Environment and Sustainable Development

31. Which of the following is/are considered as India’s green initiative(s

Which of the following is/are considered as India’s green initiative(s)?

  • 1. National Green Highways Mission
  • 2. R & D for Clean Coal Technologies
  • 3. National Green Corridor Programme

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2018
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3.
All three listed initiatives are considered India’s green initiatives aimed at environmental protection, sustainability, or promoting clean energy:
1. National Green Highways Mission focuses on developing green corridors along highways through plantations, which helps in carbon sequestration, reducing air pollution, and improving aesthetics.
2. R & D for Clean Coal Technologies aims to mitigate the environmental impact of coal-based power generation, which is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, by developing technologies like carbon capture and storage, and efficient combustion methods. This is a green initiative focused on reducing the environmental footprint of a major energy source.
3. National Green Corridor Programme (or Green Energy Corridor) facilitates the transmission of renewable energy (like solar and wind power) from generation rich areas to load centres, enabling greater integration of clean energy into the grid.
India has undertaken numerous initiatives under national missions and policies to promote sustainable development, renewable energy, pollution control, and environmental conservation. These three programs align with the broader goals of reducing carbon footprint and promoting environmental sustainability.

32. Which one of the following is NOT correct about organic farming ?

Which one of the following is NOT correct about organic farming ?

It does not use genetically modified seeds
Synthetic pesticides or fertilizers are not used
It uses minimal crop rotation
It uses ecologically protective practices
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
Download PDFAttempt Online
The statement “It uses minimal crop rotation” is NOT correct about organic farming.
– Organic farming is an agricultural system that avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and growth hormones. (Statements A and B are correct).
– It focuses on ecological balance, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable practices to maintain soil fertility and manage pests and diseases. (Statement D is correct).
– Crop rotation is a fundamental practice in organic farming. It is used extensively to improve soil health, break pest and disease cycles, manage weeds, and diversify nutrient uptake from the soil, thereby reducing reliance on external inputs. Organic farming uses *extensive*, not minimal, crop rotation.
Other common practices in organic farming include using compost and manure for soil fertility, biological pest control, cover cropping, and conservation tillage. The goal is to build healthy soil and a resilient ecosystem.

33. Which one among the following is successfully tested in Germany recent

Which one among the following is successfully tested in Germany recently as world’s first green helicopter which is environment friendly and emission free ?

Volocopter
Sikorsky
Eurocopter
Bell
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2014
Download PDFAttempt Online
In late 2013, the German company E-volo successfully conducted manned test flights of its prototype electric multirotor aircraft, the Volocopter VC200. This aircraft was widely reported at the time as being the world’s first certified electric multirotor (often referred to in popular media as an electric helicopter, though technically a multirotor VTOL aircraft) and was highlighted for being emission-free and environmentally friendly.
The Volocopter is an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, representing a new class of environmentally friendly rotorcraft as opposed to traditional fuel-powered helicopters.
Sikorsky, Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters), and Bell are established manufacturers of traditional helicopters powered by jet engines, although they are also developing hybrid and electric models more recently. The question specifically refers to a successful test of a “first green helicopter” in Germany around Dec 2013, which aligns with the Volocopter’s milestone flight.

34. The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme in India is related to :

The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme in India is related to :

Education
Global warming
Energy efficiency
Bharat Nirman
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2014
Download PDFAttempt Online
The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme is a market-based mechanism aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in large energy-consuming industries in India. It is a key component of the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) under India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
The PAT scheme targets Designated Consumers (DCs) in specific energy-intensive sectors, setting energy reduction targets for them. Achieving these targets earns them Energy Saving Certificates (ESCs) which can be traded.
The scheme is implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power. While contributing indirectly to mitigating global warming by reducing energy consumption, its direct focus and mechanism are centred on improving energy efficiency across various industrial sectors.

35. 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.

1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
Download PDFAttempt Online
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”.

36. 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?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
Download PDFAttempt Online
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.

37. Which of the following statements regarding United Nations Environment

Which of the following statements regarding United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is/are correct ?

