Water Conservation

31. Which one of the following is the correct definition of "Agenda 21"? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

(a) It is an action plan of U.N.O. for protecting human rights.
(b) It is a book of 21st chapters on nuclear disarmament.
(c) It is an action plan for the conservation of the global environment in the 21st century.
(d) It is an agenda for the election of the President in the next meeting of SAARC.

Correct Answer: (c) It is an action plan for the conservation of the global environment in the 21st century.

Solution:Agenda 21 is a legally non-binding, voluntarily implemented action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development. It is a product of Earth Summit (UN Conference on Environment and Development) held in Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. Agenda 21 is a 350 page document divided in to 40 chapters that have been grouped into 4 sections.

Agenda 21 addresses today's pressing issues while also preparing the world for the challenges of the next century. It reflects a global consensus and high-level political commitment to development and environmental cooperation. Governments are primarily responsible for its successful implementation. National strategies, plans, policies, and processes will be essential in accomplishing this.
Such national efforts should be supported and supplemented by international cooperation. The United Nations system plays an important role in this context. Other international, regional, and subregional organizations are also being asked to help with this effort. The broadest possible public participation, as well as the active participation of non-governmental organizations and other groups, should be encouraged.

32. 'Agenda-21' is related to which field? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

(a) Sustainable development
(b) Nuclear disarmament
(c) Patent protection
(d) Agricultural subsidies

Correct Answer: (a) Sustainable development

Solution:Agenda 21 is a legally non-binding, voluntarily implemented action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development. It is a product of Earth Summit (UN Conference on Environment and Development) held in Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. Agenda 21 is a 350 page document divided in to 40 chapters that have been grouped into 4 sections.

Agenda 21 addresses today's pressing issues while also preparing the world for the challenges of the next century. It reflects a global consensus and high-level political commitment to development and environmental cooperation. Governments are primarily responsible for its successful implementation. National strategies, plans, policies, and processes will be essential in accomplishing this.
Such national efforts should be supported and supplemented by international cooperation. The United Nations system plays an important role in this context. Other international, regional, and subregional organizations are also being asked to help with this effort. The broadest possible public participation, as well as the active participation of non-governmental organizations and other groups, should be encouraged.

33. How many agreements are there in Agenda-21? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

(a) 4
(b) 5
(c) 6
(d) 7

Correct Answer: (a) 4

Solution:Agenda 21, is a non-binding voluntarily implemented action Agenda 21 addresses today's pressing issues while also preparing the world for the challenges of the next century. It reflects a global consensus and high-level political commitment to development and environmental cooperation. Governments are primarily responsible for its successful implementation. National strategies, plans, policies, and processes will be essential in accomplishing this.
Such national efforts should be supported and supplemented by international cooperation. The United Nations system plays an important role in this context. Other international, regional, and subregional organizations are also being asked to help with this effort. The broadest possible public participation, as well as the active participation of non-governmental organizations and other groups, should be encouraged.plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development. There are 4 agreement in Agenda-2021.

34. AGMARK Act came into force in India in __________. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

(a) 1937
(b) 1952
(c) 1957
(d) 1965

Correct Answer: (a) 1937

Solution:AGMARK Act or Agriculture Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 is an Act to provide for the grading and marking of agriculture and other produce. It came into effect in 1937.A.1A

AGMARK is a quality certificate that labels a product pure and of necessary quality as per guidelines specified by a governing body. It acts as a third-party guarantee for agricultural products consumed in India. The quality of an agricultural commodity is based on its intrinsic merit, and these standards are devised keeping in mind International laws and specifications so that we comply with the WTO requirements.
Products that fall under AGMARK:
Pulses
Whole spices
Vegetable oils
Wheat Products
Milk products
Honey
Rice
Tapioca Sago
Seedless tamarind
Besan (Gram flour)

35. Consider the following statements : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]

1. The Standard Mark of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is, mandatory for automotive tyres and tubes.

2. AGMARK is a quality Certification Mark issued by the Food and agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only

Solution:All models & brands of automotive vehicles-Pneumatic tyres for two & three-wheeled motor vehicles are required to obtain ISI Certification, before their launch or import into the Indian market. BIS ISI for Automotive Tubes & Tyres will only be provided to product manufacturers (whether Indian or foreign) and not to traders, dealers, or distributors. Bureau of Indian Standards grants BIS ISI for Automotive Tubes & Tyres. ISI certification is renowned for assuring quality to the customer. Only the Product manufacturer is qualified for BIS Certification. AGMARK is a quality certification mark issued by the Ministry ofAgricultural and Farmers Welfare.

36. With reference to 'Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' (OPCW), consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2016]

1. It is an organization of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO.

2. It monitors the chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging.

3. It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Solution:The mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to achieve the OPCW's vision of the world that is free of chemical weapons and the threat of their use. This program has following broad aims.

1. To ensure a credible and transparent regime for verifying the destruction of chemical weapons and to prevent their re-emergence, while protecting the legitimate national security and proprietary interest.

2. To provide protection and operation in peaceful uses of chemistry

3. To bring about universal membership of the OPCW by facilitating international cooperation and national capacity building. The OPCW member states represent 98% of the global population and landmass, Hundred percent of the chemical weapons stockpile declared by possessor states have been verifiably destroyed.

Hence (b) is the correct answer.

37. 'Vegetation is the true index of climate'. This statement is associated with- [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

(a) Thornthwaite
(b) Koppen
(c) Trewartha
(d) Stamp

Correct Answer: (b) Koppen

Solution:The statement 'Vegetation is the true index of climate' is associated with Koppen Climate Classification, a system first published in 1900 and revised in 1918 by Wladimir Peter Koppen.

Koeppen's Climatic Classification system is based on monthly temperature and precipitation values. It identifies five major climatic types:

Tropical Climates (mean monthly temperature over 18°C),
Dry Climates (very low precipitation compared to temperature),
Warm Temperate Climates (coldest month's mean temperature between 18°C and -3°C),
Cool Temperate Climates (mean temperature of the warmest month over 10°C, and coldest month below -3°C), and
Polar Climates (mean temperature of the warmest month less than 10°C).

38. With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]

1. UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all.

2. Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only.

3. UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

Select the correct answer using codes given below:

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

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Solution:The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN- Habitat) is the United Nations agency for human settlements and sustainable urban development. It was established in 1978, at Nairobi the capital of Kenya. This agency has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities that provide equate shelter for all. Its partners include not only the governments and the local municipal authority, but also the personal and non-governmental partners. It contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

39. The five rhino range nations, who signed a declaration "The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019" are India, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia and ________. [65th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (d) Bhutan

Solution:India and four rhino range nations (Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia and Bhutan) have signed a declaration 'The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019' for the conservation and protection of the species at the recently held Second Asian Rhino Range countries meeting. It is noteworthy that Second Asian Rhino Range countries meeting (from February 26 to 28 in 2019) was held at New Delhi and organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Government of India in collaboration with the IUCN Asian Rhino Specialist Group, WWF - India and Aaranyak.

40. Which of the following is known as "Dakshin Gangotri"? [Uttrakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2007]

(a) The place of origin of the river Kaveri.
(b) The place where Periyar flows Northwards.
(c) India's first Antarctic Research Station.
(d) The rocket launching centre in Kerala.

Correct Answer: (c) India's first Antarctic Research Station.

Solution:Dakshin Gangotri is the first research base station of India situated in Antarctica. It is currently being used as a supply base and transit camp. India's second research centre 'Maitree' was established in 1989. India's third research base was 'Bharati'.