Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia, also called the ‘Raptor MOU‘ with the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS).

• With the signing of this MOU, India will become the 54th signatory to the MOU.

About Raptor MoU:

• The Raptor MOU is an agreement under the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) and is not legally binding.
• The MOU seeks willingness of the signatory Range States for working for conservation of the raptor species and their habitats. Under this, an action plan has been formulated which primarily envisages the conservation action for Raptor species.
• The Raptors MoU extends its coverage to 76 species of birds of prey out of which 46 species including vultures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites, harriers, etc. also occur in India.
• Raptor MOU was concluded on in October 2008 and came into effect on 1st November 2008.
• India’s neighbours Pakistan and Nepal are also signatories to this MOU.

Benefits for India:

Considering that the Raptor MOU is also in conformity with the provisions of the existing Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, wherein the birds have been accorded protection, India would gain domain knowledge which would be helpful in effectively managing the habitats of these Raptors, including concerted trans-boundary efforts for conservation through interaction with other range countries by signing of the MOU with the CMS.

The CMS or Bonn Convention, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to conserve migratory species throughout their range. India had become a party to the CMS since 1st November 1983.

sources: pib.

Pollution: particulate matter in India higher than WHO limit

In 2010, air pollution killed nearly 600,000 people in India, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The situation has not changed in the last five years. A recent study shows that a significant population of Indian subcontinent breathes air with much higher particulate matter that is lesser than 2.5 micrometre (PM2.5) in size than the limit set by the WHO. Outdoor air pollution as a whole, especially the particulate matter, has been declared as class-1 cancer-causing agent (carcinogen) in 2013 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the WHO. Besides, it causes other respiratory and heart diseases.

The PM2.5 is particularly dangerous and can cause adverse health effects owing to its greater penetrability into the human respiratory system and eventual accumulation in human organs and blood. Rural women, children and elderly population are more prone to diseases caused by air pollution. Rural women, in particular, face a greater risk from indoor pollution — locally made mud stoves fuelled by solid biofuel emit a far greater amount of finer particulate matter.

Air quality of any area depends on local emissions, long-range transport, local and regional weather patterns, and to some extent the topography of the region. Due to increased buoyancy and efficient ventilation in summer, pollution plumes rise effortlessly to the free atmosphere. This leads to a reduced level of surface level PM2.5 concentration in our breathing zone. The problem gets aggravated during winter. Adverse conditions during winter help trapping of pollution leading to elevated level of surface PM concentration.

Compared with peninsular India and coastal regions, the situation is far worse in the Gangetic Basin, especially during winter months. The Himalayas act as a barrier to dissipation of pollution plumes emanating from the cities located in the Basin. As a result, cities in the Basin are more prone to sustained bad air quality.

Evidence is emerging that shows a strong positive relationship between increased pollution levels and occurrence of dense fog episodes. This clearly demands far more stringent emission norms in the cities located in GB if we have to achieve air quality to prescribed National Index. Although water is acknowledged as a precious resource, the air that we breathe is still not given a similar importance. It is time that an Air Resource Board be created, to begin with in a specific affected region of the country, which is equipped with larger and well-trained staff, technologists and legal aids, and has advanced monitoring stations — stationary and mobile — under it.

The state of California was infamous for its worst air quality in the U.S. in early 1950s due to large emissions and valley-like topography that allows trapping of pollution. However, with science-based policies, appropriate technologies and strict regulations, residents of California enjoy better air quality today despite a steady growth in transportation sector and continued industrialisation.

The State made effective use of diesel particulate filter (DPF) that does not allow emission of PM2.5 into environment in vehicular exhaust system. Refineries were augmented to produce low-sulphur fuel, a necessity for DRF installation. Recent epidemiological studies show reduced mortality and hospital admittance due to air pollution. The level of soot (therefore PM2.5) in California has reduced drastically over the last three decades, as a recent study reveals.

India has begun taking steps in the right direction. The National Air Quality index, introduced recently, has created greater awareness of air pollution amongst the people. Recently, plying of diesel vehicles older than 10 years has also been prohibited.

