Test: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources - 2 - UPSC MCQ

It is carbon dioxide that is produced as a combustion of fuels and from the chimneys of factories that surrounds the atmosphere and acts as green house gas.

To pick the right combination of terms that has no fossil fuel, we need to carefully analyze the given options. Let's evaluate each option and identify the presence of fossil fuel in them:
Option A:
- Wind: No fossil fuel
- Ocean: No fossil fuel
- Coal: Fossil fuel
Option B:
- Kerosene: Fossil fuel
- Wind: No fossil fuel
- Tide: No fossil fuel
Option C:
- Wind: No fossil fuel
- Wood: No fossil fuel
- Sun: No fossil fuel
Option D:
- Petroleum: Fossil fuel
- Wood: No fossil fuel
- Sun: No fossil fuel
From the given options, it is clear that Option C (Wind, wood, sun) is the correct combination that has no fossil fuel. It consists of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, along with wood which is a biomass fuel.
Therefore, the answer is Option C as it is the only combination without any fossil fuel.

Forests act as speed breakers in the flow of flood water

Ground water will not be depleted due to:
There are several factors that can help prevent the depletion of ground water. Here is a detailed explanation of why ground water will not be depleted due to the given options:
Afforestation:
- Afforestation refers to the process of planting trees and creating forests in areas where there were none.
- This helps in increasing the overall vegetation cover and contributes to the conservation of ground water.
- Trees play a crucial role in regulating the water cycle by absorbing and releasing water through their roots and leaves.
- The roots of trees also help in improving soil structure, which allows for better water infiltration and reduces surface runoff.
- Therefore, afforestation can help in recharging ground water and preventing its depletion.
Thermal power plants:
- Thermal power plants, which use water for cooling purposes, can have an impact on ground water resources.
- However, the depletion of ground water due to thermal power plants can be minimized through proper water management practices.
- Implementing technologies like closed-loop cooling systems, which minimize water consumption, can help reduce the impact on ground water resources.
- Additionally, recycling and reusing water within the power plant can further reduce the demand for fresh water and minimize depletion.
Loss of forest and decreased rainfall:
- Loss of forest cover and decreased rainfall can have negative effects on ground water resources.
- Forests play a crucial role in capturing and storing rainfall, allowing it to infiltrate into the ground and replenish ground water.
- When forests are lost or rainfall decreases, there is less water available to recharge ground water, leading to its depletion.
- Therefore, the loss of forest cover and decreased rainfall can contribute to the depletion of ground water.
Cropping of high water demanding crops:
- Some crops have high water requirements and can put a strain on ground water resources if not managed properly.
- However, implementing efficient irrigation techniques and water management practices can help minimize the water demand for these crops.
- Techniques like drip irrigation and precision farming can optimize water use and reduce the depletion of ground water.
- Proper crop selection, based on local water availability and suitability, can also help prevent excessive water consumption and depletion of ground water.
In conclusion, ground water can be conserved and its depletion prevented through various measures. Afforestation, proper water management in thermal power plants, conservation of forest cover, increased rainfall, and efficient irrigation techniques can all contribute to the sustainable use of ground water resources.

As per data available, the petroleum resources will last for 40 years.

Explanation:
The abbreviation GAP can have multiple expansions depending on the context. Here are the possible expansions for the given options:
Option A: Governmental Agency for Pollution Control
- This expansion refers to a governmental organization responsible for controlling and regulating pollution.
Option B: Gross Assimilation by Photosynthesis
- This expansion refers to the process of photosynthesis where plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
Option C: Ganga Action Plan
- This expansion refers to a comprehensive plan launched by the Indian government to clean and restore the river Ganges, also known as the Ganga.
Option D: Governmental Agency for Animal Protection
- This expansion refers to a governmental organization responsible for the protection and welfare of animals.
Answer: C: Ganga Action Plan

Recycling requires energy. Reuse means using the same thing again and again.

Explanation:
The practice of clearing vast tracts of forests and cultivating a single species of plant promotes monoculture in the area. Here's a detailed explanation:
1. Monoculture:
- Monoculture refers to the cultivation of a single type of plant over a large area.
- In this practice, forests are cleared, and only one species of plant is cultivated.
- This results in a lack of biodiversity and a dominance of a single plant species in the area.
2. Lack of Biodiversity:
- Biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal species present in an ecosystem.
- Clearing forests and replacing them with a single species of plant reduces the overall biodiversity in the area.
- This is because other plant and animal species that were dependent on the natural forest habitat may not be able to survive in the monoculture environment.
3. Negative Impact on Ecosystem:
- Monoculture disrupts the natural balance of the ecosystem.
- It can lead to the loss of habitat for many native species, as they are unable to adapt to the monoculture environment.
- The absence of different plant species also affects the availability of food and resources for animals, further impacting the ecosystem.
4. Environmental Risks:
- Monoculture can increase the vulnerability of crops to pests, diseases, and climate change.
- With a lack of biodiversity, there is a higher risk of pests and diseases spreading rapidly and causing significant damage to the cultivated plant species.
- Climate change can also have a more severe impact on monocultures, as they lack the resilience provided by diverse plant species.
In conclusion, the practice of clearing forests and cultivating a single species of plant promotes monoculture in the area, which has negative implications for biodiversity, the ecosystem, and environmental resilience.

