Environment and Ecology

191. With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the

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?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 3 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2014
Download PDFAttempt Online
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is an independent non-governmental organization dedicated to nature conservation. It is not an autonomous body *under* any government ministry. It actively works to conserve nature through scientific research, education, and public awareness, including organizing nature trails and camps. Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.
BNHS is one of the oldest and largest conservation NGOs in India, founded in 1883. Its activities span a wide range of biodiversity research, conservation projects, and public education initiatives aimed at promoting nature appreciation and conservation. While it collaborates with government bodies and receives grants, it maintains its independent status.
Statement 1 is false as BNHS is a registered society/trust, not a government entity. Statement 2 accurately describes its core mission. Statement 3 highlights one of its key public engagement activities, well-known to anyone familiar with the organization.

192. If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreu

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

[amp_mcq option1=”Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference” option2=”The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any activity within five kilometres from the edge of the wetland” option3=”The 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 destroyed” option4=”It is given the status of ‘World Heritage Site'” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2014
Download PDFAttempt Online
The Montreux Record is a list under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands that identifies wetlands of international importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur due to human interference.
Listing a site on the Montreux Record highlights the specific threats to its ecological character and calls for targeted conservation measures. It serves as a mechanism for monitoring and responding to adverse changes in Ramsar sites.
The Montreux Record is a tool to help identify priority sites for conservation action. It does not automatically impose legal restrictions like prohibiting activity within a specific radius (B), nor does it specifically relate to cultural practices (C), or confer World Heritage status (D).

193. Consider the following fauna of India : 1. Gharial 2. Leatherback t

Consider the following fauna of India :

  • 1. Gharial
  • 2. Leatherback turtle
  • 3. Swamp deer

Which of the above is/are endangered?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3″ option4=”None” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
Download PDFAttempt Online
All three fauna mentioned – Gharial, Leatherback turtle, and Swamp deer – are considered endangered or critically endangered in the context of India.
The Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. The Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), while globally Vulnerable, has populations in the Indian Ocean region that are highly threatened, including the Southwest Indian Ocean subpopulation listed as Critically Endangered. The Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) species is listed as Vulnerable, but the Sangai (Rucervus eldii), a subspecies of swamp deer found in Manipur, India, is listed as Endangered.
Conservation efforts are underway in India for all three species. The status ‘endangered’ often refers to the species level, but for questions pertaining to ‘fauna of India’, the status of specific populations or subspecies within India is relevant. Given the status of the Gharial, the critically endangered Leatherback population in the region, and the endangered Sangai subspecies of Swamp deer, all three can be considered endangered in the Indian context.

194. Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among

Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among

[amp_mcq option1=”NO₂, O₃ and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight” option2=”CO, O₂ and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight” option3=”CO, CO₂ and NO₂ at low temperature” option4=”high concentration of NO₂, O₃ and CO in the evening” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
Download PDFAttempt Online
Photochemical smog is a complex mixture of air pollutants that forms when sunlight reacts with certain chemicals in the atmosphere. Key components and precursors include nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The resulting smog contains pollutants like ozone (O₃), peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), and aldehydes.
The formation of photochemical smog is driven by sunlight. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is a primary pollutant that photodissociates in sunlight to form nitric oxide (NO) and atomic oxygen (O). This atomic oxygen quickly reacts with molecular oxygen (O₂) to form ozone (O₃). VOCs react with NOx and other atmospheric components in the presence of sunlight to form a variety of secondary pollutants, including PAN. Therefore, NO₂, O₃ (as a product), and PAN (as a product), with sunlight as the driving force, are central to photochemical smog.
Photochemical smog is often referred to as “Los Angeles smog” because it was first recognized in Los Angeles. It differs from traditional “London smog” (sulfurous smog), which is caused by the burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur and occurs under cool, humid conditions. Photochemical smog is more common in sunny, dry climates with significant vehicular traffic.

195. Which one of the following terms describes not only the physical space

Which one of the following terms describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organisms?

[amp_mcq option1=”Ecotone” option2=”Ecological niche” option3=”Habitat” option4=”Home range” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
Download PDFAttempt Online
The term that describes both the physical space occupied by an organism and its functional role in the community is “Ecological niche”.
– **Habitat:** Refers primarily to the physical environment or location where an organism lives.
– **Ecotone:** Is a transition zone between two different ecosystems.
– **Home range:** Is the area an animal traverses in its activities, but it doesn’t define its functional role.
– **Ecological niche:** Encompasses not just the physical space (like habitat) but also the organism’s role, including how it interacts with other organisms (predators, prey, competitors), what it consumes, how it reproduces, and how it is affected by its environment. It is often described as the organism’s “profession” or “address + profession” within the ecosystem.
The concept of the ecological niche was first described by Joseph Grinnell (focused on habitat) and later refined by Charles Elton (focused on the functional role) and G. Evelyn Hutchinson (mathematical definition of the ‘n-dimensional hypervolume’). The principle of competitive exclusion states that no two species can occupy exactly the same niche in the same habitat for a prolonged period.

196. In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its n

In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat?

