UKPSC Prelims Paper 1 Mock Test - 3 - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) MCQ

In 2023, there were 43 fatalities reported due to human-wildlife conflicts involving tigers and leopards in Uttarakhand, with 22 deaths attributed to tiger attacks and 21 to leopard attacks. This highlights ongoing challenges in managing human-wildlife interactions in the region.

IG Drones is utilizing 5G drone technology for the Uttarakhand Metro Rail Project. This advanced technology allows for high-resolution data collection and real-time monitoring of construction progress, ensuring efficiency and precision in the project’s development. Drones have become a vital tool in modern infrastructure projects, offering a cost-effective and detailed approach to site surveying.

Global warming significantly impacts the Himalayan region by accelerating glacier melt and diminishing snowfall. As temperatures rise, the delicate ecological balance is disrupted, leading to potential water resource shortages and alterations in local ecosystems.

The Uttarakhand government plans to provide a fixed honorarium of Rs 80 per destitute bovine animal adopted by residents. In special cases, where the animal requires additional care, this amount may increase to Rs 100. This initiative aims to encourage animal welfare and support residents in caring for vulnerable animals.

India is home to a total of 244 orchid species. This rich diversity includes 120 species found in Uttarakhand alone, highlighting the region's ecological significance. Orchids are known for their unique structures and ecological roles, often serving as indicators of environmental health.

A cloudburst is a weather phenomenon that involves intense rainfall over a small area, often exceeding 100 mm/h. This sudden downpour can lead to flash floods, especially in mountainous regions, posing significant risks to both life and property.

Uttarakhand is facing significant challenges in managing the large number of tourists, which has increased eight-fold. This surge in visitors places immense pressure on local infrastructure, natural resources, and the environment, prompting the government to seek assistance for effective management.

The estimated cost of the drinking water project planned under the Song Dam project in Dehradun is Rs. 524 crores. This project aims to construct a reservoir and a water treatment plant to provide drinking water to the city’s wards. The significance of such infrastructure projects highlights the ongoing efforts to improve urban water supply and management, particularly in growing urban areas.

The primary purpose of the additional virtual classrooms is to facilitate live online classes for students in Dehradun, particularly for those in grades 6 to 12. This initiative aims to improve access to education, especially for underprivileged students, and to ensure that they can receive quality instruction irrespective of their location. The use of technology in education not only enhances learning outcomes but also prepares students for a more digital future.

The Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar constituency recorded the highest voter turnout at 59.9%. This level of engagement is significant as it reflects the effectiveness of local campaigns and the electorate's interest in participating in the democratic process. Voter turnout can vary widely between constituencies based on local issues and the candidates running.

Leopards have been associated with a significant number of fatalities in human-wildlife conflicts in Uttarakhand, contributing to the alarming statistic of 444 human deaths since 2017. This highlights the ongoing challenges of coexistence between wildlife and human populations in the region.

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development schemes worth Rs 229.3 crores in Gopeshwar. These schemes aim to enhance infrastructure and public services in the region, reflecting the government's commitment to local development.

Radha Raturi made history by becoming the first woman Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in the representation of women in high administrative positions in the state, reflecting a broader trend towards gender equality in governance.

The correct answer is option (1) i.e. Pithoragarh.

• Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the India’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries and is rightly known as the 'green paradise of India'.
• Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, with altitude range from 600 m (2,000 ft) to 6,905 m (22,654 ft) is located in the Pithoragarh district of Kumaun.
• The River Kali forms the international boundary and separates it from Nepal in the east and to the west it is bounded by West Almora Forest Division, to the north by Tibet and the south by Pithoragarh Forest Division.
• The famous peaks: Panchchuli, Neodhura, Naukana, Chhiplakot, Najirikot.
• The passes: Lipu lekh, Lumpia lekh and Mankshang lekh.
• The religious places: Bhanar, Chiplakot, Niirikot, Panchachuli, Kalapani and Chota Kailash (Adi Kailash) form a part of the Sanctuary.

