2017 Prelims GS-I Environment Questions (Part I)

The following environment-related questions in 2017 Prelims were relatively easy ones with clear answers. I have given the questions, answers and (where possible) the corresponding references in my book. The next post will deal with the more difficult and obscure questions.

1. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for

(a) Measuring oxygen levels in blood

(b) Computing oxygen levels in forest ecosystems

(c) Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems

(d) Assessing oxygen levels in high altitude regions

2. If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit?

(a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves

(b) Chambal River

(c) Pulicat Lake

(d) Deepor Beel

3. Consider the following statements:

The nation-wide ‘Soil Health Card Scheme’ aims at

1. Expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.
2. Enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality.
3. Checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

4. The term M-STrIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

(a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna

(b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves

(c) Indigenous Satellite Navigation System

(d) Security of National Highways

5. In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be the potential sites for carbon sequestration?

1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams
2.   Depleted oil and gas reservoirs
3. Subterranean deep saline formations

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

6. Which of the following practices can help in water conservation in agriculture? ‎

1. ‎Reduced or zero tillage of the land ‎
2. Applying gypsum before irrigating the field ‎
3. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field ‎

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

7. In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?

(a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.

(b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection, and now it is impossible to prevent its extinction.

(c) It is endemic to a particular region of India.

(d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.

8. Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites?

(a) Corbett National Park

(b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary

(c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

(d) Sariska National Park

9. According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law?

1. Gharial
2. Indian wild ass
3. Wild Buffalo

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

Answers:

Q.No	Ans.	Reference/Remarks
1	c	Chap. 12, P.443
2	b	Chap. 6, P.214
3	b	Chap. 10, P.356
4	b	Chap.6, P.208
5	d	Chap. 13, P.492
6	c	Applying gypsum is a doubtful option
7	a	Easy to guess, if you know about Schedule I
8	b	This was in the news
9	d	All three are in Schedule I of the Act