Forests are dwindling most rapidly.

Sustainable Development

• Planned growth with minimum damage to the environment: This statement correctly describes the concept of sustainable development. It emphasizes the need for development to be planned in a way that minimizes damage to the environment.


• Growth irrespective of the extent of damage caused to the environment: This statement does not describe sustainable development. Sustainable development aims to balance economic growth with environmental conservation.


• Stopping all developmental work to conserve the environment: This statement does not describe sustainable development. Sustainable development seeks to find a balance between development and environmental conservation, rather than stopping all developmental work.


• Growth that is acceptable to all the stakeholders: This statement correctly describes the concept of sustainable development. It emphasizes the importance of considering the interests and needs of all stakeholders, including the environment, society, and the economy.

Therefore, the correct statements that describe the concept of sustainable development are (i) Planned growth with minimum damage to the environment and (iv) Growth that is acceptable to all the stakeholders.

Unburnt corpses (putrefied dead bodies) is the main cause for abundant coliform bacteria.

Answer:
To determine which item is not a natural resource, we need to understand the definition of a natural resource. Natural resources are materials or substances that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain. They are typically obtained from the Earth, the atmosphere, or the ocean.
The list given includes the following items:
- Soil: Soil is a natural resource as it is formed by the weathering of rocks and minerals and plays a vital role in supporting plant growth and agriculture.
- Water: Water is also a natural resource as it is found in rivers, lakes, and oceans and is essential for various purposes such as drinking, irrigation, and industrial use.
- Electricity: Electricity is not a natural resource. It is a form of energy that is generated using different natural resources such as coal, oil, natural gas, water, wind, or solar power. While the sources used to generate electricity are natural resources, electricity itself is a man-made product.
- Air: Air is a natural resource as it consists of various gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and others, that are necessary for supporting life on Earth.
Therefore, the item that is not a natural resource is Electricity.

Lead battery contains lead and sulphuric acid as its components. The acid contaminates river water lowering the pH from 7 to 3.5 - 4.5.

Answer:
The use of forests is diverse and provides numerous benefits to society and the environment. However, one of the following options is not an actual use of forests. Let's analyze each option in detail:
A: Controls floods
Forests play a crucial role in controlling floods by absorbing excess water and reducing runoff. The roots of trees help to stabilize soil, preventing erosion and maintaining the water-holding capacity of the land.
B: Used to make paper
Forests are commonly used as a source of raw material for the production of paper. Trees are harvested and processed to obtain pulp, which is then used in the papermaking industry.
C: Causes soil erosion
This statement is incorrect. Forests actually help prevent soil erosion due to their dense vegetation and root systems that hold the soil in place, reducing the risk of erosion caused by wind or water.
D: Resin, gum, and drugs are obtained
Forests are a valuable source of various natural products. Resin and gum are obtained from certain tree species and are used in a variety of industries. Additionally, forests may contain medicinal plants that can be used to produce drugs.
Therefore, the correct answer is C: Causes soil erosion as it does not accurately represent the benefits and uses of forests.

Natural resource is a gift of nature which is very useful to mankind.

Surangams are the water management system used to provide the water supply for irrigation and human settlements in Kerala and southern districts of karnataka. The word " Surangam" has been derived from the Hindi word "surang" Which means tunnel. 

Statements (i), (ii) and (iii) are correct.

As per the option (b),( c), (d) , these water harvesting concept, yet not there in Madhya Pradesh by leaving the Option ( a) Bundhis. Ponds are located in the Jammu  region, Bandharas are located in Maharashtra, and Nadis in Rajasthan. Bundhis is the very old water harvesting concept in Madhya Pradesh as leaving the options b, c, and, d. 

pH range of 6.5 - 7.5 (neither acidic nor basic) is most conducive for the life of fresh water plants and animals.

Canals that brought about greenery in Rajasthan:

• Rajiv Gandhi Canal:




• This canal did not bring about greenery in Rajasthan.




• Indira Gandhi Canal:




• This canal played a significant role in bringing greenery to Rajasthan.


• It is the longest canal in India and has been instrumental in transforming the arid regions of Rajasthan into fertile agricultural lands.


• The canal provides water for irrigation to numerous districts and has helped in increasing agricultural productivity.




• Jawaharlal Canal:




• There is no canal named Jawaharlal Canal in Rajasthan.




• Mahatma Gandhi Canal:




• This canal does not exist in Rajasthan.

Therefore, the correct answer is Indira Gandhi Canal (Option B) as it has been responsible for bringing about greenery in Rajasthan.