Issues on Environment, Biodiversity & Climate Change (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

31. With reference to India, consider the following Central Acts: [2011-1]

1. Import and Export (Control) Act, 1947

2. Mining and Mineral Development (Regulation) Act, 1957

3. Customs Act, 1962

4. Indian Forest Act, 1927

Which of the above Acts have relevance to/bearing on the biodiversity conservation in the country?

Correct Answer: (c) 1,2,3 and 4
Solution:Mountains have high range of species at the low altitude as they can support larger number of species due to climatic condition.
  • Biodiversity Conservation refers to the protection, preservation, management, or restoration of wildlife and their natural habitats, such as forests and water.
  • The survival of many species and habitats that are threatened due to human activities can be ensured by conserving biodiversity.

Need for Conservation of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is crucial for maintaining the stability of the ecosystems. For example:

  • Rainforests, contribute both to the process of soil formation and help to regulate the climate through photosynthesis by producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide.
  • Wetlands act as sponge-like reservoirs in dry weather and help to filter and purify water.
  • Coral reefs and mangrove swamps protect the land that they surround by reducing the effects of erosion and also acts as first line of defence during disaster like Tsunamis, Storm surge etc.

Biodiversity loss can lead to the destruction of ecosystems, which, in turn, can have a catastrophic effect both on local and global levels.

32. How does National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) help in protecting the Indian agriculture? [2012-1]

1. NBA checks the biopiracy and protects the indigenous and traditional genetic resources.

2. NBA directly monitors and supervises the scientific research on genetic modification of crop plants.

3. Application for Intellectual Property Rights related to genetic/biological resources cannot be made without the approval of NBA.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) checks the biopiracy and protects the indigeneous and traditional genetic resources. Intellectual property Rights related to genetic biological resources cannot be made without the approval of NBA.
  • The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is a statutory authority set up under India's Biological Diversity Act (2002).
  • It came into existence in 2003, with its headquarters in Chennai.
  • It provides facilitative, regulatory, and advisory functions to the Government of India on issues of conservation, sustainable use, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the country's biological resources.
  • Under the Biodiversity Act, 2002 and Biodiversity Rules, 2004, the following two other entities have been established to complement the NBA:
    ∗ State Biodiversity Boards (SBB) at the State level, and
    ∗ Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) at the local village level.

33. The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India? [2012-1]

1. Right to healthy environment, construed as a part of Right to life under Article 21.

2. Provision of grants for raising the level of administration in the Scheduled Areas for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes under Article 275(1).

3. Powers and functions of Gram Sabha as mentioned under Article 243 (A).

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (a) I only
Solution:The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with the Right to healthy environment, construed as a part of Right to life under Art. 21.
  • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ensures efficient environmental dispute resolution with expert input, aims to resolve cases within six months, operates independently of the Civil Procedure Code, and has regional benches in New Delhi, Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai.
  • Expertise and Speed: NGT's framework includes multidisciplinary experts to ensure efficient and informed handling of environmental disputes.
  • Independence from Civil Procedure: Guided by natural justice principles rather than the Civil Procedure Code, 1901, the NGT aims for faster resolutions.
  • Six-Month Disposal Aim: The tribunal endeavours to resolve cases within six months from the filing date.
  • Jurisdiction and Accessibility: Initially proposed at five locations, NGT began functioning on July 4, 2011, with the main seat in New Delhi, with regional benches in Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai, and it follows a circuit procedure for accessibility.

34. If National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, how will it impact the country? [2012-1]

1. Part of the water needs of urban areas will be met through recycling of wastewater.

2. The water requirements of coastal cities with inadequate alternative sources of water will be met by adopting appropriate technologies that allow for the use of ocean water.

3. All the rivers of Himalayan origin will be linked to the rivers of peninsular India.

4. The expenses incurred by farmers for digging bore-wells and for installing motors and pump-sets to draw groundwater will be completely reimbursed by the Government.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Solution:If National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, then the part of the water needs of urban areas will be met through recycling of waste water and the water requirements of coastal cities with inadequate alternative sources of water will be met by adopting appropriate technologies that allow for the use of ocean water.

35. Biomass gasification is considered to be one of the sustainable solutions to the power crisis in India. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2012-1]

1. Coconut shells, groundnut shells and rice husk can be used in biomass gasification.

2. The combustible gases generated from biomass gasification consist of hydrogen and carbon dioxide only.

3. The combustible gases generated from biomass gasification can be used for direct heat generation but not in internal combustion engines.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (a) I only
Solution:The combustible gas produced during gasification process includes carbon monoxide hydrogen, carbon dioxide and possibly hydrocarbons like methane (CH).
Biomass gasification is thermo-chemical conversion of biomass into a combustible gas mixture (producer gas) through a partial combustion route with air supply restricted to less than that theoretically required for full combustion. iomass gaufication is basically conversion of soild Biomass (Wood, agriculture residues etc.) in to a combustible gas mixture normally called "Producer Gas" Partial combustion is carried out in absence of air or less air than the stroichiometric requirement of air for complete combustion Partial combustion produces Carbon Monoxide (CO) as well as hydrogen (HZ) which are both combustible gas. A gasifier system basically comprises of a reactor where the gas is generated, and is followed by a cooling and leaning train which cools and cleant the gas. The clean combustible gas is available for power generation in diesel-gen-set or 100% producer gas engines.

