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

1. Glyptobasis dentifera - Rediscovered in Kerala after 75 years - Correct. Glyptobasis dentifera, a rare species of owlfly, was rediscovered in Kerala after 75 years.

2. Owlflies - Belong to the order Odonata - Incorrect. Owlflies belong to the order Neuroptera, not Odonata. Dragonflies belong to the order Odonata.

3. Clean Plant Programme - Focuses on horticultural crops - Correct. The Clean Plant Programme aims to enhance the yield and productivity of horticultural crops by providing disease-free and high-quality planting materials.

4. Great Barrier Reef - Located off the northeastern coast of Australia - Correct. The Great Barrier Reef is located off the northeastern coast of Australia in the Coral Sea.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve: Madhya Pradesh - Correct. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is located in Madhya Pradesh and is well-known for its significant tiger population.

2. Sariska Tiger Reserve: Gujarat - Incorrect. Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in Rajasthan, not Gujarat.

3. Sundarbans National Park: West Bengal - Correct. Sundarbans National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in West Bengal and is famous for its Bengal tiger population.

4. Kaziranga National Park: Assam - Correct. Kaziranga National Park is located in Assam and is renowned for its population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, as well as tigers.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1: Correct. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was indeed established to reconstitute Project Tiger after the local extinction of tigers in Rajasthan's Sariska in 2005. This measure was taken to strengthen the governance and conservation efforts for tigers in India.

2. Statement 2: Correct. The Buffer Area outside the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) is designed to promote coexistence between humans and animals while considering the rights of local communities regarding their livelihoods and cultural aspects. This area serves as a transition zone where human activities and wildlife conservation can coexist.

3. Statement 3: Incorrect. The Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA) does not allow for involuntary relocation of communities without their consent. According to the WLPA, relocation must be voluntary and agreed upon mutually, adhering to legal standards. The Forest Rights Act (FRA) and the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act 2013 also require community consent for relocation and ensure comprehensive rehabilitation packages.

Thus, the correct answer is "Option C: 1 and 2 Only."

The Clean Plant Programme (CPP) aims to enhance the yield and productivity of horticultural crops in India by providing disease-free and high-quality planting materials. To understand the correct statements, let's analyze each one:

1. The CPP aims to reduce the quarantine period for importing plants from two years to six months.
- This statement is correct. One of the goals of the CPP is to shorten the quarantine time for imported plants, facilitating easier access for farmers to disease-free and authentic planting materials.

2. The programme includes the establishment of nine Clean Plant Centers (CPCs) for disease diagnostics and treatment.
- This statement is also correct. The CPP involves setting up nine CPCs to ensure disease diagnostics and treatment, which is a critical component of the programme.

3. Funding for the CPP will be sourced entirely from the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
- This statement is incorrect. The funding for the CPP is sourced half from the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and half from a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Statement-I correctly describes the location and significance of the Great Barrier Reef, highlighting its position off the northeastern coast of Australia in the Coral Sea and its status as the largest living structure on Earth. Statement-II provides additional details about the reef, mentioning its vast expanse extending over 2,300 km in a specific direction, covering a substantial area, and comprising numerous individual reefs and islands. Statement-II elaborates on the scale and composition of the Great Barrier Reef, enhancing the understanding provided in Statement-I. Therefore, both statements are accurate, with Statement-II further elucidating the information presented in Statement-I.

1. Great Nicobar 'Holistic Development' Project: Led by the Ministry of Environment - Incorrect. The project is led by the NITI Aayog, not the Ministry of Environment.

2. Trans-shipment Port: Enhances regional and global maritime economy - Correct. The International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT) is anticipated to enhance the regional and global maritime economy.

3. Greenfield International Airport: Improves local road connectivity - Incorrect. The Greenfield International Airport is aimed at improving global connectivity, not just local road connectivity.

4. Wildlife Displacement: Endangers critical wildlife habitats - Correct. The reclassification of the Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and the establishment of a "zero extent" eco-sensitive zone for Galathea National Park endanger critical wildlife habitats.

Thus, two pairs are correctly matched.

The primary objective of the Great Nicobar 'Holistic Development' Project is to enhance the regional and global maritime economy through initiatives like the International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT) and Greenfield International Airport, among others. These developments are aimed at boosting connectivity and economic activities in the region.

1. The project includes the development of a 450 MVA gas and solar hybrid power facility.
This statement is correct. The Great Nicobar 'Holistic Development' Project does indeed include plans for a 450 MVA gas and solar hybrid power facility as part of its components.