But the situation demands more action in order to restore good air quality and clear visibility. The economic gain due to avoidable loss of human life is too huge to be ignored. Technical intervention through efficient cooking stoves can significantly improve the lives of rural women. Improved power situation, especially in cold days, together with better handling of municipal waste and trash, can also help in achieving better air quality in the cities. Securing clean air, without compromising development, is achievable and sustainable. Environment protection is a challenge that has to be addressed more comprehensively.

Central Pollution Control Board can be divested into various regional air boards that will be responsible for securing the environment in a more proactive manner. If mandatory, more laws need to be enacted and strictly enforced to accomplish these goals.

Emissions from biomass burning cross the Himalayas

The organic acids present in the aerosols serve as a unique fingerprint in identifying the source of pollution.
Contrary to the general assumption that the southern slopes of the Himalayas act as a barrier and effectively block the transportation of pollutants from India and other parts of South Asia, a study published a couple of days ago in the Nature Group journal Scientific Reports finds sound evidence to prove otherwise.
Aerosols have been found to rise and cross the entire range of the Himalayas. So much so that studies conducted in the northern slope of the Himalayas at an elevation of 4,276 metres above MSL could find markers distinctive of pollution arising from India and other regions of South Asia.
Local meteorological conditions and regional atmospheric flow process have been the two major factors enabling the pollutants to cross over, notes Zhiyuan Cong, the first author of the paper from the Institute of Tibetan Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.
The culprit

The organic acids present in the aerosols serve as a unique fingerprint in identifying the source of pollution. In this case, the dicarboxylic acids served as a fingerprint.
Though dicarboxylic acids can be produced by biomass burning, vehicular exhausts and cooking (primary source), as well as atmospheric photooxidation (secondary source), the researchers were able to pinpoint the source as biomass burning.
Levoglucosan is a specific marker of biomass burning — it is “produced through the pyrolysis of cellulose during the combustion process,” Dr. Cong notes. Another unique marker of biomass burning is the water-soluble potassium. Both the markers showed strong positive correlation with dicarboxylic acids thereby confirming biomass burning as the source of pollution.
Though the pollutants were found to reach the northern slopes of the Himalayas during all the seasons — pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter seasons — the amount of aerosol found peaked during pre-monsoon. This, according to them, is one more indicator of biomass burning as the source.
Agricultural burning and forest fires along the southern Himalayan foothills and the Indo-Gangetic Plain reach a high during the pre-monsoon period. That probably is the reason why the amount of biomass burning marker found peaked during the pre-monsoon time.
Dr. Cong attributes the local topographic relief of the Himalayas as playing an important role in allowing the pollutants to cross the mountains and reach the northern slopes.
The up-valley wind during daytime, being maximum in the afternoon, helps in pushing the pollutants to higher altitude. On the northern slopes, a down-valley wind is prevalent during the same time. The combination of the up-valley wind in the southern slopes and down-valley wind in the northern slopes allows the accumulation of aerosol on the glacier surfaces.
“Acting as efficient channels of south-to-north air flow, the mountain valleys could allow the air pollutants to easily penetrate throughout the Himalayas,” the authors write.
“Regardless of where the pollutants come from, the study has provided compelling evidence that they are due to biomass burning. We must step up the global effort to drastically cut down biomass burning as much as we can,” Veerabhadran Ramanathan, an atmospheric scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, who is unconnected with the study, told Nature.

India Seeks ‘Differentiated Responsibility’ at Washington DC Climate Change Meet

With the Paris Meet 8 months away to decide the global approach to climate change and resolution to who should foot the carbon tax bill, a 2-day World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting on climate change is being held in Washington with 17 ministers, including India.

Indian environment minister Prakash Javadekar ahead of the meeting said, “Developed world would now have to walk the talk and will have to provide green climate fund to the developing world.” India may even bring into focus a successful and balanced agreement to address climate change.

India has announced its “Common but Differentiated Responsibility” approach to global climate change and seeks the developed world to pay the developing world or poorer nations like India and defer the carbon tax model by some time.