The correct answer is 6th.

Key Points

Uttarakhand Forest Area

• ​The state ranks sixth among the other states in terms of the percentage of recorded forest area.
• The top five states in terms of forest cover as a percentage of total geographical area are Mizoram (84.53%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya (76.00%), Manipur (74.34%) and Nagaland (73.90%).
• The state has thus varied terrain, a major portion of which is mountainous with unique ecological diversity consisting of high alpine areas to the Sub-tropical and Tropical regions.
• The total Forest cover area in the state is 3.47 million ha constituting 71% of the State’s Geographical area.
• The forest diversity of the state comprises of Tropical Moist Forest (500-1000m) which is Terai and Bhabar belt of Sub Himalayan Tract, Sub-Tropical Pine Forest (1000-2000m), Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (2000-3000m), Sub-Alpine Forests (3400-4000m) and Alpine Forests 4000-5000m).
• Physiographically, the state can be divided into three zones namely, the Himalaya, The Shiwalik and the Tarai Region.
• The state has a temperate climate except in plain areas where the climate is tropical.
• The average annual rainfall is 1550 mm.
• The major wealth of the state is its forests with very rich biodiversity.

The correct answer is Manvendra Shah.

• When India got independence, Manvendra Shah was the king of Tehri.
• ‘The land of celestial beauty is the title which is given to the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttrakhand.

Key Points

• It is believed that Vedas, shastras, and Mahabharta were written in Garhwal.
• In Garhwal, Kanak Pal was the first ruler.
• There was no influence of mighty Mughals in the Garhwal region.
• The region emerged as an independent kingdom.
• The kings of the Garhwal region maintained diplomatic relations with the Mughals.
• Later, the Pala rulers were called Shahs.
• The title of Shah was given by Mughal rulers.
• For massive physical strength, the ruler Balbhadra Pal was famous.

​Chadwick Falls is not a waterfall in Uttarakhand.
Key Points

• The most popular sightseeing place in Shimla Himachal Pradesh, Chadwick Falls has always been a delightful experience for tourists.
• It is an amazing place to hang out with your friends and offers a great hiking trail that lets you explore its quietness, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
• Positioned at an altitude of nearly 1586 meters above sea level, this place is located just a few minutes away from Summer Hill.
• And has everything that you need to relax and rejuvenate your senses.
• It is an unexpected waterfall in the woods of serenity and a must-visit attraction of the Shimla tour.

Additional Information
There is a total of 14 waterfalls in Uttarakhand.

• Kempty Falls
• Bhatta Falls
• Corbett Falls
• Vasudhara Falls
• Neer Garh Waterfall
• Birthi Falls
• Tiger Falls
• Sahastradhara Falls
• Chineshwar Waterfall
• Kimona Falls
• Moigad Fall
• Shikhar Fall
• Phool Chatti Waterfall
• Garud Chatti Waterfall

The correct answer is Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Key Points

Japan International Cooperation Agency-

• In New Delhi, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organized the 7th Forestry Project Director's meeting for JICA assisted Forestry and Natural Resource Management Projects.
• Uttarakhand Integrated Horticulture Development Project is enrolled in JICA.
• The meeting was aimed at sharing the experiences and cross-learning with respect to working on JICA assisted projects in India by the project heads and strengthening the working environment and relationship between the Government of India, JICA and the Forest Department Officials of projects.
• The objective of the project is to promote
  • High value-added agriculture by facility development and capacity development for production,
  • Processing and marketing promotion for horticulture crops,
  • Contributing to the improvement of income of farmers in Uttarakhand.

The correct answer is Srinagar (Garhwal).

Key Points

• 'Dhanush Teerth' is called Srinagar (Garhwal).
• Srinagar is located at the left bank of the Alaknanda river.
• It has an average elevation of 560 metres (1,837 feet).
• It is the largest town in the Garhwal Hills.
• It is reached by national highway NH58 from Rishikesh, Srinagar is about 100 km from Rishikesh which is the last city on the plains of Uttarakhand and from where the mountains start.

