Q 1 . How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board
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:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) EXPLANATION : Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), is statutory organization, was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. 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, is to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas. 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.
Q 2 . Consider the following statements:
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 India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) EXPLANATION : 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. Under FRA Act, district level Committees have to adjudicate the rights, whereas Tribal ministry only issues guidelines.
Q 3 . In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Manipur
(c) Meghalaya
(d) Nagaland
(a) EXPLANATION : “Pakhui / Pakke Tiger reserve” is in Arunanchal Pradesh, so if there is a wildlife sanctuary in Pakhui, it should be in Arunanchal Pradesh.
Q 4 . The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at
(a) The Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Johannesburg
(b) The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro
(c) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2015, Paris
(d) The World Sustainable Development Summit 2016, New Delhi
(b) EXPLANATION : In 2012, Rio+20 (the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development) was held in Brazil.Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) was launched in 2013 as a response to the call at Rio+20 to support those countries wishing to embark on greener and more inclusive growth trajectories.
Q 5 . “Momentum for Change : Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by
(a) The Intergovernmentai Panel on Climate Change
(b) The UNEP Secretariat
(c) The UNFCCC Secretariat
(d) The World Meteorological Organisation
(c) EXPLANATION : UNFCCC secretariat launched its Climate Neutral Now initiative in 2015. The following year, the secretariat 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 .
Q 6 . Which one of the following national parks lies completely in the Temperate alpine zone?
(a) Manas national park
(b) Namdapha national park
(c) Neora valley national park
(d) Valley of flower national park
(d) EXPLANATION : Valley of flowers is completely in the temperate zone.
Q 7 . Consider the following statements:
1 . Asiatic lion is 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?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) EXPLANATION : Two humped camel are called Bactrian camel, found in Central Asia’s cold deserts. Javan rhinoceros is called lesser one-horned rhinoceros and found only on the island of Java in Indonesia. Indian rhinoceros is called greater one-horned rhinoceros.
Q 8 . It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry?
1 . Production of algae based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.
2 . Setting up and engineering the algae based biofuel production requires high level of expertise/ technology until the construction is completed.
3 . Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise
ecological and social concerns.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(b) EXPLANATION : Algae and cyanobacteria biomass production in the land especially deserts could be perceived as a good use of low-value land . Open Algal ponds will attract insect larvae invasion and affect predator-prey balance. This is ecological concern.
Q 9 . The term “sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction” is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of
(a) Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.
(b) Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.
(c) Large scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their
cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants
and the loss of food biodiversity.
(d) Mankind’s over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
(d) EXPLANATION : Scientists are suggesting that the sixth mass extinction is underway as there is a species loss of 100-1000 every year. The normal background extinction rate is about 10- 25 species per year. Habitat loss, overpopulation of humans, pollution, over-harvesting and invasive species invasion are cited as the main reasons.
Q 10 . Consider the following pairs :
Terms sometimes seen in the news : Their origin
1 . Annex—I Countries : Cartagena Protocol
2 . Certified Emissions Reductions : Nagoya Protocol
3 . Clean Development Mechanism : Kyoto Protocol
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(c) EXPLANATION : The Kyoto Protocol separates countries into two groups. Annex I includes developed nations, while Non- Annex I refers to developing countries. A CER is a certificate which is issued every time the United Nations prevents one tonne of CO2 equivalent being emitted through carbon projects registered with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). All three terms are associated with Kyoto Protocol.