  • 1. The theme for the year 2011 is ‘Forest : Nature at Your Service’.
  • 2. It underscores link between quality of life and health and forest ecosystem.
  • 3. India is declared as a global host of World Environment Day 2011.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1, 2 and 3
1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 2 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2011
Download PDFAttempt Online
All three statements are correct regarding the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and World Environment Day (WED) in 2011. The theme for World Environment Day 2011 was ‘Forests: Nature at Your Service’, which highlights the vital ecosystem services provided by forests and their link to human well-being (Statements 1 and 2). India was indeed the global host country for World Environment Day 2011, organizing various events to mark the occasion (Statement 3).
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th and is the principal vehicle for the United Nations to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Each year, a theme and a host country are selected.
UNEP was established in 1972 and is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

38. Which of the following movements address both sociological and ecologi

Which of the following movements address both sociological and ecological issues ?

  1. The Trade Union movements in post-colonial India
  2. Narmada Bachao Andolan
  3. Jai Prakash Narain’s movement for total revolution
  4. Chilka Bachao Andolan

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 3 only
2 and 4 only
1, 2 and 3 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2009
Download PDFAttempt Online
Sociological issues relate to society, social structures, rights, inequality, etc. Ecological issues relate to the environment, conservation, sustainability, etc.
1. Trade Union movements: Primarily sociological (workers’ rights, wages).
2. Narmada Bachao Andolan: Protest against dams, addressing displacement (sociological) and environmental impact (ecological).
3. Jai Prakash Narain’s movement: Broad socio-political reform, primarily sociological/political.
4. Chilka Bachao Andolan: Movement to protect Chilka Lake, addressing environmental degradation (ecological) and impacting the livelihoods of traditional fishing communities (sociological).
Therefore, movements 2 and 4 address both sociological and ecological issues.
Environmental movements in India often have strong socio-economic dimensions, linking ecological conservation with the livelihoods and rights of affected communities.
Many movements resisting large development projects in India (dams, mines, industrial plants) highlight both the environmental damage caused and the social costs, such as displacement, loss of livelihoods, and violation of rights, thus demonstrating the intertwined nature of ecological and sociological concerns.

39. Recently the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has su

Recently the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has submitted three nominations from India for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Which one among the following cities is not one among them ?

Indore
Bhopal
Udaipur
Jodhpur
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2024
Download PDFAttempt Online
Jodhpur is not one of the cities nominated by India for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA).
Wetland City Accreditation is a voluntary scheme under the Ramsar Convention that promotes the conservation and wise use of urban wetlands.
In January 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced that India had submitted three nominations for the Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The three cities nominated were Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), and Udaipur (Rajasthan). Jodhpur was not among these nominated cities.

40. A farmer in a semi-arid area claims that his farming practice is very

A farmer in a semi-arid area claims that his farming practice is very environment friendly. Which of the following practices on his farm can justify his claim ?

  • 1. Planting a tree belt.
  • 2. Practising crop rotation.
  • 3. Carrying out a large scale irrigation system.
  • 4. Using organic fertilizers.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

3 and 4 only
1, 2 and 4
1, 3 and 4
1 and 2 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2015
Download PDFAttempt Online
In a semi-arid area, environment-friendly farming practices focus on water conservation, soil preservation, and sustainable resource use.
1. Planting a tree belt acts as a windbreak, reducing wind erosion which is critical in semi-arid areas, and can help conserve soil moisture. This is environment-friendly.
2. Practising crop rotation improves soil structure, fertility, and reduces the build-up of pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical inputs. This is environment-friendly.
3. Carrying out a large scale irrigation system in semi-arid areas can lead to unsustainable water use, depletion of water sources, and soil salinization, making it generally not environment-friendly.
4. Using organic fertilizers improves soil health, water retention, and fertility without introducing synthetic chemicals, which is environment-friendly.
Practices 1, 2, and 4 are beneficial for sustainability and environmental health in semi-arid regions by promoting soil conservation, water efficiency (indirectly through improved soil health and windbreaks), and reducing reliance on harmful chemicals. Large-scale irrigation without careful management is often detrimental in water-scarce environments.
Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5
Exit mobile version