Additional Information

• In 1839 A. D Kumaon was divided into two districts Kumaon and Garhwal.
• In 1815 the Kumaon region was joined with the eastern half of the Garhwal region as a chief commissionership on the Non-Regulation System, also known as the Kumaon Province.
• In 1889, Kumaon became a commissionerate that included parts of Garhwal.
• Garhwal became a separate commissionerate in 1967. It got its first university in 1973, after a movement for education.

The correct answer is ​Uttarakhand Ayurveda University.

Key Points

• The Ministry of AYUSH on 16 Dec'21 announced to build a 'Marma Chikitsa' training centre in the Uttarakhand Ayurveda University as the nodal centre for the country.
• It will help students from across the country and world to specialize themselves in Ayurveda.
• This was announced under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) scheme in order to promote Ayurveda, Unani, Naturopathy, herbal medicines.

Additional Information

• About National AYUSH Mission (NAM) scheme:
  • ​In July 2021, the central government decided to continue the National Ayush Mission (NAM) as a centrally sponsored scheme till 2026.
  • Under this scheme, subsidies at 30%, 50% and 75% of cultivation cost of specific plant species are provided for cultivation of 140 medicinal plants.
  • The support is provided for the cultivation of prioritized medicinal plants on farmer’s land and the establishment of nurseries with backward linkages for raising and supply of quality planting material.​

The correct answer is 17th.

• The literacy rate of Uttarakhand stands at 78.82%.
• Uttarakhand stands at 17th position, in terms of literacy rate, as per the 2011 census.

Key Points

• This literacy rate of the state is above the national average of 74.04%.
• The male literacy rate of the state is 87.40%.
• The female literacy rate of the state is 70.01%.
• Male and female literacy rates, both have increased from the literacy rate in 2001.
• 6,880,953 is the total number of literates in the state in 2011.
• Dehradun has a literacy rate of about 84.25%.
• Nainital has a literacy rate of about 83.88%.

The correct answer is Nainital.
Key Points

• Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Ramnagar, located in the district of Nainital, Uttarakhand.
  • Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the heart of Corbett National Park.
  • Due to its large area, this wildlife zone can be accessed from different gates of Corbett.
  • Sonanadi Sanctuary is spread over 301.18 sqkm of prime forests of the Shiwalik Terai biotic province.
  • Historically, it was carved out of Kalagarh Forest Division.
  • It was brought under the umbrella of Project Tiger and became a part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve in 1991 and also a part of Project Elephant.

Important Points

Additional Information
Uttarakhand -

• Chief Minister - Pushkar Singh Dhami
• Governor - Gurmit Singh
• State animal - musk deer
• Lok Sabha seats - 5
• Rajya Sabha seats - 3

The correct answer is Rudraprayag.

Key Points

• Chaurabari Glacier is a small glacier located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India.
• It is situated at an elevation of about 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) above sea level and is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the region, including Kedarnath Peak, Kirti Stambh, and Bharatekuntha.
• The glacier is a source of the Mandakini River, which is one of the major tributaries of the Ganges.
• It is approximately 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) long and 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide.

The correct answer is Phool Dei.
Key Points

• Phool Dei festival is the harvest festival celebrated in Uttarakhand.
• ​​Phool Dei is an auspicious folk festival celebrated to welcome the spring season.
• The festival is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month, Chaitra.
• During this festival young girls gather together and go to every house in their village/towns with plates full of rice, jaggery, coconut, green leaves, and flowers and sing their folk songs.

Additional Information

• A pudding made from jaggery is the key dish of the festival.
• This festival showcases the inner connection between the communities living in the hills

The correct answer is Almora.

