Q. 4. Consider the following statements:
Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters.
More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia,
Indonesia and Philippines.
Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Majority of the corals are found in tropical and subtropical areas since they need moderately
high temperature for growth.
The coral triangle is a roughly triangular area consisting of the marine waters of Indonesia,
Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Island and Timor-Leste. That contain
atleast 500 species of reef building corals.
Global distribution of corals-Australia-17%, Indonesia-16%, and Philippines-9%.
Q. 5. “Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by
(a) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(b) The UNEP Secretariat
(c) The UNFCCC Secretariat
(d) The World Meterological Organisation
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The UNFCCC Secretariat launched its Climate Neutral Now initiative in 2015. The following
year, the Secretariat launched a new pillar under its momentum for change initiative focus on
Climate Neutral Now.
Q. 6. Which of the following statements best describes “carbon fertilization”?
(a) Increased plant growth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.
(b) Increased temperature of Earth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.
(c) Increased acidity of oceans as a result of increased concentration of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere.
(d) Adaptation of all living beings on Earth to the climate change brought about by the
increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
The response of plants to elevate concentrations of CO2 is known as the Carbon
Fertilazation effect.
Due to increased CO2 concentration, the rate of photo synthesis will increase.
Forests world wild are using this process to grow faster, reducing the amount of CO2 that
stays in the atmosphere.
Q. 7. With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of “Conservation
Agriculture” assume significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation
Agriculture?
Avoiding monoculture practices
Adopting minimum tillage
Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops
Using crop residues to cover soil surface
Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 2, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 5
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Conservation agriculture is a farming system that promotes maintenance of a permanent soil
cover, minimum soil disturbance (no tillage) and diversification of plants species.
It enhances biodiversity and natural biological processes above and below the ground
surface which contribute to increase water and nutrient use efficiency and to improve and
sustain crop production.
Also Read: Environment and Ecology Questions and Solutions: UPSC Prelims 2019
Q. 8. Which of the following leaf modifications occur (s) in the desert areas to inhibit water
loss?
Hard and waxy leaves
Tiny leaves
Thorns instead of leaves
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Plants in deserts have few or no leaves and foliage is either waxy, hairy or needle shaped to
prevent water loss. Some of them are entirely leafless, with priks or thrones.
Q. 9. How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB)?
The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an
executive order of the Government.
The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the
higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to
improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
NGT was established in2010 under the NGT act 2010.
For effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and
conservation.
It is not bound by the procedure laid down by the CCP (1908) but shalby guided by
principles of natural justice.
CPCB is a statutory organization constituted under the Water Act 1974. Further it was
entrusted with powers and functions under the Air Act, 1981.
Its functions- to promote clineliness of streams and wells and to improve the quality of Air.
Q. 10. Which of the following has/have shrunk immensely/dried up in the recent past due to
human activities?
Aral Sea
Black Sea
Lake Baikal
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
The Aral sea, once one of the four largest lakes in the world has substaintialy dried up. From
1089cubic kilometers, it reduces to 75 cubic kilometers.
The Black Sea is not drying up. There are numbers of rivers like The Danube, The Down,
The Rioni, The Southern Bug etc.drain into it.
The Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world. It contains 20% of all the fresh running
water of the planet. It is the largest fresh water lake.