  • 1. Tamil Nadu
  • 2. Kerala
  • 3. Karnataka
  • 4. Andhra Pradesh

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”2 only” option3=”1, 3 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
Download PDFAttempt Online
The Lion-tailed Macaque is found in its natural habitat in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
The Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) is an endangered primate species endemic to the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats mountain range in South India. Its natural habitat is restricted to this region, specifically within the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It is not naturally found in Andhra Pradesh.
The Lion-tailed Macaque is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Its population is fragmented and threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation due to human activities. Significant populations are found in areas like the Anamalai Hills, Periyar National Park, Silent Valley National Park, and parts of Karnataka’s Western Ghats.

197. Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil? 1. Excretion o

Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil?

  • 1. Excretion of urea by animals
  • 2. Burning of coal by man
  • 3. Death of vegetation

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
Download PDFAttempt Online
Statements 1, 2, and 3 all describe processes that add nitrogen to the soil.
1. Excretion of urea by animals: Urea is a nitrogen-rich organic compound. When animals excrete urea onto the soil, decomposers convert it into inorganic forms like ammonium, which plants can absorb. This is a direct addition of nitrogen to the soil through the nitrogen cycle.
2. Burning of coal by man: Combustion of fossil fuels like coal releases nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. These atmospheric nitrogen compounds can be deposited onto the soil through dry deposition (particles) or wet deposition (acid rain). This process, known as atmospheric nitrogen deposition, adds nitrogen to ecosystems, including soil.
3. Death of vegetation: When plants and other organisms die, their organic matter is decomposed by microorganisms in the soil. This process, called mineralization, breaks down organic nitrogen compounds into inorganic forms (like ammonium), making nitrogen available in the soil for uptake by plants. This is a crucial part of the nitrogen cycle.
Nitrogen is a vital nutrient for plant growth. Nitrogen is added to the soil through various natural processes (like biological nitrogen fixation, atmospheric deposition, decomposition) and human activities (like application of fertilizers, burning fossil fuels leading to deposition). While decomposition and biological fixation are primary natural inputs, anthropogenic activities have significantly altered the global nitrogen cycle, increasing deposition rates in many areas.

198. With reference to food chains in ecosystems, consider the following st

With reference to food chains in ecosystems, consider the following statements:

  • 1. A food chain illustrates the order in which a chain of organisms feed upon each other.
  • 2. Food chains are found within the populations of a species.
  • 3. A food chain illustrates the numbers of each organism which are eaten by others.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3″ option4=”None” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
Download PDFAttempt Online
Statement 1 is correct. A food chain shows the linear sequence of organisms where nutrients and energy are transferred as one organism eats another. Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect.
A food chain illustrates the trophic relationships between different species in an ecosystem, showing the flow of energy from producers to consumers of various levels. Food chains involve interactions *between* different species at different trophic levels, not typically *within* the population of a single species (unless referring to cannibalism, which isn’t the primary representation). While the number of organisms at each level can be represented in an ecological pyramid (like the pyramid of numbers), a simple food chain diagram does not illustrate the *numbers* of organisms eaten.
Ecosystems consist of multiple interconnected food chains, forming a food web. Food chains help understand the flow of energy and the impact of changes in one trophic level on others.

199. Acid rain is caused by the pollution of environment by

Acid rain is caused by the pollution of environment by

[amp_mcq option1=”carbon dioxide and nitrogen” option2=”carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide” option3=”ozone and carbon dioxide” option4=”nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is D) nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide.
Acid rain is primarily caused by atmospheric pollutants, mainly sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These gases are released into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels. In the atmosphere, they react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids then fall to the Earth’s surface through rain, snow, fog, or dry deposition. While the term “nitrous oxide” (N₂O) is specifically mentioned in the option, it is one of the nitrogen oxides (NOx) group, although NO and NO₂ from combustion are the main contributors to acid rain’s nitrogen component. However, compared to other options which list substances not responsible for acid rain (Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Ozone, Nitrogen), this option correctly identifies the two major categories of pollutants that lead to acid rain (sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds).
Sulfur dioxide emissions largely come from power plants and industrial facilities burning coal and oil. Nitrogen oxide emissions come from vehicle exhausts, power plants, and industrial combustion. Acid rain has harmful effects on ecosystems, damaging forests, lakes, buildings, and monuments.

200. Due to improper/indiscriminate disposal of old and used computers or t

Due to improper/indiscriminate disposal of old and used computers or their parts, which of the following are released into the environment as e-waste?

1. Beryllium

2. Cadmium

3. Chromium

4. Heptachlor

5. Mercury

6. Lead

7. Plutonium

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only” option2=”1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 only” option3=”2, 4, 5 and 7 only” option4=”1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is B) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 only.
Electronic waste (e-waste), such as old computers and their parts, contains various hazardous substances. The list provided includes several heavy metals commonly found in electronic components: Beryllium (1), Cadmium (2), Chromium (3, often hexavalent chromium), Mercury (5), and Lead (6). These substances pose significant environmental and health risks if not disposed of properly. Heptachlor (4) is an organochlorine pesticide, not a standard component of electronics. Plutonium (7) is a radioactive element associated with nuclear materials, not found in typical consumer electronics. Therefore, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 are commonly released into the environment from improper e-waste handling.
Other hazardous substances found in e-waste include brominated flame retardants (BFRs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs – in older equipment), and various other chemicals in plastics and circuit boards. Proper e-waste management involves recycling and safe disposal methods to prevent these toxins from contaminating soil, water, and air.
Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5