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

Total Questions: 61

1. In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture? [2020-1]

1. Crop diversification

2. Legume intensification

3. Tensiometer use

4. Vertical farming

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Solution:Crop diversification means the addition of new crops or cropping systems to agricultural production on a specific farm taking into account the different returns from value-added crops with complementary marketing opportunities.

The diversification of agriculture is an alternate way for the regeneration and conservation of land and water. Hence, statement I is correct.

In Legume Intensification, Legumes fix the atmospheric nitrogen, release in the soil high-quality organic matter, and it make soil nutrients' circulation and water retention easy. Legumes improve the stability and health of agro-ecosystems.

Hence, statement 2 is correct.

When the water pressure in the tensiometer is determined to be in equilibrium with the water pressure in the soil, the tensiometer gauge reading represents the matric potential of the soil.

Such tensiometers are used in irrigation scheduling to help farmers and other irrigation managers to determine when to water.
Tensiometer means tension measurement.

In order to absorb water from soil, the plant has to overcome the suction tension of the soil.

This tension is measured by the tensiometer, thus giving indication of the soil moisture at the depth in which it was placed.

Tensiometer helps farmers and other irrigation managers to determine when to water the soil. Hence, statement 3 is correct. Vertical farming is the practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers. Sometimes it can cause occur environmental damage therefore this practice is not considered eco-friendly.

Hence statement 4 is incorrect.

2. With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: [2020-1]

1. The leader of an elephant group is a female

2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.

3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.

4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Solution:

• As the largest terrestrial mammal in Asia, Asian elephants inhabit grasslands and forests across 13 countries in South and Southeast Asia, adapting to various environments from dry to wet.
• Compared to African savannah elephants, Asian elephant herds are notably smaller in size.
• Within elephant herds, the largest and oldest female, known as the matriarch, assumes leadership and decision-making responsibilities.
• Asian elephants have the longest known gestational period among mammals, lasting up to 680 days (22 months).
• Female elephants typically give birth to calves every four years between the ages of 14 and 45. This interval increases to five years by age 52 and six years by age 60.
• Throughout Asia, elephants hold significant cultural importance and have a long history of close association with humans, evolving into symbolic figures in various cultures.
• As per the 2017’s data: Karnataka has the highest number of elephants (6,049), followed by Assam (5,719) and Kerala (3,054).

3. Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? [2020-1]

1. Nagarhole National park

2. Papikonda National park

3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

4. Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
Solution:

Cauvery basin lies in the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry.
Papikonda National Park is in Andhra Pradesh So, #2 is wrong. In both of these options statements 3 and 4 are common so we have to accept them as correct without checking. Everything boils down to weather Statement#1 is right or not?
Nagarhole National Park is located in Karnataka, and is the in Cauvery basin. So, Answer c.

4. With reference to India's biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth. Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are : [2020-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Birds
Solution:

• The Sri Lanka frogmouth, Sri Lankan frogmouth or Ceylon frogmouth is a small frogmouth (The frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds) found in the Western Ghats of south India and Sri Lanka.
• The coppersmith barbet, also called crimson-breasted barbet and coppersmith, is an Asian barbet with crimson forehead and throat, known for its metronomic call that sounds similar to a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer. It is a resident bird in the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia.
• The grey-chinned minivet is a species of bird in the family Campephagidae. It is found from the Himalayas to China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
• The white-throated redstart is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is found in Nepal, Bhutan, central China and far northern areas of Myanmar and Northeast India. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

5. Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasinga) that thrives well in hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous? [2020-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Kanha National Park
Solution:

• Kanha National Park is the largest national reserve in Madhya Pradesh which is spanning in 941 sq.km and known for its exceptional conservation efforts, it is one of the finest and well-maintained National Park in India. It is also a part of ‘Project Tiger’ and is considered one of its nine Navratnas (core reserves). Kanha National Park is famous for providing habitat to the Royal Bengal tiger and the barasingha (swamp deer), a species that was once on the verge of extinction. Bhoorsingh the Barasingha, was declared as Kanha National Park mascot representing the remarkable conservation success.