36. The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern? [2012-1]

1. The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected.

2. The growth and survival of coral reefs will be adversely affected.

3. The survival of some animals that have phytoplanktonic larvae will be adversely affected.

4. The cloud seeding and formation of clouds will be adversely affected.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Solution:Ocean acidification reduces the amount of carbonate, a key building block in seawater. This makes it more difficult for marine organisms, such as coral and some plankton, to form their shells and skeletons, and existing shells may begin to dissolve.
  • Ocean acidification refers to the gradual decrease in ocean oi due to the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the Atmosphere, primarily driven by fossil fuel emissions. Since pre-industrial times, atmospheric CO, levels have risen from 280 ppm to nearly 400 ppm, causing the ocean to absorb about 25% of these emissions.
  • This process alters seawater chemistry, impacting marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
  • While the ocean has mitigated global warming by storing excess CO,, this buffering capacity is reaching its limits, posing serious environmental and socioeconomic risks

37. The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs : [2012-1]

Correct Answer: (d) the infrared part of the solar radiation
Solution:Carbon dioxide absorbs the Infrared part of Solar Radiation
About Carbon Dioxide:
  • It is a colourless gas having a faint sharp odour and a sour taste.
  • It is an important heat-trapping gas, also known as a greenhouse gas.
  • It comes from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas), from wildfires, and natural processes like volcanic eruptions.
  • It is one of the most important greenhouse gas (GHG) in the atmosphere and is the primary driver of anthropogenic climate change.
  • The presence of the gas in the atmosphere keeps some of the radiant energy received by Earth from being returned to space, thus producing the so-called greenhouse effect.
  • Carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant, in fire extinguishers, for inflating life rafts and life jackets, blasting coal, foaming rubber and plastics, promoting the growth of plants in greenhouses, immobilizing animals before slaughter, and in carbonated beverages.
  • Studies have shown that CO2 has contributed more than any driver to climate change.
  • It is much more abundant in the atmosphere compared to CH4 and HFCS
  • CO2 remains in the atmosphere longer than the other major GHGs emitted due to human activities.
  • After a pulse of CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere, 40% will remain in the atmosphere for 100 years and 20% will reside for 1000 years, while the final 10% will take 10,000 years to turn over," a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), a US-based non-profit organisation.

38. Consider the following protected areas: [2012-1]

1. Bandipur

2. Bhitarkanika

3. Manas

4. Sunderbans

Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
Solution:Bandipur National Park, a tiger reserve is located in the south Indian state of Karnataka. Manas National Park or Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a National Park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve in Assam. The Sundarban National Park is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve in India. It is a part of the Sundarbans on the Ganges Delta of India and Bangladesh. Bhitarkanika National Park is a national park located in the Kendrapara District Odisha, which is not specifically for Tiger reserve.

39. In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass? [2012-1]

Correct Answer: (b) National Parks
Solution:

In national parks, local people are not allowed to collect and use the biomass available in the area.

  • National Parks are protected areas established to conserve the natural environment, ecosystems, and wildlife.
  • National Parks provide safe habitats for flora and fauna, and human activities like hunting, deforestation, and industrialisation are prohibited.
  • National Parks play a crucial role in wildlife conservation by preserving biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and maintaining ecological balance.
  • In India, national parks are vital for protecting the country's rich biodiversity, which includes some of the world's most iconic species, such as tigers, elephants, and rhinoceros, and numerous endemic species of plants and animals.
  • India, one of the 17 megadiverse countries, uses national parks to safeguard its unique ecosystems, from the Himalayan highlands to the Western Ghats and Sundarbans.

40. Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species? [2012-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass.
Solution:

Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass, are endangered species.
Species are classified by the IUCN Red List into nine groups

  • Extinct (EX) No known individuals remaining.
  • Extinct in the wild (EW) Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
  • Critically endangered (CR) Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
  • reduction in population (greater than 90% over the last 10 years),
    population size (number less than 50 mature individuals),
  • quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in wild in at least 50% in their 10 years, and
  • it is therefore considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
  • Endangered (EN) High risk of extinction in the wild.
  • Vulnerable (VU) High risk of endangerment in the wild.
  • Near threatened (NT) Likely to become endangered in the near future.
  • Least concern (LC) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at-risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
  • Data deficient (DD) Not enough data to assess its risk of extinction.
  • Not evaluated (NE) Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.