Q. 1. The term ‘M-STRIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
(a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna
(b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves
(c) Indigenous Satellite Navigation System
(d) Security of National Highways
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The full form of ‘M-STRIPES’ is Monitering System for Tigers’- Intensive Protection and
ecological status.
It is a software monitoring system, launched in 2010.
Its aim is to reduce vulnerability of tigers.
Q. 2. In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?
(a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.
(b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is
impossible to prevent its extinction.
(c) It is endemic to a particular region of India.
(d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Tiger is also an animal included in Schedule I of WPA 1972 hence the tortoise will also enjoy
the same level of protection.
Q. 3. Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural
habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites?
(a) Corbett National Park
(b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
(c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
(d) Sariska National Park
The Kuno Palpur WS has been selected as the reintroduction site for the endangered Asiatic
Lion because it is in the former range of the lions before it was hunted in the extinctions in
about 1873.
Also Read: Environment Questions in UPSC Prelims 2020: Here’re the Prelims Questions with Detailed Answers
Q. 4. With reference to ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements
is/are correct?
1. It is an initiative of the European Union.
2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to
integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets.
3. It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for
Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and
Answer. (a)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The GCCA was established by the European Union (EU) in 2007 to
strengthen dialogue and cooperation with developing countries, in particular least developed
countries (LDCs) and Small Island developing States (SIDS).
Statement 2 is correct: GCCA helps to ensure that poor developing countries most
vulnerable to climate change increase their capacities to adapt to the effects of climate
change, in support of the achievement of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).
GCCA+ acts as a source of technical and financial support for the world’s most climatevulnerable
countries, whose populations need climate finance the most.
Statement 3 is wrong: There is no mention of WRI and WBCSD at the official partners page
of GCCA, even though a lot of other institutions are mentioned like FAO, UNDP, etc.
NOTE:
WRI & WBCSD work through the “Greenhouse Gas Protocol – GHGP” (NOT GCCA). They
work with businesses to develop standards and tools that help companies measure,
manage, report and reduce their carbon emissions.
Q. 5. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for
(a) Measuring oxygen levels in blood
(b) Computing- oxygen levels in forest ecosystems
(c) Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems
(d) Assessing oxygen levels in high altitude regions
Answer (b)
Explanation:
Straightforward environment question.
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD):
• It is the amount of oxygen required to break down a certain amount of organic matter.
• Higher the BOD, higher is the pollution level.
• If too much organic matter is added to the water all the available oxygen is used up. This
causes fish and other forms of oxygen dependent aquatic life to die.
Q. 6. Consider the following statements:
1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants is
a unique initiative of G20 group of countries.
2. The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydro fluorocarbons.
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)
Q. 7. If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best
place to visit?
(a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
(b) Chambal River
(c) Pulicat Lake
(d) Deepor Bed
Answer. (b)
Explanation:
Apr 2017: It was reported that the population of Ghariyals has increased in the Chambal
Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary.
Gharials can be naturally found in National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary.
NOTE:
It’s known that gharials inhabit rivers/ freshwater bodies with clean water. Thus, options (a) &
(c) can be ruled out, since these are saltwater bodies, and have saltwater crocodiles, not
gharials!
Q. 8. From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in
being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?
(a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
(b) Nallamala Forest
(c) Nagarhole National Park
(d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve
Ans. (a)
Explanation:
Sathyamangalam forest range is a significant wildlife corridor in the ‘Nilgiri Biosphere
Reserve’ between the Western Ghats and the rest of the Eastern Ghats Located in Tamil
Nadu.
The reserve also adjoins 4 other protected areas:
Billigiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, Sigur Plateau, Mudumalai National Park and
Bandipur National Park.
Q. 9. Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and
Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC):
1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a
threat to the conservation of nature.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is wrong: TRAFFIC is an international NGO (not a bureau), jointly established
by IUCN and WWF.
Given statement 2 is correct.
Also Read:Solved UPSC Prelims 2018 Questions : Environment and Ecology Subject
Q. 10. In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of
bioremediation technique?
1. It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation
process that occurs in nature.
2. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and
completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms.
3. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for
bioremediation.
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. (c)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Bioremediation uses naturally occurring organisms to break down
hazardous substances into less toxic or non toxic substances.
• Statement 2 is wrong: Each and every source on Google says these eaxct lines: “Not all
contaminants, however, are easily treated by bioremediation using microorganisms. For
example, heavy metals such as cadmium and lead are not readily absorbed or captured by
microorganisms.”
• BEWARE of such tricky phrases in question, like,
“Any contaminant with heavy metals”, “completely treated”, etc. Most of the time (not always)
such statements can be easily eliminated as they are mostly wrong.
• Statement 3 is correct: Genetic engineering has been used to create organisms designed
for specific purposes. For e.g., microbes capable of cleaning oil spills, etc.
Q. 11. It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of
developing countries in promoting this industry?
1. Production of algae based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.
2. Setting up and engineering the algae based biofuel production requires high level of
expertise/technology until the construction is completed.
3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities
which may raise ecological and social concerns.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer. (b)
Explanation:
It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of
developing countries in promoting. So Statement 1 is incorrect. Whereas 2 and 3 are correct.
Q. 12. Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies,
what could be its likely consequence/consequences?
1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected.
2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants.
3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds.
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. (c)
Explanation:
Statement 1 and 3 are correct:
• Butterflies are pollinating insects. They help in pollination of many flowering plants.
• Butterflies also act as a lower member of the food chain. A number of animals, including
birds and mice feed on butterfly. As populations of butterfly diminish, so will populations of
birds and other animals that rely on them as a food source.
This loss of the butterfly is the beginning of the “butterfly effect.”
• Statement 2 is wrong: There is no direct relation between butterflies and fungal infections
of plants.
Q. 13. In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic
emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be the potential sites for carbon
sequestration?
1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams
2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs
3. Subterranean deep saline formations
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer. (d)
Explanation:
Carbon sequestration is the process involved in carbon capture and the long-term storage of
atmospheric carbon dioxide. Geological sequestration involves the storage of CO2
underground in depleted oil and gas reservoirs, saline formations or deep, unminable coal
beds.
Carbon sequestration and its methods are often seen in news. UPSC has gone one step
further to ask potential sites for geological carbon sequestration.
Q. 14. According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot
be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law?
1. Gharial
2. Indian wild ass
3. Wild buffalo
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. (d)
Explanation
Gharial, Indian Wild Ass and Wild Buffalo are all mentioned under Schedule-l for the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972
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