Environment & Ecology PYQs

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1. Prelims 2015Q93Environmental Pollution

   With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements :

   1.The decomposition of human waste in the bio-toilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum.

   2.Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
2. Prelims 2015Q95Renewable Energy

   With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity, consider the following statements :

   1.If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by-products.

   2.Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers.

   3.Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC).

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
3. Prelims 2014Q1Sustainable Agriculture & Development

   What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as 'Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative'?

   1.Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.

   2.Drip irrigation can be practiced very effectively in this.

   3.There is no application of chemical/inorganic fertilizers at all in this.

   4.The scope for intercropping is more in this compared to the conventional method of cultivation.

   Select the correct answer using the code given below.

   a1 and 3 onlyb1, 2 and 4 onlyc2, 3 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
4. Prelims 2014Q2International Conventions & Organisations

   If a wetland of international importance is brought under the 'Montreux Record', what does it imply?

   aChanges in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interferencebThe country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometres from the edge of the wetlandcThe survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyeddIt is given the status of 'World Heritage Site'
5. Prelims 2014Q5Indian Environmental Laws & Bodies

   With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements :

   1.It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

   2.It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and public awareness.

   3.It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a1 and 3 onlyb2 onlyc2 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
6. Prelims 2014Q6International Conventions & Organisations

   With reference to 'Global Environment Facility', which of the following statements is/are correct?

   aIt serves as financial mechanism for 'Convention on Biological Diversity' and 'United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change'bIt undertakes scientific research on environmental issues at global levelcIt is an agency under OECD to facilitate the transfer of technology and funds to underdeveloped countries with specific aim to protect their environmentdBoth (a) and (b)
7. Prelims 2014Q7Renewable Energy

   With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements :

   1.'Photovoltaics' is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while 'Solar Thermal' is a technology that utilizes the Sun's rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process.

   2.Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).

   3.India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1, 2 and 3dNone
8. Prelims 2014Q9Protected Areas & Conservation

   Consider the following pairs :

   1.Dampa Tiger Reserve : Mizoram

   2.Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary : Sikkim

   3.Saramati Peak : Nagaland

   Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

   a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
9. Prelims 2014Q10International Conventions & Organisations

   With reference to a conservation organization called 'Wetlands International', which of the following statements is/are correct?

   1.It is an intergovernmental organization formed by the countries which are signatories to Ramsar Convention.

   2.It works at the field level to develop and mobilize knowledge, and use the practical experience to advocate for better policies.

   Select the correct answer using the code given below.

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
10. Prelims 2014Q14Biodiversity & Species

    Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?

    1.Construction of dams and barrages on rivers

    2.Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers

    3.Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally

    4.Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a1 and 2 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1, 3 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
11. Prelims 2014Q16Environmental Pollution

    Brominated flame retardants are used in many household products like mattresses and upholstery. Why is there some concern about their use?

    1.They are highly resistant to degradation in the environment.

    2.They are able to accumulate in humans and animals.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
12. Prelims 2014Q19Ecology & Ecosystems

    Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth?

    1.Volcanic action

    2.Respiration

    3.Photosynthesis

    4.Decay of organic matter

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a1 and 3 onlyb2 onlyc1, 2 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
13. Prelims 2014Q20Biodiversity & Species

    If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?

    1.Painted Stork

    2.Common Myna

    3.Black-necked Crane

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a1 and 2b2 onlyc2 and 3d3 only
14. Prelims 2014Q22Ecology & Ecosystems

    Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of

    aalgae and bacteriabalgae and fungicbacteria and fungidfungi and mosses
15. Prelims 2014Q24Environmental Pollution

    Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India?

    1.Oxides of sulphur

    2.Oxides of nitrogen

    3.Carbon monoxide

    4.Carbon dioxide

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a1, 3 and 4 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
16. Prelims 2014Q41Ecology & Ecosystems

    Which of the following have coral reefs?

    1.Andaman and Nicobar Islands

    2.Gulf of Kachchh

    3.Gulf of Mannar

    4.Sunderbans

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a1, 2 and 3 onlyb2 and 4 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
17. Prelims 2014Q46Protected Areas & Conservation

    Consider the following pairs :

    Wetlands : Confluence of rivers

    1.Harike Wetlands : Confluence of Beas and Satluj/Sutlej

    2.Keoladeo Ghana National Park : Confluence of Banas and Chambal

    3.Kolleru Lake : Confluence of Musi and Krishna

    Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
18. Prelims 2014Q50Protected Areas & Conservation

    The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

    abiosphere reservesbbotanical gardenscnational parksdwildlife sanctuaries
19. Prelims 2014Q53Climate Change

    The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2 °C above pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3 °C above the pre-industrial level, what can be its possible impact/impacts on the world?

    1.Terrestrial biosphere tends toward a net carbon source.

    2.Widespread coral mortality will occur.

    3.All the global wetlands will permanently disappear.

    4.Cultivation of cereals will not be possible anywhere in the world.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a1 onlyb1 and 2 onlyc2, 3 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
20. Prelims 2014Q64Sustainable Agriculture & DevelopmentAnswer disputed

    With reference to Neem tree, consider the following statements :

    1.Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites.

    2.Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents.

    3.Neem oil has applications in pharmaceutical industry.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 and 2 onlyb3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3