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

Total Questions: 50

31. How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board : [2018-1]

1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.

2. 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:

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), is statutory organization, was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. So #1 is wrong.

Principal functions of the CPCB, as spelt out in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, (i) to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas. So last part of sentence #2 is right.

Environment: National Green Tribunal (NGT) was set up in 2010 under the NGT Act, 2010, for the purpose of effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection. The Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice. The Tribunal is mandated to make an endeavor for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing. So first part of sentence #2 is right.

32. Consider the following statements: [2018-1]

1. The definition of "Critical Wildlife Habitat" is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

2. For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights.

3. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of Indi(a).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Solution:Baigas are considered as a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in the Indian Constitution and rely mostly on shifting cultivation, forest produce and fishing for sustenance, spread over forested areas of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In 2016, they became India's first community to get habitat rights. So, #2 is right.

Under FRA Act, district level Committees have to adjudicate the rights, whereas Tribal ministry only issues guidelines. That makes #3 wrong/irrelevant. By elimination, we are left with answer A: only 1 and 2.

33. In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located? [2018-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Arunachal Pradesh
Solution:

• Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Pakhu Wildlife Sanctuary, is in the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India.
• It is bounded by Bhareli or Kameng River in the west and north, and by Pakke River in the east.
• It is surrounded by contiguous forests on most sides.
• To the east lies Papum Reserve Forest.
• Towards the south and south-east, the sanctuary adjoins reserve forests and Assam’s Nameri National Park.
• To the west, it is bounded by Doimara Reserve Forest and Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.
• To the north by Shergaon Forest Division.
• Keibul-Lamjao (Loktak Lake) National Park is located in the state of Manipur.
• Siju Bird Sanctuary, Balpakram National Park and Nokrek Biosphere Reserve are located in Meghalaya.
• Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary are located in Nagaland.

34. The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at : [2018-1]

Correct Answer: (b) The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro
Solution:

• The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) focuses on integrating sustainability into economic policymaking. It assists countries in reshaping their economic policies to drive sustainable growth, create jobs, reduce poverty and inequality, and enhance ecological resilience.
• Launched in 2013 as a response to the Rio+20 Declaration, PAGE combines the expertise of five United Nations (UN) agencies—UNEP, ILO, UNDP, UNIDO, and UNITAR—to provide coordinated technical assistance and capacity-building.
• PAGE supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially SDG 8, by promoting inclusive, sustainable economic growth and decent work.
• PAGE partners with United Nations agencies and offers holistic support to help countries implement green economy strategies effectively.

35. "Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now" is an initiative launched by : [2018-1]

Correct Answer: (c) The UNFCCC Secretariat
Solution:

• UNFCCC was signed in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development also known as the Earth Summit, the Rio Summit or the Rio Conference.
• India is among the select few countries to have hosted the COP of all three Rio conventions on climate change (UNFCCC), biodiversity (CBD) and land (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification).
• The UNFCCC entered into force in 1994 and has been ratified by 197 countries.
• It is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Agreement. It is also the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
• The UNFCCC secretariat (UN Climate Change) is the United Nations entity tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change. It is located in Bonn, Germany.
• Its objective is to achieve stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous repercussions within a time frame so as to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally and enable sustainable development.
• The UNFCCC secretariat launched its Climate Neutral Now initiative in 2015.
• It is an initiative launched to urge individuals, companies, and governments to measure their climate footprint, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible.
• The secretariat in 2016 launched a new pillar under its Momentum for Change initiative focused on Climate Neutral Now, as part of larger efforts to showcase successful climate action around the world.

36. Consider the following statements: [2019-1]

The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to

1. State the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought.

2. Lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:Section 3-2(iv) Central Government may lay down standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources whatsoever. So #2 is given, but there is no mention direct or indirect of #1 so Answer B: only 2.

37. In India, 'extended producer responsibility was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? [2019-1]

Correct Answer: (c) The e-Waste (Management and handling) rules, 2011
Solution:

• In India, the management of electronic waste was addressed within the framework of the Environment and Forests Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Regulations of 2008.
• In 2011, a significant notice pertaining to the E-waste (Management and Handling) Regulations of 2010, governed by the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, was issued.
• Extended producer’s responsibility (EPR) was its main feature.
• E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016 was enacted in 2017, with over 21 products (Schedule-I) included under the purview of the rule. It included Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and other mercury containing lamps, as well as other equipment.
• In 2018, the 2016 rules underwent an amendment that broadened their scope to emphasize the promotion of authorization and product stewardship.
• Product stewardship is a concept and approach that emphasizes the responsibility of producers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders for the entire life cycle of a product, from its creation to its disposal or recycling.
• Government of India notified E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 with a major aim to digitize the e-waste management process and enhance visibility.
• It also restricts the use of hazardous substances (such as lead, mercury, and cadmium) in manufacturing electrical and electronic equipment that have an adverse impact on human health and the environment.

38. Consider the following statements: [2019-1]

1. Asiatic lion naturally found in India only

2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only

3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only

Which one of the statement given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:

• Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions.
• At present Asiatic lions are naturally found in India only in Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The greater one-horned rhino is not naturally only found in India but also found in southern Nepal, in riverine (floodplain) grasslands and adjacent woodland.
• The double-hump camel is not naturally found in India and is a native of Gobi desert and is also found in the cold-desert areas across Mongolia, India (Ladakh), China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and parts of Afghanistan.

39. In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere? [2019-1]

Correct Answer: (d) Reducing the global warming
Solution:

About Stratospheric Aerosol Injection
• It is a method of cooling the planet and reducing the impacts of climate change by adding a layer of tiny reflective particles to the high atmosphere.
• The method was inspired by volcanic eruptions, which have been known to have a cooling effect on the planet by spewing aerosols into the air.
• It aims to mimic the cooling effects of volcanic eruptions by injecting sulfur dioxide (SO2) directly into the stratosphere, where it forms sunlight-reflecting sulfate aerosols.
Key Facts about Aerosols
• They are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in air or a gas.
• Aerosols can be natural, such as fog or gas from volcanic eruptions, or artificial, such as smoke from burning fossil fuels.
• Aerosol particles are either emitted directly into the atmosphere (primary aerosols) or produced in the atmosphere from precursor gases (secondary aerosols).
• Aerosol particles are tiny, but numerous, and often comprise a number of inorganic and organic substances.
• True aerosol particles range in diameter from a few millimetres to about 1 micrometre (equal to 10-4 cm).
• Particles with a diameter of less than 0.1 micrometre are sometimes referred to as Aitken nuclei.
• Visible forms of atmospheric aerosol plumes include smoke, smog, haze, and dust.

40. Which one of the following are Agasthyamala biosphere reserve? [2019-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Neyyar, peppara and shendurney wildlife sanctuaries and kalakad mundanthurai tiger reserve.
Solution:Agasthyamalai biosphere consists of Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife sanctuaries and their adjoining areas. So, A is the closest match,
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
• The Biosphere Reserve is a protected area in the southern Western Ghats, spanning parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• It covers a combined area of 3500 sq. km. in both the states and is known for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems,
• Declared as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
• Home to many endemic species like lion-tailed macaque, slender loris, and great pied hornbill.
• Contains evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist-deciduous, tropical forests, and grasslands.
• Referred to as the cradle of traditional Indian medicine.
• Tribes: The reserve is home to Kani tribes from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Major rivers originating from here: Thamirabarani, Karamana, and Neyyar.
• Cultural Significance: Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is named after Sage Agastya, a revered figure in Indian mythology.