Friday, 17 April 2015

IAS Prelims : GS Environment and Ecology : MCQ Set 4

1. As per tiger census report 2014, the population of tigers in India has increased by

a. 20 %
b. 30 %
c. 40%
d. 50%

Ans: (b)

Explanation: As per tiger census report 2014, the population of tigers in India has increased by 30 %. According to the census, India is home to 70 % of the world’s tigers. Tiger census is carried out after a gap of every three years by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

2. Lantana – know as Phool Lakhri in local parlance, is a shrub found in abundance in Himachal Pradesh.

1. It is a toxic weed and has affected the mountain diversity of the state.
2. Lantana species are widely cultivated for their flowers.
3. It is endemic to India.
4. It is considered as potential fire hazard and it is combustible even when green.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct about it?

a. 1, 2 & 4 only.
b. 2 & 4 only.
c. 1 & 3 only.
d. 1, 2, 3 & 4.

Ans: a

Explanation: Lantana is not endemic to India. It is an invasive species.

3. Which decade has been designated as the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity?

a. 2011-2020
b. 2021-2030
c. 2001-2010
d. 1991-2000

Ans: a

Explanation: At the initiative of Japan, COP10 recommended to the United Nations General Assembly to declare 2011-2020 as the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity. The General Assembly declared the period 2011-2020 as United Nations Decade on Biodiversity to promote the implementation of a strategic plan on biodiversity and its overall vision of living in harmony with nature. Throughout the Decade, governments are encouraged to develop, implement and communicate the results of national strategies for implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity.

4. Consider the following statements

1. The UN General Assembly declared 2014 the International Year of Soils (IYS)
2. The IYS 2015 aims to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions.

Which of the statements given above is/are are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 1 and 2
d. None

Ans: b

Explanation: The 68th UN General Assembly declared 2015 the International Year of Soils (IYS). The IYS 2015 aims to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions.

5. Consider the following statements

1. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is a multilateral treaty to protect plant resources from deforestation arising out of industrialization and urbanization.
2. The treaty is overseen by International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Which of the statements given above is/are are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: d

Explanation: The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is a multilateral treaty for international cooperation and aims to protect plant resources from harmful pests which may be introduced through international trade. The Convention created a governing body consisting of each party, known as the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures, which oversees the implementation of the Convention.

6. Consider the following statements

1. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of mangroves.
2. World Wetlands Day is observed on 2 February.

Which of the statements given above is/are are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: b

Explanation: The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the Convention was signed in 1971. World Wetlands Day is observed on 2 February. World Wetland Day marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971.

7. Consider the following statements

1. The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranks how well countries perform on high-priority environmental issues in two broad policy areas: protection of human health from environmental harm and protection of ecosystems.
2. In the 2014 EPI ranking, China topped the list.

Which of the statements given above is/are are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both
d. None

Ans: a

Explanation: The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranks how well countries perform on high-priority environmental issues in two broad policy areas: protection of human health from environmental harm and protection of ecosystems. . In the 2014 EPI ranking, Switzerland topped the list.

8. Which of the following statements about Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is incorrect?

a. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India is a statutory organization.
b. It comes under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
c. It Co-ordinate the activities of the State Boards by providing technical assistance.
d. The board is led by its chairman, who must be a retired judge of the Supreme Court.

Ans: d

Explanation: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). It Co-ordinate the activities of the State Boards by providing technical assistance and guidance and resolve disputes among them. There is no such requirement for the chairman of CPCB to be a retired judge of the Supreme Court.

9. Consider the following animals found in India

1. Namdapha flying squirrel
2. Pygmy hog
3. Nicobar White-tailed Shrew

Which of the animals given above is/are critically endangered?

a. 1 and 2
b. 2 and 3
c. 3 and 4
d. 1, 2 and 3

Ans: d

Explanation: All the given mammals are critically endangered according to the Red Data Book of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

10. The Red Panda has been classified as vulnerable by IUCN. It is endemic to

a. Eastern Himalayas
b. Western Himalayas
c. Nicobar Islands
d. Nilgiri Hills

Ans: a

Explanation: The Red Panda, also called lesser panda and red cat-bear, is a small arboreal mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and south-western China. It has been classified as vulnerable by IUCN. The primary threats to red pandas are from competition with domestic livestock resulting in habitat degradation, and deforestation resulting in habitat loss or fragmentation

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