Kanha Tiger Reserve Interesting Facts

• Kanha Tiger Reserve is one of the most visited national parks in India, known for its breathtaking landscapes and one of the highest densities of tigers in the country.
• Kanha Tiger Reserve played a major role in saving the swamp deer from extinction. This accomplishment has earned Kanha global recognition in wildlife conservation.
• Kanha’s rich biodiversity supports a wide range of wildlife species, because of its diverse topography. The park is divided into highland and lowland areas, creating a perfect habitat for various animals.
• The award-winning National Geographic documentary, Land of Tigers (1980), was filmed in Kanha National Park, showcasing its incredible wildlife and scenic beauty to the world.
• Kanha Tiger Reserve is also home to one of the most endangered species of wild dogs in India, the dhole, which are known for their intelligence and aggressive hunting behavior.
• Originally established as a Kanha National Park in 1955 was later declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973 under Project Tiger, strengthening its role in tiger conservation.
• Some commonly spotted birds include the Crested Serpent Eagle, Wood Shrike, Paradise Flycatcher, Grey Hornbill, Indian Roller, Pond Heron, Peacock, Red Jungle Fowl, and Steppe Eagle

6. Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? [2020-1]

1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary

2. Gangotri National Park

3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary

4. Manas National Park

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Solution:Musk deer are found in high altitude ecosystems, in the colder part of Himalayas.
Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is in Uttar Pradesh. So, #3 is unlikely t be a Natural habitat of Musk deer. In both of the remaining options first statement is common. Now between the Gangotri and Manas, Manas (Assam) is likely to be a lower altitude place so, A: 1 and 2 should be the answer.
About Musk Deer
• It is a solitary shy animal which lives in mountainous regions from Siberia to the Himalayas.
• There are mainly two species of musk deer found in India-
i) Himalayan Musk Deer ii) Alpine Musk Deer
Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus leucogaster)
• It is a musk deer species occurring in the Himalayas of Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and China.
• In India, it inhabits parts of Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, the northern part of Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
• It is also known as White-bellied Musk Deer. It’s commonly known as “Kasturi mrig” in Nepali and “Lah” in Tibetan language.
• It was previously considered a subspecies of the Alpine musk deer, but was separated on the basis of different skull proportions.
• It is under threat due to its hunting primarily for its musk which is used in manufacture of perfume, medicine and cosmetics.

7. In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint? [2020-1]

1. Copper slag

2. Cold mix asphalt technology

3. Geotextiles

4. Hot mix asphalt technology

5. Portland cement

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Solution:Coir is a natural fibre. Government has allowed the use of coir based geotextiles for construction of rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in 2020. So, #3 is correct

In the Hot Mix Asphalt technology, Asphalt is heated & poured over stone, sand, gravel, then a heavy roller is driven over it to compact the road surface. If you visualise the entire process, it results into emission of many gases because of heating so, does not seem to help reducing the carbon footprint. #4 is wrong and so the answer is a.

Copper slag is a by-product obtained during smelting and refining of copper. Copper slag is non-hazardous, non-toxic material. This eco-friendly industrial by-product is being used in government road projects for the past 3 years now, says the report by Sterlite Copper Company. Research papers published in Springer journal, also tell a similar story. So, #1 is correct, & Answer should be a.

8. At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006? [2021-1]

Correct Answer: (d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Solution:The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 recognizes the rights of the forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources, on which these communities were dependent for a variety of needs, including livelihood, habitation and other socio-cultural needs. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is a nodal ministry to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. So the correct answer is "D".

9. "Triclosan" considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following? [2021-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Food preservatives
Solution:Triclosan is a common ingredient found in many grooming products, including facial washes, toothpaste and deodorants. However, it is mainly found in antibacterial hand washes, soaps, gels, and household cleaners.
Some short-term animal studies have shown that exposure to high doses of triclosan is associated with a decrease in the levels of some thyroid hormones. Other studies have raised the possibility that exposure to triclosan contributes to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics. At this time, we don’t have enough information available to assess the level of risk that triclosan poses for the development of antibiotic resistance.

10. The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. [2021-1]

Which of the following are such conditions?

1. Burrowing animals and termites.

2. Fire

3. Grazing herbivores

4. Seasonal rainfall

5. Soil properties

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2
Solution:Grasslands occur in both tropical and temperate regions where rainfall is not enough to support the growth of trees. So, #4 is right.

The vegetation of savanna characteristically consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. In some savannas, herds of grazing herbivores have a profound influence on the vegetation, favoring grasses (which protect their embryonic, actively dividing tissues in buds at or just below ground level) and hindering the regeneration of trees (because these same tissues are exposed to browsing animals and to fire). #3 is right.

Fire, whether natural or human-induced, can be a common hazard in the dry season. #2 is right.

So final answer: (c) 2, 3 and 4.