Hosted by the US, the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, is expected to discuss future climate plans, or intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs). Besides, the transfer of technology and funds from the rich to the emerging nations will be focused by India at the meeting, said the minister.

The two-day Washington DC meeting provides all the 17 countries to focus on different approaches and reach a consensus or compromise before the beginning of the UN climate change meet scheduled to be held in Paris in December.

Besides India, French foreign minister Laurent Fabius and Peru’s environment minister Manuel Pugal Vidal, are participating at the meeting.

Opening the session on Sunday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon siad, “This year’s annual Spring meetings come at a critical moment. 2015 is our year to set the world on course to a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

He sought a “realistic” trajectory to mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020 that was pledged by developed countries in 2009 – with resources above and beyond official development assistance (ODA).

The UN Green Climate Fund has to be “up and running” – with projects and funding ready to go, which means at least half of the pledged contributions have to be in by October.

Supreme Court rejects plea against NGT's order to ban 15-yr-old vehicles

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea against an order of the National Green Tribunal banning all vehicles which are more than 15 years old from plying on Delhi roads. "Let us assist them (NGT) and not discourage them," a bench of Chief Justice HL Dattu and Justice Arun Mishra said while dismissing a plea filed by a lawyer seeking setting aside of the decision of the green panel.

The bench further said the NGT was "only repeating the orders passed by Constitutional courts (SC/HCs) in the past." "All vehicles, diesel or petrol, which are more than 15 years old shall not be permitted to ply on the roads and wherever such vehicles of this age are noticed, the concerned authorities shall take appropriate steps in accordance with law including seizure of the vehicles in accordance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act. "The vehicles which are more than 15 years old, will not be permitted to be parked in any public area and they shall be towed away and challenged by the police in accordance with law. This direction would be applicable to all vehicles without exception i.e. two wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers, light vehicles and heavy vehicles irrespective of whether commercial or otherwise," the NGT, in its November 26, 2014 order, had said.

Lawyer Vishaal Shripati Jogdand challenged the order in the apex court on various grounds including that the NGT had no jurisdiction to hear a case which was of the nature of a public interest litigation. "Instead of age of the vehicles, the fitness of the vehicles can be and should be the criteria from stopping them from plying on roads," Debasis Misra, appearing for Jogdand, said.

Even bringing CNG in 1997-98, did not result in reduction of air pollution and hence, an investigation be undertaken to find out the reasons for it, he said. The bench, however, was not inclined to hear the plea in detail and dismissed it after a brief hearing.

Earlier, the NGT, besides banning 15-year-old diesel and petrol vehicles, had also said that no person shall be permitted to burn plastic or any other material in the open.The NGT had also said that if any person is found to be burning plastic or any other material including tree leaves in the open, he would be liable to be proceeded against in accordance with law. It had held that in all the markets in Delhi, "it shall be ensured tarred roads for regular traffic are not permitted to be used for parking thus causing avoidable congestion of traffic". It had also directed the Delhi government and others to create a web portal where an aggrieved person can upload the photographs depicting the pollution.

With an aim to reduce vehicular pollution, the NGT had also said, "Immediate steps will be taken by all the Respondents and concerned authorities to provide cycle tracks in Delhi and efforts should be made to encourage cycling in Delhi."

