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

Total Questions: 50

41. Consider the following pairs: [2019-1]

Wildlife: Naturally found in

1. Blue finned mahseer: Cauvery river

2. Irrawaddy dolphin: Chambal river

3. Rusty spotted cats: Eastern ghats

Which one of the pair given above are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Solution:Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is found in Chambal river, says.

Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is a different species. It's found in Chilika lagoon and salt-water estuaries of Odisha, says India Today. So, #2 is wrong, by elimination we are left with Answer C.

42. Why is there a great concern about the microbeads that are released into environment? [2019-1]

(a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystem
(b) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children
(c) They are small enough to absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields
(d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants

Correct Answer: (a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystem

Solution:Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has classified microbeads as "unsafe" for use in cosmetic products. NGT had earlier directed the Centre to test cosmetic products containing microbeads after a plea sought ban on their use on the ground they are extremely dangerous for aquatic life and environment. So, A is the closest answer.

43. Consider the following: [2019-1]

1. Carbon monoxide

2. Methane

3. Ozone

4. Sulphur dioxide

Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1,2,3 and 4

Correct Answer: (d) 1,2,3 and 4

Solution:All of the above gases can be released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue. Carbon monoxide and methane are produced due to incomplete combustion, ozone is formed due to the reaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight, and sulphur dioxide is produced due to the presence of sulphur in the biomass. These emissions can have harmful effects on both human health and the environment.

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

1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment.

2. Cattle release ammonia into environment.

3. Poultry industry release reactive nitrogen compounds into environment.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:Agricultural soils contributed to over 70% of N2O emissions from India in 2010.

Cattle account for 80% of the ammonia production Poultry industry recorded an excretion of reactive nitrogen compounds of 0.415 tonnes in 2016. So D: all 3 statements are correct.

45. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? [2020-1]

1. Automobile exhaust

2. Tobacco smoke

3. Wood burning

4. Using varnished wooden furniture

5. Using products made of polyurethane

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Solution:Benzene is a colourless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It evaporates quickly when exposed to air. It dissolves only slightly in water and will float on top of the water. It is highly flammable. It is formed from both natural processes and human activities. It is found in crude oils and as a by-product of oil-refining processes.

The sources of benzene in the environment comprise of industrial sources, automobile exhaust, and fuel evaporation from gasoline filling stations. Because of benzene solubility in water, a small amount may be removed by rain to pollute surface waters and soil. Reason for exposure to benzene pollution includes Automobile exhaust, Tobacco smoke, Wood Burning, etc.

46. With reference to India's Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? [2020-1]

1. It is spread over two districts.

2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.

3. It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 und 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Solution:Normally human activities are not allowed in National Park but many villagers lived inside Desert National park, and they did not have access to even basic facility like road, electricity and water. 2017: Supreme Court ordered the government to provide such facilities to them So, #2 as wrong. By elimination the answer is c.

Desert national park is spread in two districts of Rajasthan Jaisalmer &Barmer. So #1 is correct.

It is Natural home to the Great Indian Bustard. 3rd Statement is right.

47. Consider the following statements: [2020-1]

1. 36% of India's districts are classified as "overexploited" or "critical" by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).

2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.

3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 & 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 & 3 only

Correct Answer: (b) 2 & 3 only

Solution:The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act. 1986, 2nd statement is correct.

The countries with the largest extent of areas equipped for irrigation with groundwater, in absoluteterms, are India (39 million ha), China (19 million ha) andthe USA (17 million ha). Says FAO research paper published in 2010. So, #3 is correct So Answer b.

48. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under "Critical Tiger Habitat"? [2020-1]

(a) Corbett
(b) Ranthambore
(c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
(d) Sunderbans

Correct Answer: (c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam

Solution:Sundarban has Critical Tiger Habitat area of 1699.62 sq.
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Core/Critical Tiger Habitat: 3721 Sq. Km.

If Sundarbans critical Tiger Habitat is smaller than Nagarjunsagar then remaining options are unlikely to have a bigger size than Nagarjunsagar so answer should be cс.

49. If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication? [2020-1]

(a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant.
(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances
(c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.

Correct Answer: (a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant.

Solution:Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, has six schedules.

No person is allowed to cultivate a specified plant mentioned in schedule 6, except with a licence granted by the Chief Wild Life Warden. The plant mentioned in the sixth schedule are:

1. Beddomes' cycad

2. Blue Vanda

3. Kuth

4. Ladies slipper orchids

5. Pitcher plant

6. Red Vanda

50. Which one of the following statements best describes the term 'Social Cost of Carbon'? It is a measure, in monetary value, of the : [2020-1]

(a) long-term damage done by a tonne of CO, emissions in a given year.
(b) requirement of fossil fuels for a country to provide goods and services to its citizens, based on the burning of those fuels.
(c) efforts put in by a climate refugee to adapt to live in a new place.
(d) contribution of an individual person to the carbon footprint on the planet Earth.

Correct Answer: (a) long-term damage done by a tonne of CO, emissions in a given year.

Solution:In microeconomics, Social cost is a concept associated with some type of negative externality. For example, Factories emit large amount of smoke from their chimneys into the atmosphere.

This may not figure in the calculation of costs in their records. But the cost to the community may be in the form of additional washing bills for clothes and the money spent by the community on medical bills etc. These costs are social costs.

OECD defines Social Cost of Carbon as the net present value of climate change impacts over the next 100 years (or longer) of one additional tonne of carbon emitted to the atmosphere today.

Considering these interpretations, a is the closest option.

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