Test: Environment and Ecology MCQs (June 2024 Current Affairs) - UPSC MCQ

1. Correct: Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) is located in Seethakonda Reserve Forest.

2. Incorrect: IGZP is surrounded by the Eastern Ghats on three sides, not the Western Ghats.

3. Correct: IGZP is recognized by the Central Zoo Authority.

4. Correct: IGZP is in close proximity to Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary.

Statement 1 is correct. The Greater Adjutant is indeed listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Greater Adjutant has three known breeding grounds, only two are in India (Assam and Bihar), and one is in Cambodia.
Statement 3 is correct. The stork is considered a religious icon and is associated with Vishnu in Hindu mythology, often referred to as 'Garuda Maharaj' or 'Guru Garuda.'
Thus, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

In 2021, Sicily, Italy, in Europe reached a temperature of 48.8°C, setting a record for the continent. This record temperature highlights the increasing trend of high temperatures in various regions due to global warming.

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space. This trapping of heat leads to an increase in global temperatures, a phenomenon exacerbated by human activities and the emission of greenhouse gases.

Statement 1 is correct. The Greater Adjutant Stork is protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 in India.
Statement 2 is correct. Bihar has indeed decided to tag Greater Adjutant Storks with GPS trackers as part of their conservation efforts.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Greater Adjutant Stork is considered helpful to farmers as it helps in controlling pests by killing rats and other farm pests.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

Statement 1 is correct. The destruction and degradation of wetlands are major threats to the Greater Adjutant Stork.
Statement 2 is correct. The loss of nesting trees is also a significant factor contributing to the decline of the species.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Greater Adjutant's habitat once spanned across South and Southeast Asia, not just confined to the wetlands of Assam.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

1. Statement 1 is correct. One of the recent trends in Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) technologies is to alter the chemical composition of seawater so that it absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

2. Statement 2 is correct. Coastal waters can indeed turn acidic due to several natural processes including freshwater influx, biological activity, temperature change, and climate patterns like El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

3. Statement 3 is incorrect. The report notes that it is still unclear whether deoxygenation is accelerating in response to increased Ocean Heat Content (OHC).

Thus, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

- Statement 1 is correct. The predation by the Indian House Crow has disrupted the ecosystem, allowing pest insects to proliferate due to the decline in indigenous bird populations.

- Statement 2 is correct. The Kenyan government's action plan to control the Indian House Crow population does include the use of licensed poison for population control.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Previous efforts in Kenya managed to reduce the number of Indian House Crows temporarily, indicating that they were not entirely unsuccessful.

Odisha is not part of the Western Ghats region in India. The Western Ghats mountain range spans across six states along India's western coast, namely Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Goa. These states are known for their rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems, and cultural significance. Odisha, located on the eastern coast of India, is not geographically included in the Western Ghats range.

1. Statement 1 is correct. According to the UNESCO State of the Ocean Report 2024, from 1960 through 2023, the upper 2,000 metres of oceans warmed at a rate of 0.32 ± 0.03 watt per square metre (W/m²).

2. Statement 2 is correct. Increased Ocean Heat Content (OHC) indeed prevents ocean layers from mixing and deoxygenating, lowering the preformed oxygen content of near-surface high-latitude waters reaching the deeper layers of oceans.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The report also mentions that the average global surface ocean pH has declined continuously by 0.017-0.027 pH units per decade in the open ocean since the late 1980s.

Thus, all statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.

1. Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries were recognized as Ramsar Sites on World Environment Day 2024. (Correct)

2. Keoladeo National Park is located in Rajasthan, not West Bengal. (Incorrect)

3. Ramsar Convention was signed in the city of Ramsar, Iran. (Correct)

4. Nakti Bird Sanctuary reported the highest number of birds in the Asiatic Waterbird Census 2023. (Correct)

1. Emission Gap Report - UNEP: Correct. The Emission Gap Report is published by UNEP.

2. First World Environment Day Celebrated - 1974: Incorrect. The first World Environment Day was celebrated in 1973, not 1974.

3. UNEP Headquarters - Nairobi, Kenya: Correct. The headquarters of UNEP is in Nairobi, Kenya.

4. Minamata Convention on Mercury - Pollution Control: Correct. The Minamata Convention on Mercury addresses mercury pollution control.

Rising global temperatures contribute to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, leading to an increase in sea levels. This rise in sea levels poses significant challenges, including the inundation of coastal areas, displacement of communities, and disruptions to ecosystems.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Indian House Crow is indeed listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act in India.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The Indian House Crow is native to India and parts of Asia and was introduced to East Africa via shipping activities, not the other way around.

- Statement 3 is correct. The introduction of the Indian House Crow to East Africa has led to a decline in indigenous bird populations due to its predatory behavior, including preying on endangered local bird species, destroying nests, and eating eggs and chicks.

1. World Environment Day - June 5: Correct. World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5.

2. First World Environment Day Theme - Only One Earth: Correct. The theme for the first World Environment Day in 1973 was "Only One Earth."

3. UNEP Headquarters - Geneva, Switzerland: Incorrect. The headquarters of UNEP is in Nairobi, Kenya.

4. 2024 Theme of World Environment Day - Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience: Correct. The theme for World Environment Day 2024 is "Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience."