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Environment & Ecology

385 questions asked in UPSC Prelims.

2021 · Q24Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Governance & Legislationdifficult

With reference to the ‘New York Declaration on Forests’, which of the following statements are correct? 1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014. 2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests. 3. It is a legally binding international declaration. 4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities. 5. India was one of the signatories at its inception. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1, 2 and 4
  2. (b)1, 3 and 5
  3. (c)3 and 4
  4. (d)2 and 5
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Official answer(a) 1, 2 and 4

2021 · Q25Environment & EcologyPollution & Waste Managementmoderate

Magnetite particles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants from which of the following? 1. Brakes of motor vehicles 2. Engines of motor vehicles 3. Microwave stoves within homes 4. Power plants 5. Telephone lines Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1, 2, 3 and 5 only
  2. (b)1, 2 and 4 only
  3. (c)3, 4 and 5 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
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Official answer(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

2021 · Q29Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, has been developed for

  1. (a)assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world
  2. (b)enabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading
  3. (c)enabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries
  4. (d)assessing the overall carbon footprint caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time
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Official answer(a) assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world

2021 · Q51Environment & EcologySustainable Agriculture & Forestrydifficult

How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? 1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant. 2. Conventional chemical farming can cause increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming. 3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions. 4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

2021 · Q56Environment & EcologyInternational Environmental Treaties & Summitsmoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters. 2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters. 3. 'Rare earth minerals' are present on seafloor in international waters. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

2021 · Q59Environment & EcologySustainable Agriculture & Forestrymoderate

In the context of India's preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements : 1. The 'Climate-Smart Village' approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme. 2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France. 3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR's research centres. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

2021 · Q60Environment & EcologyEcosystems & Ecology Conceptseasy

"Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees." This is the most likely description of

  1. (a)coniferous forest
  2. (b)dry deciduous forest
  3. (c)mangrove forest
  4. (d)tropical rain forest
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Official answer(d) tropical rain forest

2021 · Q61Environment & EcologyEcosystems & Ecology Conceptsmoderate

The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions? 1. Burrowing animals and termites 2. Fire 3. Grazing herbivores 4. Seasonal rainfall 5. Soil properties Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1 and 2
  2. (b)4 and 5
  3. (c)2, 3 and 4
  4. (d)1, 3 and 5
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Official answer(c) 2, 3 and 4

2021 · Q63Environment & EcologySustainable Agriculture & Forestrymoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree. 2. Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia. 3. In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce. 4. India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa. 5. Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (a)1, 2, 4 and 5
  2. (b)3, 4 and 5
  3. (c)1, 3 and 4
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 5
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Official answer(b) 3, 4 and 5

2021 · Q97Environment & EcologySustainable Agriculture & Forestryeasy

Consider the following statements : Statement 1 : The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World. Statement 2 : Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a)Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1
  2. (b)Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1
  3. (c)Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct
  4. (d)Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct
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Official answer(d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct

2020 · Q72Environment & EcologyProtected Areas & Wildlifemoderate

With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements : 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months. 3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only. 4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

2020 · Q78Environment & EcologyRenewable Energy & Green Technologiesmoderate

In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint ? 1. Copper slag 2. Cold mix asphalt technology 3. Geotextiles 4. Hot mix asphalt technology 5. Portland cement Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1, 2 and 3 only
  2. (b)2, 3 and 4 only
  3. (c)4 and 5 only
  4. (d)1 and 5 only
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Official answer(a) 1, 2 and 3 only