Explained: A Cool Shift (Montreal Protocol ,Climate change

India on Thursday submitted its proposal for amending the Montreal Protocol to bring HFCs within its ambit. It was seen as a major climbdown for India, which till recently had been opposing the push for including HFCs in the Montreal Protocol.
What are HFCs?
HFCs, or hydrofluorocarbons, compounds of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon, are gases that are commonly used as refrigerants and coolants in refrigerators and air-conditioners, in fire extinguishers, furniture making, as solvents for cleaning, and other purposes. Nineteen of these HFCs are used in different kinds of appliances.
What is the Montreal Protocol?
Montreal Protocol, which came into being in 1987, seeks to eliminate production and use of ozone-depleting
substances, mainly CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons). CFCs and later HCFCs were being used for everything that HFCs are used now for, but it was found that these were depleting the ozone layer, which protects life on earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. As CFCs and HCFCs started being phased out, HFCs, which are harmless to the ozone layer, started replacing them.
So what is the problem with HFCs now?
HFCs have a greenhouse gas effect, just like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), and contribute to global warming. In fact, the global warming potential of some HFCs are thousands of times more than carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas. One particular HFC, called HFC-23 (chemically CHF3), which is used in very low temperature refrigeration and fire control, is known to have about 12,000 times more global warming potential than CO2. So while the HFCs solved one problem, they created another.
How does the world want to deal with this problem?
There is a general agreement that HFCs must be phased out, just like CFCs and HCFCs. Some countries, like India, wanted it to happen through the international climate change regime, under Kyoto Protocol, as is the case for other greenhouse gases. However, developed countries wanted HFCs to be put under the Montreal Protocol, considering the urgency of the problem. Montreal Protocol is considered to be a highly successful mechanism, having already eliminated the most dangerous of CFCs in just about two decades. But the Montreal Protocol would need to be amended because currently its specific mandate is to phase out “ozone-depleting” substances which HFCs are not.
Why didn’t India want to put HFCs under Montreal Protocol?
On the face of it, India’s objection was procedural. Montreal Protocol deals with ozone-depleting substances, which HFCs are not. These are greenhouse gases and are already listed amongst those that need to be progressively reduced under the Kyoto Protocol that seeks to control emissions of greenhouse gases. India’s argument was that there was no need to change this arrangement. Behind this argument, however, were practical considerations. The Montreal Protocol is legally binding on all its signatories. That means each of the 190-plus countries would have to mandatorily phase
out HFCs if the amendment is carried through. The Kyoto Protocol, on the other hand, puts “differentiated responsibility” on developed and developing countries to cut down greenhouse gas emissions. If HFCs continue to remain under the Kyoto Protocol, only the rich and industrialised countries, a group of about 40 nations in the current climate change regime, would be legally bound to phase them out. The others, including India and China, are not mandated to reduce their emissions, but if they do cut down on HFCs, they can claim ‘carbon credits’ and sell them in the carbon market to earn revenues.
So, what explains India’s change of mind?
The turnaround has been been in the making for at least two years now. The declaration that emerged out of the St Petersburg G-20 summit in September 2013, talked about “using the expertise and the institutions of the Montreal Protocol to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)”. India was party to that declaration. A year later, almost the exact language was used in the joint statement after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama in Washington. When Obama came visiting in January, the joint statement said the “President and Prime Minister reaffirmed their prior understanding from September 2014 concerning the phase-down of HFCs and agreed to cooperate on making concrete progress in the Montreal Protocol this year”.
Instead of just agreeing to the amendment, India has tried to be proactive by putting forward its own proposal. India has not spelt out the reasons for changing its stand, but some things are obvious. Carbon markets are no longer lucrative and the global architecture on climate change is slated to be significantly altered later this year. India has also demanded establishment of a finance mechanism wherein the developing countries can claim compensation for the costs of converting chemical plants to adopt new technologies.
What else is in India’s proposal?
India has asked for a 15-year grace period for developing countries to phase out HFCs and shift to newer technologies. That means whatever deadline is fixed for developed countries (the likely year is 2035 to reach 15 per cent of the current levels), developing countries should get another 15 years. Most countries are agreeable to this demand.
Do alternatives to HFCs exist?
Yes, though there are no single set of compounds that can replace the HFCs. The European Union is already said to have been using cleaner alternatives in almost 90 per cent of its refrigerators and 25 per cent of its industrial air
conditioners.

India fifth biggest generator of e-waste in 2014: U.N. report

India is the fifth biggest producer of e-waste in the world, discarding 1.7 million tonnes (Mt) of electronic and electrical equipment in 2014, a UN report has warned that the volume of global e-waste is likely to rise by 21 per cent in next three years.
The ‘Global E-Waste Monitor 2014’, compiled by U.N.’s think tank United Nations University (UNU), said at 32 per cent, the U.S. and China produced the most e-waste overall in 2014.
India is behind the U.S., China, Japan and Germany.
Most e-waste in the world in 2014 was generated in Asia at 16 Mt or 3.7 kg per inhabitant. The top three Asian nations with the highest e-waste generation in absolute quantities are China (6.0 Mt), Japan (2.2 Mt) and India (1.7 Mt).
The top per capita producers by far are the wealthy nations of northern and western Europe, the top five being Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Denmark, and the U.K.
The lowest amount of e-waste per inhabitant was generated in Africa (1.7 kg/inhabitant). The continent generated 1.9 Mt of e-waste in total.
In 2014, people worldwide discarded all but a small fraction of an estimated 41.8 Mt of electrical and electronic equipment — mostly end-of-life kitchen, laundry and bathroom equipment like microwave ovens, washing machines and dishwashers.
While only 7 per cent of e-waste last year was made up of mobile phones, calculators, personal computers, printers, and small information technology equipment, almost 60 per cent was a mix of large and small equipment used in homes and businesses, such as vacuum cleaners, toasters, electric shavers, video cameras, washing machines, electric stoves, mobile phones, calculators, personal computers, and lamps. — PTI

New species of gecko found(Environment)

Zoologists say Hampi and surrounding areas are potentially rich in biodiversity and needs research to identify new species of smaller creatures.

A new species of the day gecko, a type of lizard usually found in warm climates, has been spotted at the ruins of the World Heritage Site of Hampi in Karnataka. The gecko has been named Cnemaspis adii after a young herpetology researcher from Hyderabad, Aditya Srinivasulu.

The discovery of the gecko and its name were published in the journal Zootaxathis month by researchers Chelmala Srinivasulu, G. Chethan Kumar and Bhargavi Srinivasulu from the zoology wing of Osmania University in Hyderabad.

The lizard belongs to the family of day geckos characterised by round pupils unlike regular geckos which have vertical pupils. The zoologists say Hampi and surrounding areas are potentially rich in biodiversity and not much research has been done to identify new species of smaller vertebrate and invertebrates.

“The discovery is significant because other species of day geckos have been, so far, reported only from the Western Ghats and southern Eastern Ghats in peninsular India. This is the first time that day geckos have been found in the central regions of peninsular India between Eastern and Western Ghats,” lead author Dr. Srinivasulu said.

The trio felt that presence of day geckos between Western and Eastern Ghats is interesting, indicating the need for more efforts to document the biological diversity, understanding habitat conditions, threats and diversity of local species.

The discovery and subsequent validation in Zootaxa did not happen overnight. The new day gecko species was first discovered by Dr. Bhargavi Srinivasulu in 2012 while they were doing research on bats in the Hampi complex.

Later, the zoologists studied the photographs of live animals and researched on known species of day geckos reported from other parts of India, which ultimately confirmed that the specimens belonged to a hitherto undescribed type. They managed to collect three specimens of the lizard that formed the basis of the scientific description of the lizard.

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

IAS Prelims : GS Environment and Ecology : MCQ SET 3

1. Which of following statement is correct about the Annex II countries?

A. Annex II countries are entitled for financial aid from Annex I countries
B. Annex II countries are developed countries and they are supposed to aid financially the developing countries for environmental adaptations
C. Developing countries are part of Annex II
D. All of above statements are correct

Ans: B

2. Consider the statements about the Biosphere, which one is correct?

A. Conserve the diversity of plants, animals and micro organism
B. Conserve the diversity and integrity of animal only
C. Conserve the diversity and integrity of micro organism only
D. All of the above

Ans: A

3. Which of following is part of world network of Biosphere?

A. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
B. Sunderban Biosphere Reserve
C. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
D. All of the above

Ans: D

4. Consider the following statements about the biodiversity hotspot?

I) Norman Mayer is associated with scientists responsible for making the list of biodiversity hotspot
II) These areas are biodiversity rich and species are endemic to this area
III) Biodiversity is under the threat