Key Points

• Almora was founded in 1568 by King Kalyan Chand, however there are accounts of human settlements in the hills and surrounding region in the Hindu epic Mahabharata in the 8th and 9th century BCE.
• Almora was the seat of Chand kings that ruled over the Kumaon Kingdom. It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
• This place got its name from "Bhilmora", a kind of sorrel,(although some have tried to derive it from Berberis "kilmora" a short plant commonly found there.
• It is surrounded by thick forests of pine and fir trees. Flowing alongside the city are rivers of Suyal (Salmale) and Koshi (Kaushiki).
• Almora has many notable temples, including Nanda Devi, Doli Daana, Shyayi Devi, Khakmara, Asht Bhairav, Kasar Devi, Jakhandevi, Katarmal (Sun Temple), Pataal Devi, Chitai, Jageshwar, Binsar Mahadev, Garhnath, Raghunath Mandir, Badreshwar, Banari Devi, and Baijnath.

The correct answer is 1 i.e. Tectonic earthquakes.
Explanation:

The correct answer is Shyam Shah.

Important Points

• In the history of Garhwal, it has been perceived that King Shyam Shah went to Agra for meeting the Mughal emperor Jahangir.

• However, this does not indicate that Garhwal had been a part of the Mughal Empire.

Additional Information

• Garhwal Kings were also protectors of dancers, singers, and musicians.

• According to Manodaya Kavya, there were dancers, singers, and musicians in the court of King Man Shah.

• Shyam Shah the Son of Man Shah was musicians.

• Shyam Shah could differentiate among Rag and Raganis.

• The artisans used to visit the Garhwal Kingdom and Shyam Shah used to offer them valuables.

• Also, Mahapati Shah, the husband of Rani Karnavati didn’t have a harmonious relationship with the Mughals.

• He was present when Shah Jahan was being crowned as the Mughal emperor in 1628.

The correct answer is Rana Bahadur Shah

Key Points

• Gorkhas invasion of Kumaun
  • In early 1790, the Gurkhas invaded the Kumaon Hills and Almora, under the leadership of Prithvi Narayan Shah.
  • They advanced by crossing River Kali, through Gangoli and the Chands under the titular Chand Raja were driven to the Bhabar and finally expelled.
  • Nepalese rule lasted for 24 years and came to the end with the beginning of the Anglo-Nepalese war.
• Rana Bahadur Shah
  • He was the King of Nepal from 1777 to 1799.
  • During his time, the Kingdom expanded by conquest to include the Garhwal and Kumaon regions.

Additional Information

• Mahendra Chand
  • He was the last ruler of the Chand Dynasty.
  • He was defeated by Gorkhas in the Battle of Hawalabagh in 1791.
• Amar Thapa
  • Amar Singh Thapa was a Gorkhali military general, governor, and warlord in the kingdom of Nepal.
  • He was the overall commander of the Nepal Army in the conquest of the western provinces and the authoritative ruler of Kumaon, Garhwal in the kingdom of Nepal.
  • He was also known as Bada Kaji or Budha Kaji.
  • He was referred by the king of Nepal to have been deployed as Mukhtiyar of Western provinces of Kumaon Garhwal
  • He is often hailed as the Living Lion of Nepal.

The correct answer is Jim Corbett.

Key Points

• Jim Corbett wrote the book 'The Man-Eaters of Kumaon'.
• Tree Tops is the last book by Jim Corbett.
• Other books:
  • My India
  • The Temple Tigers and More Man-Eaters of Kumaon
  • The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag
• Jim Corbett National Park is India's oldest and most prestigious National Park.
• It is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.

​Additional Information

• Ruskin Bond:
  • He is a writer of the Novel 'The room on the roof'.
  • It was Bond's first literary venture.
  • Ruskin Bond is an author of British descent of Indian origin.
  • He has conferred the Sahitya Academy Award in 1992 for "Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra" (his novel in English) and Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014.
  • He has written a lot of novels in almost all categories like fiction, non-fiction, children's fiction, and so on.