UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2024: Environment | UPSC Topic Wise Previous Year Questions PDF Download
Q1: Consider the following statements:
- In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
- The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
View AnswerAns: (c)
- Statement 1: Correct. The Nagoya Protocol focuses on fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. In India, Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) play a key role in realizing these objectives, especially in managing local biological resources and ensuring that benefits are shared with the local communities.
- Statement 2: Correct. The BMCs do have the authority to levy collection fees for access to biological resources within their jurisdiction under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Q2: ‘Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?
(a) The International Union for Conservation of Nature
(b) The United Nations Environment Programme
(c) The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development
(d) The World Wide Fund for Nature
View AnswerAns: (a)
The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG), which develops the Global Invasive Species Database, operates under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It works to conserve biodiversity by reducing the threat posed by invasive species.
Q3: Consider the following statements:
Once the Central Government notifies an area as a ‘Community Reserve’
- The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest
- Hunting is not allowed in such area
- People of such areas are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce
- People of such areas are allowed traditional agricultural practices
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
View AnswerAns: (c)
- Statement 1: Incorrect. Once an area is declared as a community reserve, the Community Reserve Management Committee, rather than the Chief Wildlife Warden, is responsible for its governance.
- Statement 2: Correct. Hunting is strictly prohibited in community reserves.
- Statement 3: Correct. People living in such areas can collect non-timber forest produce.
- Statement 4: Correct. Traditional agricultural practices are often allowed, as long as they do not harm the ecosystem.
Q4: Consider the following infrastructure sectors:
- Affordable housing
- Mass rapid transport
- Health care
- Renewable energy
On how many of the above does the UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus on its investments?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
View AnswerAns: (c)
The UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative primarily focuses on three infrastructure sectors:
- Affordable housing
- Renewable energy
- Health care
Mass rapid transport is not a focus area for this initiative.
Q5: Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India.
Statement II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct Statement II is incorrect
(d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
View AnswerAns: (c)
- Statement I: Correct. Marsupials (such as kangaroos and koalas) are not naturally found in India; they are primarily found in Australia and nearby regions.
- Statement II: Incorrect. Marsupials can thrive in various environments, not just montane grasslands, and they are capable of surviving even in the presence of predators.
Q6: Which of the following organisms perform a waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food?
(a) Butterflies
(b) Dragonflies
(c) Honey Bees
(d) Wasps
View AnswerAns: (c)
Honey Bees perform the waggle dance to communicate with others in their hive, indicating the direction and distance of a food source.
Q7: Consider the following statements:
- Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.
- Some mushrooms have psychoactive properties.
- Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.
- Some mushrooms have bio-luminescent properties.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
View AnswerAns: (d)
Mushrooms are known to have all of the following properties:
- Medicinal properties (used in traditional medicine).
- Psychoactive properties (certain mushrooms contain hallucinogenic compounds).
- Insecticidal properties (some mushrooms produce compounds that kill insects).
- Bio-luminescent properties (some mushrooms glow in the dark).
Q8: Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?
(a) Fishing cat
(b) Orangutan
(c) Otter
(d) Sloth bear
View AnswerAns: (b)
Orangutans are known to use sticks as tools to scrape insects from holes in trees or logs.
Q9: Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrels:
- They build nests by making burrows in the ground.
- They store their food materials like nuts and seeds in the ground.
- They are omnivorous.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
View AnswerAns: (a)
- Statement 1: Incorrect. Indian squirrels do not typically build nests by burrowing in the ground; they prefer nesting in tree hollows.
- Statement 2: Correct. They do store food such as nuts and seeds.
- Statement 3: Correct. Indian squirrels are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and small insects.
Q10: Consider the following fauna:
- Lion-tailed Macaque
- Malabar Civet
- Sambar Deer
How many of the above are generally nocturnal or most active after sunset?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
View AnswerAns: (b)
Lion-tailed Macaque: Diurnal (active during the day).
Malabar Civet: Nocturnal.
Sambar Deer: Mostly crepuscular (active during dawn and dusk), but can also be active at night.
Q11: Consider the following:
- Aerosols
- Foam agents
- Fire retardants
- Lubricants
In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocbons used?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
View AnswerAns: (c)
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used in:
- Aerosols
- Foam agents
- Fire retardants
HFCs are not commonly used as lubricants.
Q12: Consider the following activities:
- Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively
- Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime
- Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters
How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
View AnswerAns: (c)
The following activities are discussed as potential methods for carbon capture and sequestration:
- Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands to increase CO₂ absorption.
- Increasing ocean alkalinity by adding lime to absorb more CO₂.
- Injecting captured carbon dioxide into abandoned mines in the form of carbonated water.
Q13: Consider the following statements:
- Carbon fibers are used in the manufacture of components used in automobiles and aircraft.
- Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
View AnswerAns: (a)
- Statement 1: Correct. Carbon fibers are used in manufacturing lightweight, strong components for automobiles and aircraft.
- Statement 2: Incorrect. Carbon fibers can be recycled, although the process can be complex.
Q14: Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:
- Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
- Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
- There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
View AnswerAns: (c)
- Statement 1: Correct. Gold mining activities release mercury into the environment.
- Statement 2: Correct. Coal-based thermal power plants are a significant source of mercury emissions.
- Statement 3: Correct. There is no safe level of exposure to mercury, making it highly toxic even at low concentrations.
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Dec 22, 2024 Last updated |
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