Which of above the statement is/are true?
A. I
B. I and II
C. I, II and III
D. III

Ans: C

5. Which of following is hotspot in India?

A. Western Ghat
B. Simlipal
C. Sundarban
D. Nanda Devi

Ans: A

6. Which of following is incorrectly matched:

A. Sunderban : West Bengal
B. Simplipal : Tamilnadu
C. Nanda Devi : Uttarakhand
D. Manas : Assam

Ans: B

7. Which of following statement is correct about the wetlands?

A. Ramsar convention is related to wetland
B. Wetland is area where water influences the environment, plant and animal.
C. Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 in Iran
D. All of the above.

Ans: D

8. Consider the following statements about the functions of wetland

I) It stores the flood
II) It recharges the ground water
III) It provides different products such as fish, timber etc

Which of above the statements are true about the function of wetland?

A. I
B. II
C. I,II and III
D. III


Ans: C

9. Which of following statement is correct about the wetland in India?

A. Tso Marari and Chandartal are Glaciated Wetlands
B. Chilka in Odisha is an example of lagoon wetland
C. Loktak lake is oxbow wetland it is in Manipur
D. All of the above

Ans: D

10. Consider the following statements about the Mangrove forests

I) Mangrove trees grow in saline coastal regions
II) Sundarban is world largest mangrove forest
III) Mangrove forest support varieties of life
IV) Andaman and Nicobar island also have mangrove forest

Which of above statements are true or correct?

A. I only
B. II only
C. I, II , III and IV
D. IV only


Ans: C

IAS Prelims : GS Environment and Ecology : MCQ SET 2

Q.1 Which of the following is regarded as the main cause of groundwater contamination?

A. agricultural products
B. landfills
C. septic tanks
D. All of the above main sources of ground water contamination.

Answer: D

Q.2 Chipko Movement occurred in which of following region?

A. Tribal areas of MP
B. Rural area of Rajasthan
C. Tehri Garhwal
D. Darjeeling region

Answer: C


Q.3 Which of following is One of the best solutions to get rid of non-biodegradable wastes is :

A. Recycling waste
B. Burying waste
C. Burning waste
D. All of the above

Answer: A


Q. 4 Which of following is correct statement about the Ozone?

A. Ozone in troposphere is good for breathing
B. Ozone in Troposphere is not good for breathing
C. Ozone is present only in Troposphere.
D. All of the above

Answer: B

Q.5. Consider following statements about the Ozone Hole

I) Ozone formation and destruction keep on happening
II) Ozone destruction rate is higher than its formation rate
III) Ozone destruction rate is equal to the its formation rate

Which of above statement is/ are true?

A. I) only
B. I) and II) Only
C. I) and Iii
D. III Only

Answer: B

Q.6 Earlier there was balance between the formation and destruction of Ozone layer but after the release of varieties of harmful substances into atmosphere, this balance has been disturbed. Now rate of destruction is higher than the rate of formation of Ozone layer which is causing widening of Ozone hole. CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons) is one of the sources responsible for causing hole in Ozone layer, which of following statement is correct about the CFC:

A. CFC is made of Chlorine, fluorine, and carbon
B. CFC is released from Refrigerant, foams in plastic manufacturing, etc
C. Refrigerant is the major source of CFC
D. All of the above

Answer: D


Q.7 Nitrogen Oxide is also held responsible for the depletion of Ozone layer, which of following is source of Nitrogen Oxide?

A. Industrial emission
B. Fertilizers which are used in agricultural activities
C. Thermonuclear weapons
D. All of the above

Answer: D

Q.8 Which of following is green house gas?

A. Carbon dioxide
B. Methane
C. CFC
D. All of the above

Answer: D

Q.9 What is/are possible impacts of global warming?

A. Temperature is rising
B. Sea level would rise further
C. Major areas of land shall be flooded
D. All of the above

Answer: D

Q.10 Which of following statement is correct about the intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?