2. The project location is near the Malacca Strait, which is a vital maritime corridor linking the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
This statement is correct. The strategic location of the project near the Malacca Strait is highlighted, emphasizing its importance as a key maritime corridor connecting the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

3. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the project fully complies with all Terms of Reference and addresses essential environmental and societal impacts.
This statement is incorrect. The text indicates that the EIA report does not comply with numerous Terms of Reference and fails to address essential environmental and societal impacts, which has been a significant point of contention.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

Statement-I is accurate as the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is indeed known for its diverse flora and fauna, notably the endangered hoolock gibbons. Statement-II is also correct because the sanctuary is recognized as the exclusive habitat for gibbons in India owing to its rich biodiversity, particularly emphasizing the significance of the area for the survival of this endangered primate species. Thus, both statements are correct, and Statement-II aptly elaborates on Statement-I, making option (a) the correct choice.

All three statements given are correct based on the latest data provided by the Global Mangrove Watch (GMW). Here is the detailed justification for each statement:

1. Statement 1: The Global Mangrove Watch has indeed been providing a time series of global mangrove extent maps from 1996 to 2020. This timeline offers a comprehensive overview of the changes in mangrove cover over the years.

2. Statement 2: The fourth version (GMW v4.0) released in 2024 estimates a global mangrove extent of 147,256 km². This figure is consistent with the earlier versions but includes more detailed changes at higher resolutions.

3. Statement 3: Southeast Asia, particularly noted for its extensive mangrove ecosystems, contains nearly 50,000 km² of mangrove cover. This represents about one-third of the global total, with Indonesia alone accounting for 21% of the world's mangroves.

Thus, all the statements are accurate, making Option D: 1, 2 and 3 the correct answer.

World Biofuel Day, celebrated on August 10th annually, primarily aims to raise awareness about the significance of biofuels as a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuels. It serves as a platform to educate the public and policymakers about the benefits of biofuels, encouraging the adoption of cleaner energy solutions. By focusing on biofuels, this day emphasizes the need to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources and mitigate climate change impacts.

The main objective of Project Tiger, launched in 1973 by the Indian government, is to enhance tiger conservation efforts and protect tigers from the threat of extinction. This initiative aims to safeguard the habitats of tigers and curb issues like poaching to ensure the sustainability of the tiger population in India.

1. Mangrove Extent (GMW v4.0): Southeast Asia - 50,000 km²

- This statement is correctly matched. Southeast Asia contains nearly 50,000 km² of mangrove cover.

2. Northernmost Mangroves: St. George's Island, Bermuda - Latitude 32.36°

- This statement is correctly matched. The northernmost mangroves are indeed found on St. George's Island in Bermuda at latitude 32.36°.

3. Mangrove Species Classification: IUCN Mangrove Specialist Group - Establishing definitive list

- This statement is correctly matched. The IUCN Mangrove Specialist Group is working to establish a definitive list of mangrove species.

4. Threatened Mangrove Provinces: Southeast Asia - 50% of global mangrove area

- This statement is incorrectly matched. While Southeast Asia has significant mangrove coverage, the report mentions that 18 mangrove provinces representing about 50% of global mangrove area are threatened, not specifically Southeast Asia alone.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I correctly describes the geographical extent of the Aravalli Range, mentioning its passage through Gujarat to Delhi via Rajasthan with a width varying from 10 to 120 km. Statement-II provides accurate information by stating that Gurusikhar, situated in Rajasthan, is the highest peak of the Aravallis, towering at 1,722 meters. Statement-II complements Statement-I by offering additional detail regarding a significant peak in the Aravalli Range, thereby explaining and enhancing the understanding provided in Statement-I.

1. Ground-level Ozone Exceedance in Delhi-NCR (2023) - 176 days: Correct. The study mentions that Delhi-NCR experienced 176 days of ground-level ozone exceedance from January 1 to July 18, 2023.

2. Ground-level Ozone Exceedance in Mumbai (2023) - 138 days: Correct. According to the study, Mumbai recorded 138 days of ground-level ozone exceedance from January 1 to July 18, 2023.

3. Ground-level Ozone Standard for Eight Hours - 180 µg/m³: Incorrect. The established standard for ozone is 100 µg/m³ over eight hours, not 180 µg/m³.

4. Biofuel Blending Target in India by 2025 - 20% ethanol: Correct. India's National Biofuels Policy aims for a 20% ethanol blending target by 2025.

Pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while Pair 3 is not. Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.