Prelims Questions: Biodiversity | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements:  (2025)
I. It is an omnivorous crustacean. 
II. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas. 
III. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) I and III
(c) II only
(d) II and III

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Correct Answer: (d)

The Peacock tarantula, also known as the Gooty tarantula, is a rare, tree-dwelling spider native to specific forest regions in India.

• Statement I is false: The Peacock tarantula is an arachnid (spider), not an omnivorous crustacean.
• Statement II is true: Its habitat is limited to certain forest areas in the Eastern Ghats of India.
• Statement III is true: It is an arboreal species, residing in trees and tree crevices.

Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Q2: Consider the following:  (2025)
I. Cigarette butts 
II. Eyeglass lenses 
III. Car tyres
How many of them contain plastic?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None

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​Correct Answer: (c)

• Statement I is correct: Cigarette butts have filters made of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic.
• Statement II is correct: Eyeglass lenses are typically made from polycarbonate or CR-39, both plastic materials, rather than glass.
• Statement III is correct: Car tires include synthetic rubber, which contains plastic-based polymers.

Thus, all three items—cigarette butts, eyeglass lenses, and car tires—contain hidden plastics, confirming that the correct answer is that all statements are true.

Q3: Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?  (2025)
(a) The European Union
(b) The World Bank
(c) The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(d) The Food and Agriculture Organization

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​​Correct Answer: (a)
​A. The European Union: The Nature Restoration Law (NRL), adopted in 2024, is an EU law that establishes mandatory targets for ecosystem restoration, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity protection across EU member states. Correct.
B. The World Bank: This international financial institution provides loans and grants but does not have the authority to enact legislation like the NRL. Incorrect.
C. OECD: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development focuses on economic cooperation and policy coordination, not on enacting binding environmental laws like the NRL. Incorrect.
D. FAO: The Food and Agriculture Organization, a UN agency, concentrates on addressing hunger and agricultural issues and does not enact regional legislation like the NRL. Incorrect.
Thus, the correct answer is A.

Q4: Due to improper/indiscriminate disposal of hold and used computers or their parts, which of the following are released into the environment as e-waste? (2013)
1. Beryllium
2. Cadmium
3. Chromium
4. Heptachlor
5. Mercury
6. Lead
7. Plutonium

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
(b) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 only
(c) 2, 4, 5 and 7 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

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Correct Answer: (b)

 

Q5: Improper handling and storage of cereal grains and oilseeds result in the production of toxins known as aflatoxins which are not generally destroyed by normal cooking process. Aflatoxins are produced by:(2013)
(a) bacteria
(b) protozoa
(c) moulds
(d) viruses

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Correct Answer: (c)

Q6: Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area? (2012)
1. Global warming
2. Fragmentation of habitat
3. Invasion of alien species
4. Promotion of vegetarianism
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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Correct Answer: (d)

Q7: Consider the following statements: (2012)
 Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone-depleting substances, are used
1. In the production of plastic foams.
2. In the production of tubeless tyres.
3. In cleaning certain electronic components.
4. As pressurizing agents in aerosol cans.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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Correct Answer: (c)

Q8: Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in the following ways: (2011)
1. Soil formation
2. Prevention of soil erosion
3. Recycling of waste
4. Pollination of crops

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2 3 and 4

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Correct Answer: (d)

Q9: Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats-Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity: (2011)
1. Species richness
2. Vegetation density
3. Endemism
4. Ethno-botanical importance
5. Threat perception
6. Adaptation of flora and fauna to warm and humid conditions

Which three of the above are correct criteria in this context?
(a) 1 2 and 6
(b) 2, 4 and 6
(c) 1, 3 and 5
(d) 3, 4 and 6

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Correct Answer: (c)

Q10: Which one of the following is not a site for in-situ method of conservation of flora? (2011)
(a) Biosphere Reserve
(b) Botanical Garden
(c) National Park
(d) Wildlife Sanctuary

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Correct Answer: (b)

Q11: Consider the following statements: (2011)
1. Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes.
2. Along the mountain gradients, biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitudes.

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

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Correct Answer: (c)

Q12: In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass? (2012)
(a) Biosphere Reserves
(b) National Parks
(c) Wetlands declared under Ramsar Convention
(d) Wildlife Sanctuaries

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Correct Answer: (b)

Q13: Sustainable development is described as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this perspective, inherently the concept of sustainable development is intertwined with which of the following concepts? (2010)
(a) Social justice and empowerment
(b) Inclusive Growth
(c) Globalization
(d) Carrying capacity

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Correct Answer: (d)
The carrying capacity of a biological species in environment is the population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water and other necessities available in the environment. For the human population, more complex variables such as sanitation and medical care are sometimes considered as part of the necessary establishment. Thus Sustainable development is intertwined with Carrying capacity.

Q14: Consider the following regions: (2009)
1. Eastern Himalayas
2. Eastern Mediterranean region
3. North-western Australia

Which of the above is/are Biodiversity Hotspot(s)?
(a) 1 only 
(b) 1 and 2 only 
(c) 2 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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Correct Answer: (b)

Q15: Consider the following statements regarding environmental issues of India: (2001)
1. Gulf of Mannar is one of the biosphere reserves.
2. The Ganga Action Plan, phase II has been merged with the National River Conservation Plan.
3. The National Museum of Natural History at New Delhi imparts non-formal education in environment and conservation.
4. Environmental Information System (ENVIS) acts as a decentralized information network for environmental information.

Which of these statements are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1, 3 and 4

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Correct Answer: (b)