2016 Prelims GS-I Environment Questions (Part II)

The following questions in 2016 Prelims were the more difficult and obscure ones. I have given below the questions, answers, and explanations where necessary. The concepts and topics that arise from the questions will be discussed in subsequent posts.  

1. The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative?

1.   To provide modern technology, training in modern farming methods and financial support to local communities of identified GIAHS so as to greatly enhance their agricultural productivity

2.   To identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farm practices and their associated landscapers, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems of the local communities

3.   To provide Geographical Indication status to all the varieties of agricultural produce in such identified GIAHS

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Answer: (b)

From the website of UN FAO (GIAHS):

In order to safeguard and support the world’s agricultural heritage systems, in 2002 UN FAO started an initiative for the dynamic conservation of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). The GIAHS Initiative promotes public understanding, awareness, national and international recognition of Agricultural Heritage systems. Looking to safeguard the social, cultural, economic and environmental goods and services these provide to family farmers, smallholders, indigenous peoples and local communities, the initiative fosters an integrated approach combining sustainable agriculture and rural development.

The GIAHS initiative has project interventions in Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chile, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Turkey. In these countries, adaptive management approaches will be developed and implemented, to assist national and local stakeholders in the dynamic conservation of their agricultural heritage systems.

The project sites in India include the following:

1. Saffron heritage site ‘Pampore’ is situated on the banks of river Vatista in Kashmir. 

2. Traditional Agricultural system of Koraput, Odisha

3. Kuttanad 'below sea level' farming system, Kerala.

2. In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome', sometimes seen in the news, refers to

(a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing
(b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism
(c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression
(d) a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells

Answer: (b)

Reference (Factsheet): www.genome.gov

3. Which of the following best describes/ describe the aim of 'Green India Mission' of the Government of India?

1. Incorporating environmental benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the `green accounting'
2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agricultural output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future
3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Answer: (c)

From the MoEFCC website:

The National Mission for Green India (GIM) is one of the eight Missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It aims at protecting; restoring and enhancing India’s diminishing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures. It envisages a holistic view of greening and focuses on multiple ecosystem services, especially, biodiversity, water, biomass, preserving mangroves, wetlands, critical habitats etc. along with carbon sequestration as a co-benefit. This mission has adopted an integrated cross-sectoral approach as it will be implemented on both public as well as private lands with a key role of the local communities in planning, decision making, implementation and monitoring.

4. 'Net metering' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of promoting the

(a) production and use of solar energy by the households/consumers
(b) use of piped natural gas in the kitchens of households
(c) installation of CNG kits in motor-cars
(d) installation of water meters in urban households

Answer: (a)

5. What is/are unique about ‘Kharai camel’, a breed found in India?

1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater.
2. It survives by grazing on mangroves.
3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Kharai camel:

·      Rare and endangered camel species found only in Kachch, Gujarat

·      Feed on mangroves and other saline plants and can swim in deep sea waters.

·      Madharis breed the camel for their livelihood.

6. With reference to an initiative called ‘The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is an initiative hosted by UNEP, IMF and World Economic Forum.
2. It is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity.
3. It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Answer: (c)

From the TEEB website:

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is an initiative of the G8+5 countries and EU. Its principal objective is to mainstream the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services into decision-making at all levels. TEEB analyzes the global economic benefit of biological diversity, the costs of the loss of biodiversity and the failure to take protective measures versus the costs of effective conservation. The first study on this issue made by Pavan Sukhdev was presented at COP-9 of CBD in Bonn, Germany in May 2008.

7. With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a tree species found in a part of South India.
2. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rain forest areas of South India.

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

Answer: (a)

Red Sanders are found in south India, but only in the dry deciduous forests.

8. What is ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol’?

(a) It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions
(b) It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies
(c) It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022
(d) It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank

Answer: (a)

From the website of Greenhouse Gas Protocol:

The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, developed by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), sets the global standard for how to measure, manage, and report greenhouse gas emissions. Hundreds of companies and organizations around the world are using GHG Protocol standards and tools to manage their emissions and become more efficient, resilient, and prosperous organizations.

9. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
Viruses can infect

1. bacteria
2. fungi
3. plants

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Answer: (d)

10. What is/are the purpose/purposes of `District Mineral Foundations' in India?

1. Promoting mineral exploration activities in mineral-rich districts
2. Protecting the interests of the persons affected by mining operations
3. Authorizing State Governments to issue licences for mineral exploration

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Answer: (b)

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2015 provides for the establishment of District Mineral Foundations (DMF) in the districts where mining takes place. This is designed to address the long time grievance of the civil society that people affected by mining are not cared for. Under the Mines and Minerals (Contribution to District Mineral Foundation) Rules, 2015, there is separate provision for contribution to the DMF not exceeding one-third of the royalty rate in the respective minerals.

11. On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label?

1. Ceiling fans
2. Electric geysers
3. Tubular fluorescent lamps

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

This is a tricky question, since BEE star rating is mandatory for tubular fluorescent lamps, but voluntary for ceiling fans and electric geysers. Thus, tubular fluorescent lamps must have a start rating, while ceiling fans and electric geysers can or may have a rating. Perhaps, UPSC key would give (d) as the correct answer.

According to the website of Bureau of Energy Efficiency, star rating is mandatory for frost-free refrigerators, tubular fluorescent lamps, room air-conditioners, and distribution transformers. The rating is voluntary for a number of appliances including ceiling fans, LPG stoves, LED lamps, diesel generator, office equipment, washing machine, colour TV, computer, electric geyser, direct cool refrigerator, and certain types of room air-conditioners.

12. India is an important member of the 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?

(a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation
(b) It can attain a global role in satellite navigation
(c) It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation
(d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation

Answer: (d)

From the website of ITER:

Fusion is one of the few potential alternatives for large-scale energy production. Fusion, which can be viewed as an advanced nuclear technology, provides a great opportunity to countries like India and China to meet their energy needs.

The ITER Project is one of the most ambitious energy projects in the world today. It is a globe-spanning collaboration of 35 nations. The ITER Members - China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States - have combined resources to conquer one of the greatest frontiers in science—reproducing on Earth the boundless energy that fuels the Sun and the stars. The seven Members will share of the cost of project construction, operation and decommissioning. They will also share the experimental results and any intellectual property generated by the operation phase.

In southern France, the 35 nations are collaborating to build the world's largest magnetic fusion device that has been designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy. The EU plans to bring fusion electricity to the grid by 2050. Japan, Korea, India and Russia have also stated their intention to begin building demonstration fusion power plants in the early 2030s in order to operate it in the 2040s.

13. Which of the following is/are the advantage /advantages of practising drip irrigation?

1. Reduction in weed
2. Reduction in soil salinity
3. Reduction in soil erosion

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the above is an advantage of practising drip irrigation

Answer: (c)

In some cases, drip irrigation increases soil salinity on the edges of the wetted areas.

14. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?

1. Carbon dioxide
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Nitrogen dioxide
4. Sulfur dioxide
5. Methane

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer: (b)

See Chapter 12, Page 434 of the book.

15. Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following States has declared a particular butterfly as 'State Butterfly'?

(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Himachal Pradesh
(c) Karnataka
(d) Maharashtra

Answer: (d)

In June 2015, Maharashtra became the first State in the country to have a ‘State butterfly.’ The state government declared the Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor) as the State butterfly. The Blue Mormon is a large, swallowtail butterfly found primarily in Sri Lanka and India, mainly restricted to the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, South India and coastal belts. It may occasionally be spotted in the Maharashtrian mainland between Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra. It is reportedly the second largest butterfly found in India, just smaller than the southern birdwing.

16. What is/are the importance/importances of the 'United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification'?

1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships.
2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portion of financial resources to these regions.
3. It is committed to bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating the desertification.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c)

17. In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the `Great Indian Hornbill' in its natural habitat?

(a) Sand deserts of northwest India
(b) Higher Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir
(c) Salt marshes of western Gujarat
(d) Western Ghats

Answer: (d)

There are nine species of hornbills found in India. The Great Indian Hornbill, Buceros bicornis, is the largest member of the hornbill family and is found in the Western Ghats, Himalayan foothills, and northeast India. It is the state bird of Kerala.

18. Why does the Government of India promote the use of Neem-coated Urea' in agriculture?

(a) Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms
(b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil.
(c) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields
(d) It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops

Answer: (b)

Neem-coated urea slows down the process of nitrification of urea, enhances the yield, decreases the urea requirement. According to National Fertilizers, 20% less urea is required as compared to ordinary urea. It is also helpful in preventing insect attacks,