Environment & Ecology

385 questions asked in UPSC Prelims.

2010 · Q105 Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationmoderate

Consider the following statements: 1. The Taxus tree naturally found in the Himalayas. 2. The Taxus tree is listed in the Red Data Book. 3. A drug called “taxol” is obtained from Taxus tree is effective against Parkinson’s disease. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

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Official answer(b) 1 and 2 only

2010 · Q129 Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

What are the possible limitations of India in mitigating the global warming at present and in the immediate future ? 1. Appropriate alternate technologies are not sufficiently available. 2. India cannot invest huge funds in research and development. 3. Many developed countries have already set up their polluting industries in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a)1 and 2 only
(b)2 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

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Official answer(a) 1 and 2 only

2010 · Q149 Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gaseseasy

Consider the following which can be found in the ambient atmosphere : 1. Soot 2. Sulphur hexafluoride 3. Water vapour Which of the above contribute to the warming up of the atmosphere ?

(a)1 and 2 only
(b)3 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3

2009 · Q4 Environment & EcologyWater & Wetland Conservationeasy

In India, which one of the following States has the largest inland saline wetland?

(a)Gujarat
(b)Haryana
(c)Madhya Pradesh
(d)Rajasthan

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Official answer(d) Rajasthan

2009 · Q90 Environment & EcologyInternational Environmental Treaties & Summitseasy

Which one of the following Union Ministries implements the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety ?

(a)Ministry of Science and Technology
(b)Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(c)Ministry of Environment and Forests
(d)Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

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Official answer(c) Ministry of Environment and Forests

2009 · Q91 Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Governance & Legislationeasy

Where is the headquarters of Animal Welfare Board of India located ?

(a)Ahmedabad
(b)Chennai
(c)Hyderabad
(d)Kolkata

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Official answer(b) Chennai

2009 · Q111 Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gaseseasy

In the context of CO₂ emission and Global Warming, what is the name of a market-driven device under the UNFCCC that allows developing countries to get funds/incentives from the developed countries to adopt better technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions ?

(a)Carbon Footprint
(b)Carbon Credit Rating
(c)Clean Development Mechanism
(d)Emission Reduction Norm

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Official answer(c) Clean Development Mechanism

2009 · Q112 Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gaseseasy

The concept of carbon credit originated from which one of the following ?

(a)Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro
(b)Kyoto Protocol
(c)Montreal Protocol
(d)G-8 Summit, Heiligendamm

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Official answer(b) Kyoto Protocol

2009 · Q132 Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationeasy

The marine animal called dugong which is vulnerable to extinction is a/an

(a)Amphibian
(b)Bony fish
(c)Shark
(d)Mammal

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Official answer(d) Mammal

2009 · Q142 Environment & EcologyEcosystems & Ecology Conceptsmoderate

Consider the following names : 1. Ike 2. Kate 3. Gustav Which of the above are the names of hurricanes that had occurred very recently ?

(a)1 and 2 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2009 · Q143 Environment & EcologyRenewable Energy & Green Technologieseasy

In the context of alternative sources of energy, ethanol as a viable bio-fuel can be obtained from

(a)Potato
(b)Rice
(c)Sugarcane
(d)Wheat

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Official answer(c) Sugarcane

2009 · Q148 Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationmoderate

Consider the following regions: 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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Official answer(b) 1 and 2 only

2009 · Q150 Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationeasy

The Panda belongs to the same family as that of

(a)Bear
(b)Cat
(c)Dog
(d)Rabbit

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Official answer(a) Bear

2008 · Q13 Environment & EcologyRenewable Energy & Green Technologieseasy

Which one of the following Union Ministries is implementing the Biodiesel Mission (as Nodal Ministry)?

(a)Ministry of Agriculture
(b)Ministry of Science and Technology
(c)Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
(d)Ministry of Rural Development

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Official answer(d) Ministry of Rural Development

2008 · Q20 Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

Consider the following: 1. Rice fields 2. Coal mining 3. Domestic animals 4. Wetlands Which of the above are sources of methane, a major greenhouse gas?

(a)1 and 4 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1, 2 and 3 only
(d)1, 2, 3 and 4

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Official answer(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

2008 · Q25 Environment & EcologyProtected Areas & Wildlifemoderate

Consider the following statements: 1. Salt-water crocodile is found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 2. Shrew and tapir are found in the Western Ghats of the Malabar region. 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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Official answer(a) 1 only

2008 · Q29 Environment & EcologyEcosystems & Ecology Conceptseasy

For which one of the following snakes is the diet mainly composed of other snakes?

(a)Krait
(b)Russell's viper
(c)Rattlesnake
(d)King cobra

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Official answer(d) King cobra

2008 · Q90 Environment & EcologyProtected Areas & Wildlifemoderate

Out of all the Biosphere Reserves in India, four have been recognized on the World Network by UNESCO. Which one of the following is not one of them?

(a)Gulf of Mannar
(b)Kanchenjunga
(c)Nanda Devi
(d)Sunderbans

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Official answer(b) Kanchenjunga

2008 · Q95 Environment & EcologyInternational Environmental Treaties & Summitseasy

Where was the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio + 10) held?

(a)Davos
(b)Nova Scotia
(c)Johannesburg
(d)Shanghai

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Official answer(c) Johannesburg

2008 · Q96 Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

Consider the following statements: 1. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in respect of carbon credits is one of the Kyoto Protocol Mechanisms. 2. Under the CDM, the projects handled pertain only to the Annex-I countries. 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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Official answer(a) 1 only

2008 · Q137 Environment & EcologySustainable Agriculture & Forestryeasy

The release of which one of the following into ponds and wells helps in controlling the mosquitoes?

(a)Crab
(b)Dogfish
(c)Gambusia fish
(d)Snail

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Official answer(c) Gambusia fish

2008 · Q145 Environment & EcologyProtected Areas & Wildlifeeasy

Which one among the following has the maximum number of National Parks?

(a)Andaman and Nicobar Islands
(b)Arunachal Pradesh
(c)Assam
(d)Meghalaya

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Official answer(a) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

2008 · Q146 Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationeasy

Among the following, which one is not an ape?

(a)Gibbon
(b)Gorilla
(c)Langur
(d)Orangutan

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Official answer(c) Langur

2007 · Q6 Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Governance & Legislationeasy

Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Prize winner from Kenya, is known for her contribution to which one of the following?

(a)Journalism
(b)International economics
(c)Sustainable development
(d)Child development

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Official answer(c) Sustainable development

2007 · Q70 Environment & EcologyProtected Areas & Wildlifeeasy

Which one of the following is also known as Top Slip?

(a)Simlipal National Park
(b)Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
(c)Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary
(d)Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

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Official answer(d) Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park