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Environment & Ecology

385 questions asked in UPSC Prelims.

2020 · Q80Environment & EcologySustainable Agriculture & Forestrymoderate

What is the use of biochar in farming ? 1. Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming. 2. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. 3. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it enables the growing medium to retain water for longer time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

2020 · Q83Environment & EcologySustainable Agriculture & Forestrymoderate

What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture ? 1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of previous crop. 2. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible. 3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

2020 · Q84Environment & EcologyRenewable Energy & Green Technologiesdifficult

According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels ? 1. Cassava 2. Damaged wheat grains 3. Groundnut seeds 4. Horse gram 5. Rotten potatoes 6. Sugar beet Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. (a)1, 2, 5 and 6 only
  2. (b)1, 3, 4 and 6 only
  3. (c)2, 3, 4 and 5 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
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Official answer(a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only

2020 · Q85Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

Which one of the following statements best describes the term 'Social Cost of Carbon' ? It is a measure, in monetary value, of the

  1. (a)long-term damage done by a tonne of CO₂ emissions in a given year.
  2. (b)requirement of fossil fuels for a country to provide goods and services to its citizens, based on the burning of those fuels.
  3. (c)efforts put in by a climate refugee to adapt to live in a new place.
  4. (d)contribution of an individual person to the carbon footprint on the planet Earth.
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Official answer(a) long-term damage done by a tonne of CO₂ emissions in a given year.

2020 · Q91Environment & EcologySustainable Agriculture & Forestrymoderate

What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture ? 1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible. 2. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible. 3. Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible. 4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

2020 · Q98Environment & EcologyWater & Wetland Conservationmoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or “critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). 2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act. 3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

2019 · Q25Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gaseseasy

In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?

  1. (a)Creating the artificial rains in some regions
  2. (b)Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
  3. (c)Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth
  4. (d)Reducing the global warming
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Official answer(d) Reducing the global warming

2019 · Q27Environment & EcologyProtected Areas & Wildlifemoderate

Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?

  1. (a)Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
  2. (b)Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Silent Valley National Park
  3. (c)Kaundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram and Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Mukurthi National Park
  4. (d)Kawal and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
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Official answer(a) Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

2019 · Q34Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of 'methane hydrate'? 1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits. 2. Large deposits of 'methane hydrate' are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor. 3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  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

2019 · Q40Environment & EcologyInternational Environmental Treaties & Summitsmoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India. 2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention. 3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

2019 · Q55Environment & EcologyForest Rightsmoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas. 2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce. 3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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