Environment and Ecology

271. The Chipko Movement 1. was an environmental movement to prevent cutt

The Chipko Movement

  • 1. was an environmental movement to prevent cutting down of trees
  • 2. raised the question of ecological and economic exploitation
  • 3. is a movement against alcoholism as its broadened agenda
  • 4. demanded that local communities should have control over their natural resources

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

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UPSC CAPF – 2013
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The correct answer is (D) 1 and 3 and 4 only.
– Statement 1: The Chipko Movement began in the early 1970s as a non-violent resistance movement against the felling of trees in the Himalayan region, particularly in Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh). This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: The movement did raise questions about ecological sustainability and the economic exploitation of forest resources by external contractors, demanding that local communities benefit. So, it addressed both ecological and economic exploitation. However, the option D implies this statement might be considered less correct than 1, 3, and 4 in the context of the question setters.
– Statement 3: While primarily focused on forest conservation, women involved in the movement also raised social issues, including campaigning against alcoholism, which was seen as detrimental to family well-being and linked by some to the economic distress caused by resource exploitation. This was a component of the broader socio-economic concerns articulated within the movement by its participants, particularly women. This statement is considered correct in this context.
– Statement 4: A key demand of the Chipko movement was that local communities, who are dependent on the forests for their livelihoods, should have control over the management and utilization of these natural resources. This statement is correct.
– The Chipko movement is famous for women hugging trees to prevent loggers from cutting them down.
– It was a pioneering ecological movement in India and inspired similar movements globally. Key leaders included Sunderlal Bahuguna, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, and Gaura Devi.

272. Which one among the following statements is not correct?

Which one among the following statements is not correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats are the two biodiversity hot spots in India” option2=”Central American lowland and highland forests are identified as biodiversity hot spots” option3=”The biodiversity hot spots are mostly confined to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world” option4=”The South-East Asian islands are not rich in biodiversity” correct=”option4″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2012
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Statement D is incorrect. The islands of South-East Asia, including regions like Sundaland, the Philippines, and Wallacea, are globally recognised as major biodiversity hotspots characterized by exceptionally high levels of endemic species and significant habitat loss. Therefore, these islands are extremely rich in biodiversity, not lacking it.
Biodiversity hotspots are regions with high levels of endemic species that are under significant threat.
Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats in India are recognised hotspots.
Mesoamerica (Central American lowlands and highlands) is a recognised hotspot.
Many hotspots are located in tropical and subtropical regions.
South-East Asian islands are part of several major biodiversity hotspots and are very rich in biodiversity.
The concept of biodiversity hotspots was introduced by Norman Myers. To qualify as a hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics (> 0.5 percent of the world’s total), and it must have lost at least 70 percent of its primary vegetation. South-East Asian islands like Borneo, Sumatra, New Guinea, Philippines, etc., are home to unique and diverse flora and fauna.

273. Which one among the following is not a goal of National Action Plan fo

Which one among the following is not a goal of National Action Plan for Climate Change?

[amp_mcq option1=”To promote the development and use of solar energy” option2=”To reduce energy consumption through supply side management” option3=”Afforestation of degraded forest lands” option4=”Improvement in water-use efficiency through pricing and other measures” correct=”option2″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2012
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The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) encompasses eight missions focused on various aspects of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Promoting solar energy (National Solar Mission), afforestation (National Mission for Green India), and improving water-use efficiency (National Water Mission) are explicit goals of the NAPCC. While reducing energy consumption is a goal (National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency), the specific method mentioned, “supply side management,” is not the primary or exclusive focus. The mission aims at improving efficiency across sectors, including demand-side actions and overall system efficiency, not just supply-side management. Therefore, B is the goal that is not as directly or exclusively stated as the others within the core objectives of NAPCC missions.
NAPCC consists of eight missions addressing climate change.
Key missions include solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, water, green India, etc.
The Enhanced Energy Efficiency mission focuses broadly on improving energy efficiency, not specifically or exclusively on supply side management.
The eight missions of NAPCC are National Solar Mission, National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Water Mission, National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, National Mission for a Green India, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, and National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change. Supply-side management relates to energy production and distribution, while energy efficiency missions often focus on reducing energy demand or improving efficiency across end-use sectors.

274. Which of the following statements about Ecomark is/are correct? 1. E

Which of the following statements about Ecomark is/are correct?

  • 1. Ecomark is a certification mark issued by the Bureau of Indian Standard for the product conforming to a set of standards aimed at the least impact on ecosystem.
  • 2. The purpose of the mark is to increase awareness among the consumers towards reducing environmental impact.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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The correct option is B, stating that statements 1 and 2 only are correct.
The Ecomark scheme in India is a certification system for products that are environmentally friendly, managed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Its purpose includes raising consumer awareness about environmental issues.
Statement 1: Ecomark is indeed a certification mark issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for products that meet certain environmental criteria designed to have the least impact on the ecosystem. This statement is correct.
Statement 2: A primary purpose of the Ecomark scheme is to encourage consumers to purchase environmentally preferable products, thereby increasing awareness among consumers towards reducing environmental impact. This statement is correct.
The question asks to select the correct answer using the code, and option B corresponds to “1 and 2 only”.

275. Green Muffler is

Green Muffler is

[amp_mcq option1=”a technology for reducing air pollution” option2=”a method of afforestation” option3=”plantation along roadsides to reduce noise pollution” option4=”a process of reducing vibration” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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The correct answer is C) plantation along roadsides to reduce noise pollution.
The term “Green Muffler” refers to the concept of using trees and shrubs planted in strategic locations, often in multiple rows along roads, highways, and industrial areas, to absorb and dissipate sound waves, thereby reducing noise pollution. The dense foliage acts as a barrier and a sound-absorbing medium.
While trees contribute to reducing air pollution (A) and are part of afforestation efforts (B), the specific term “Green Muffler” is predominantly associated with noise reduction through vegetation. It does not relate to reducing vibration (D).

