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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.