Water Conservation

Total Questions: 50

1. The 'World Water Day' is celebrated on: [U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2011]

(a) 28 February
(b) 22 March
(c) 5 June
(d) 11 July

Correct Answer: (b) 22 March

Solution:World Water Day is an annual event celebrated on March 22. The day focuses attention on the importance of fresh water and advocates for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The theme of World Water Day 2024 is 'Leveraging Water for prosperity and Peace'.

2. Which one of the following is not a biotic resource? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2016]

(a) Freshwater
(b) Coal
(c) Petroleum
(d) Fish

Correct Answer: (a) Freshwater

Solution:Biotic and abiotic resources form the fundamental pillars of Earth's ecosystems, representing distinct elements that sustain life and contribute to the planet's ecological balance. Biotic resources encompass living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, crucial for biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. This intricate web of biotic and abiotic elements forms the foundation of Earth's ecological balance. In contrast, abiotic resources comprise non-living elements such as air, water, minerals, and sunlight, playing essential roles in supporting life and shaping the environment. This distinction emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between biotic and abiotic factors in sustaining Earth's ecosystems.

3. Who among the following environmentalists is known by the name of 'Jal Purush'? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

(a) Sunderlal Bahuguna
(b) Rajendra Singh
(c) B. Venkateshwarlu
(d) Salim Ali

Correct Answer: (b) Rajendra Singh

Solution:Rajendra Singh is a well-known water conservationist from Alwar district, Rajasthan also known as 'waterman of India'. He won the Stockholm Water Prize, an award as in 2015. Previously he won the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2001 for his pioneering work in community-based efforts in water harvesting and water management.

4. The 'Lisbon Declaration', which made headlines, is associated with the conservation of which entity? [69th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Air
(b) Mountains
(c) Oceans
(d) Freshwater glaciers

Correct Answer: (c) Oceans

Solution:The 'Lisbon Declaration' is associated with the conservation of oceans. The 'Lisbon Declaration' adopted at the UN Ocean conference will help to protect marine and coastal Ecosystem. The Lisbon Declaration 'Our Ocean, Our Future, Our responsibility, Called on governments to do more to Prevent, reduce and eliminate marine pollution.

Lisbon Declaration
Protecting at least 30% of national maritime zones by 2030.
Achieving carbon neutrality by 2040Allocating funds to research on ocean acidification, climate
resilience and surveillance
Scale-up Science-based and innovative actions to address ocean emergency
Support implementation of SDG14 (life below water) by empowering women and girls- recognising their
participation is crucial to building a sustainable ocean-based economy
Protect biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, which lie outside the 200-mile (322-kilometre) exclusive economic zones of countries.

5. Which one of the following gases is used for the purification of drinking water? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Sulphur dioxide
(b) Chlorine
(c) Fluorine
(d) Carbon dioxide

Correct Answer: (b) Chlorine

Solution:Uses of Chlorine (CI)

It is used to get rid of the smell of putrefaction
It is used as a disinfectant
Chlorine is used in the treatment of drinking water to kill bacteria
It is used to clean swimming pools
It is used in the production of paper and paper products
It is used as an antiseptic
It is used to produce drugs
It is used in the manufacture of dyes and plastics

6. If the National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, how will it impact the country? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

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

2. The water requirements of coastal cities with inadequate alternative sources of water will be met by adopting appropriate technologies that allow 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 codes given below :

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

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2

Solution:The main objective of the National Water Mission is "conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources development and management". National Water Mission is a part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change which was started on 30 June, 2008. The five identified goals of the mission are

(i) Comprehensive water database in public domain and assessment of impact of climate change on water resource

(ii) Promotion of citizen and state action for water conservation augmentation and preservation

(iii) Focused attention to vulnerable areas including over-exploited areas

(iv) Increasing water use efficiency by 20%

(v) Promotion of basin level integrated water resource management.

Hence (b) is the correct answer.

7. Consider the following statements : [I.A.S. (Pre.) 2020]

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 below is/are correct?

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

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Solution:CGWA (Central Ground Water Authority) was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control development and management of ground water resources in the country. India has the largest area under ground water irrigation in the world followed by China and the USA. So, option (b) is correct answer.

8. When did the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in which of the following year? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) 1976
(b) 1977
(c) 1974
(d) 1975

Solution:The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and for the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water in the country. The Act was amended in 1988.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act was enacted in 1977 to provide for the levy and collection of a cess on water consumed by persons operating and carrying on certain types of industrial activities.

9. In which year was the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act enforced? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

(a) 1980
(b) 1974
(c) 1981
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (b) 1974

Solution:The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and for maintaining or restoring the wholesomeness of water in the country. The Act was amended in 1988. The Union Environment Ministry has notified the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024, which immediately take effect. These new rules establish procedures for inquiries and penalties in cases of violations under the Water Act.

10. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess was enforced in - [U.P.R.O/A.R.O. (Mains) 2013]

(a) 1973
(b) 1975
(c) 1978
(d) 1979
(e) 1977

Correct Answer: (e) 1977

Solution:The Water cess Act was enacted in 1977. But it was enforced in 01.04.1978.

The primary goal is to raise funds for the Central and State Boards established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The Act empowers the Central Board to levy a cess on water consumption by industries and local authorities. Industries and local authorities that fall under the Act's provisions are obligated to pay the cess.
The revenue generated from the cess is used to support the work of the Central and State Boards, including monitoring, research, and enforcement activities. The Act has been amended to include incentives for industries that comply with specified water consumption and effluent quality standards. The Act initially applied to 15 states and Union Territories and can be adopted by other states through a resolution under Article 252 of the Constitution.

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