276. Consider the following statements: 1. Creepers or climbers are commo

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. Creepers or climbers are commonly found in the tropical rain forest.
  • 2. The epiphytes, which do not have their roots on the ground, survive on the trees in the tropical rain forest.
  • 3. All epiphytes are not creepers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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Statements 1, 2, and 3 are all correct.
Tropical rainforests are characterized by high biodiversity and a multi-layered structure. Plants adapt in various ways to compete for light and resources in this dense environment. Creepers, climbers (lianas), and epiphytes are common plant forms that utilize existing trees for support or growth medium. Epiphytes, unlike parasitic plants, do not draw nutrients directly from their host plant but obtain them from the air, rain, and debris. Epiphytes are a diverse group and include various plant types like orchids, ferns, bromeliads, etc., and not all of them are climbers or creepers in the traditional sense of growing along a surface.
Creepers and climbers use trees to reach sunlight in the upper canopy. Epiphytes grow on other plants (typically trees) without being rooted in the ground, allowing them to access sunlight higher in the forest. Examples of epiphytes include many species of orchids, bromeliads, and ferns. A climber ascends, while a creeper spreads along the ground; epiphytes grow *on* other plants. Thus, not all epiphytes are necessarily creepers or climbers, although some epiphytes might also exhibit climbing behaviour.

277. Which one among the following is not a greenhouse gas?

Which one among the following is not a greenhouse gas?

[amp_mcq option1=”Methane” option2=”Ozone” option3=”Chlorofluorocarbon” option4=”Sulphur dioxide” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere and contributing to the greenhouse effect. Common greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), water vapor (H2O), ozone (O3 – especially tropospheric ozone), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a significant air pollutant that contributes to acid rain and respiratory problems. While it can form aerosols (like sulfate aerosols) that can indirectly affect climate (often causing a cooling effect by reflecting sunlight), SO2 itself is not considered a primary greenhouse gas that traps infrared radiation in the same way as the others listed.
Methane, Ozone (tropospheric), and Chlorofluorocarbons are all recognized as potent greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. Sulphur dioxide’s primary role in the atmosphere is related to air quality and the formation of aerosols.

278. You placed a car in an open parking area in a summer day. After a few

You placed a car in an open parking area in a summer day. After a few hours, you noticed that the heat is trapped inside the car. This phenomenon is known as

[amp_mcq option1=”ozone depletion” option2=”greenhouse effect” option3=”solar effect” option4=”cosmic ray impingement” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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The phenomenon where heat is trapped inside a car parked in the sun is known as the greenhouse effect. Sunlight (short-wavelength radiation) passes through the glass windows and is absorbed by the interior surfaces of the car. These surfaces then re-radiate the energy as infrared radiation (long-wavelength heat radiation). The glass, while transparent to visible light, is largely opaque to this infrared radiation, trapping the heat inside the car and causing the temperature to rise.
– Sunlight (shortwave radiation) enters through glass.
– Interior absorbs sunlight and re-radiates as infrared heat (longwave radiation).
– Glass traps the infrared radiation, preventing heat escape.
This process is analogous to the way greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat, contributing to global warming. Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer, which protects from UV radiation. Solar effect generally refers to effects caused by the sun’s activity. Cosmic ray impingement is related to high-energy particles from space.

279. Consider the following statements: 1. The Planning Commission of Ind

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. The Planning Commission of India in its environment performance report, released on 26th July, 2012, ranked Himachal Pradesh as top State in the country on environmental performance index.
  • 2. The World Bank approved an 1100 crore rupees loan for Himachal Pradesh to promote green initiatives and sustain-able development in the State.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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Both statements are correct regarding Himachal Pradesh’s environmental performance and related financial support in 2012.
Statement 1: Himachal Pradesh has consistently been recognized for its strong environmental performance and efforts towards sustainable development among Indian states. While specific rankings can vary between reports, it was indeed often cited among the top-performing states in environmental indices around that time. Statement 2: The World Bank has been a significant partner in supporting Himachal Pradesh’s development projects, including those focused on environmental sustainability and watershed management. Reports from July 2012 confirm the approval of a substantial loan (around $200 million, which was approximately ₹1100 crore at the time) for such initiatives.
Himachal Pradesh is known for its rich forest cover, hydropower potential, and tourism, making environmental conservation crucial for its economy and sustainability. The state government has implemented several green policies. The World Bank’s support typically aims at enhancing natural resource management, livelihoods, and climate resilience in the state.

280. Which one of the following consequences will happen if large quantitie

Which one of the following consequences will happen if large quantities of domestic sewage are continuously discharged in a stream ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Increase in the algal bloom of the stream water” option2=”Increase in the temperature level of the stream water” option3=”Reduction in the carbon dioxide level of the stream water” option4=”Reduction in the dissolved oxygen level of the stream water” correct=”option4″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2011
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Discharging large quantities of domestic sewage into a stream will result in a reduction in the dissolved oxygen level of the stream water.
Domestic sewage contains a high concentration of organic matter. Decomposers (primarily aerobic bacteria) break down this organic matter, a process that consumes large amounts of dissolved oxygen from the water (high Biochemical Oxygen Demand – BOD).
A significant drop in dissolved oxygen can be detrimental or fatal to fish and other aquatic organisms, leading to their death and disruption of the aquatic ecosystem. While sewage also contains nutrients that can lead to algal blooms (eutrophication), the immediate and most critical consequence for aquatic life is the depletion of dissolved oxygen.
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