A. IPCC was established in 1988
B. IPCC does not evaluate the risk of climate change on human
C. IPCC published its first report in 1989
D. All of the above Answer: A

IAS Prelims 2015: GS Environment and Ecology: MCQ Set I

Environment and Ecology has become indispensable for IAS Prelims Exam. Candidates cannot dispense with this section. In future also Importance of Environment and Ecology cannot be underestimated. Following are some MCQs that would help candidates to understand the kinds of questions they are going to face from Environment and Ecology section in IAS Prelims Exam:-

1. Which of following statement is true about the Ecotone?
a. It is meeting place of two different eco systems
b. It is meeting place of two same eco systems
c. Density of species is very low here
d. All of the above.

Ans: a

Explanation: Ecotone is a place where two different eco systems meet each other. Mangrove and terrestrial eco system is an example of Ecotone. This area is very rich is in species.

2. Consider following statement about the estuary
I) Estuary is place where the river fresh waster meets with ocean water
II) This area is highly productive
III) This area is highly unproductive
IV) All of the above
Which of above the statements is/are true?
a. I) only
b. II) only
c. I) and II)
d. III)

Ans: c

Explanation: Estuary is place where the river or stream fresh water meets with ocean water. And this place provides the conducive conditions for development of different species.

3. Which of following statement is incorrect about the Biosphere?
a. Biosphere is combination of lithosphere, hydrosphere and Atmosphere
b. Biosphere is missing at extreme of north and south pole
c. Organisms are uniformly present in Biosphere
d. All of the above

Ans: c

Explanation: Biosphere is combination of lithosphere, hydrosphere and Atmosphere. Biosphere is not found everywhere some areas do not support the conditions required for Biosphere. Hence Organisms are not uniformly distributed throughout the world.

4. What is the carbon credit?
a. It is the difference between the carbon emission allowed and actually emitted carbon
b. It is the loan amount by IMF for reducing pollution
c. It is loan given to poor people for buying Modern Stoves
d. All of the above
Ans: a

Explanation: Carbon credit shows that country or any entity emit the carbon below the limit prescribed by the government, hence country or entity can sell it in Exchange where carbon credits are traded.

5. What is the meaning of coral bleaching?
a. Paling of coral color or decline in zooxanthellae due to climate change
b. Impacts of excessive sea trade on fishing industry
c. Both a and b
d. None of the above

Ans: a

Explanation: Coral Bleaching is being caused by the climate change. Increase in surface temperature of ocean due to climate change is increasing the decline of zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae is responsible for photosynthesis.

6. Relative contributions of CO2, CH4, CFCs and N2O towards global warming are:
a. 50 %, 30 %, 10 % , and 10 % respectively
b. 60%, 20%, 14%, and 6% respectively
c. 40 %, 30%, 20% and 10% respectively
d. None of the above

Ans: b

Explanation: CO2 is largest contributor towards global warming.


7. Which of following can be used for controlling Gaseous Pollutant?
a. Arrestor
b. Incineration
c. Absorption
d. None of above

Ans: c

Explanation: Absorption technique is used for controlling Gaseous pollutant. These pollutants are brought into contact with liquid such as water. It may either become solvent or capture it through the chemical reaction.

8. What does the high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) indicates?
a. High level of Microbial Pollution
b. Low level of Microbial Pollution
c. Absence of Microbial Pollution
d. Water is fully pure

Ans: a

Explanation: Oxygen is demanded for decomposition related activities under the water. Increase in waste and pollution enhances the decomposition activities and thereby reduces the availability of oxygen for other organic activities under the water body.

9. What percent of area in the plain should be under forest?
a. 21 %
b. 25%
c. 17%
d. 33%

Ans: d

Explanation: National Forest Policy has recommended that for maintaining the ecological balance there should be 33 % area under the forest in plain areas. But present forest cover in Indian is around 21-22 %.

10. Biodiversity Hotspot are characterized on the basis of:
a. Endemic flowering plant and threat perception
b. Endemic flowering plant
c. Species of flowering plants
d. None of above

Ans. a

Explanation: These areas are rich of plant species and these are endemic to this area. Endemism implies the presence of species in particular area only.