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MPPSC 2014 — Environment Questions with Answers
All 22 Environment previous-year questions from MPPSC 2014, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.
Practice Environment as a timed test →- Q1.Sustainable Agriculture
What are the significances of a practical approach to sugarcane production known as 'Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative'?
- a)1 and 3 only
- b)1, 2 and 4 only
- c)2, 3 and 4 only
- d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative lowers seed cost, suits drip irrigation and allows more intercropping, but does not eliminate fertilizer use entirely, so statements 1, 2 and 4 hold.
- Q2.Wetland Conservation
If a wetland of international importance is brought under the 'Montreux Record', what does it imply?
- a)Ecological character has changed, is changing or is likely to change as a result of human interference.
- b)The country where the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit human activities within a radius of five kilometers from the core of the wetland.
- c)The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural traditions of certain communities living around it and therefore its cultural diversity should not be destroyed.
- d)It has been given the status of 'World Heritage Site'.
Explanation: The Montreux Record lists Ramsar wetlands where ecological character has changed, is changing or is likely to change due to human interference.
- Q3.Conservation Organizations
With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements:
- a)1 and 3 only
- b)2 only
- c)2 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: BNHS is a non-governmental organization, not an autonomous body under MoEF, but it does conduct research, education and nature trails, so only statements 2 and 3 are correct.
- Q4.Environmental Institutions
With reference to 'Global Environment Facility', which of the following statements is/are correct?
- a)It serves as financial mechanism for 'Convention on Biological Diversity' and 'UN Framework Convention on Climate Change'.
- b)It undertakes scientific research on environmental issues at global level.
- c)It is an agency under OECD to facilitate the transfer of technology and funds to underdeveloped countries for their environmental protection.
- d)Both (a) and (b)
Explanation: The Global Environment Facility acts as the financial mechanism for several conventions including the CBD and UNFCCC.
- Q5.Conservation Organizations
With reference to a conservation organization called 'Wetlands International', which of the following statements is/are correct?
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Wetlands International is a non-governmental, not intergovernmental, body; it does work at field level to mobilize knowledge for better policies, so only statement 2 is correct.
- Q6.Biology
Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms? 1. Continental drift 2. Glacial cycles
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Both continental drift and glacial cycles have shaped the evolution of organisms by altering geography and climate.
- Q7.Wildlife Conservation
Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1, 3 and 4 only
- d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: Dams/barrages, accidental net entanglement and agricultural chemicals all threaten Gangetic dolphins; crocodile population rise is not a recognised cause, so 1, 3 and 4 are correct.
- Q8.Pollution
Brominated flame retardants are used in many household products like mattresses and upholstery. Why is there some concern about their use?
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Brominated flame retardants are persistent in the environment and bioaccumulate in humans and animals, so both concerns are valid.
- Q9.Biogeochemical Cycles
Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth? 1. Volcanic action 2. Respiration 3. Photosynthesis 4. Decay of organic matter
- a)1 and 3 only
- b)2 only
- c)1, 2 and 4 only
- d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: Volcanic action, respiration and decay of organic matter release CO2; photosynthesis removes it, so 1, 2 and 4 are correct.
- Q10.Biodiversity
If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds? 1. Painted Stork 2. Common Myna 3. Black-necked Crane
- a)1 and 2
- b)2 only
- c)2 and 3
- d)3 only
Explanation: The Common Myna follows cattle to catch disturbed insects; the others do not exhibit this behaviour.
- Q11.Ecology
Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of
- a)Algae and bacteria
- b)Algae and fungi
- c)Bacteria and fungi
- d)Fungi and moss
Explanation: Lichens are a symbiotic association of algae and fungi.
- Q12.Pollution
Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India? 1. Oxides of sulphur 2. Oxides of nitrogen 3. Carbon monoxide 4. Carbon dioxide
- a)1, 3 and 4 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 4 only
- d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: The steel industry releases oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, so all four are correct.
- Q13.Tribal Practices
Every year, a monthlong ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?
- a)Bhutia and Lepcha
- b)Gond and Korku
- c)Irula and Toda
- d)Sahariya and Agariya
Explanation: The Gond and Korku tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees during their month-long campaign.
- Q14.Marine Ecology
Which of the following have coral reefs? 1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 2. Gulf of Kachchh 3. Gulf of Mannar 4. Sunderbans
- a)1, 2 and 3 only
- b)2 and 4 only
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: Coral reefs occur in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Kachchh and Gulf of Mannar, but not the Sunderbans, so 1, 2 and 3 are correct.
- Q15.Conservation
The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of
- a)Biosphere Reserve
- b)Botanical Garden
- c)National Park
- d)Wildlife Sanctuary
Explanation: Biosphere reserves best conserve biodiversity together with traditional human life.
- Q16.Climate Change
The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2 degC above pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3 degC above the pre-industrial level, what can be its possible impact/impacts on the world?
- a)1 only
- b)1 and 2 only
- c)2, 3 and 4 only
- d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: Beyond 3 degC warming, the terrestrial biosphere can become a net carbon source and widespread coral mortality occurs, so only 1 and 2 are correct.
- Q17.Watershed Management
What are the benefits of implementing the 'Integrated Watershed Development Programme'? 1. Prevention of soil runoff 2. Linking the country's perennial rivers with seasonal rivers 3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table 4. Regeneration of natural vegetation
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)2, 3 and 4 only
- c)1, 3 and 4 only
- d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: The Integrated Watershed Development Programme prevents soil runoff, aids rainwater harvesting/recharge and regenerates vegetation, so 1, 3 and 4 are correct.
- Q18.International Conventions
Consider the following international agreements: 1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture 2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 3. The World Heritage Convention. Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)3 only
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: All three agreements have a bearing on biodiversity.
- Q19.Climate Awareness
Consider the following statements regarding 'Earth Hour': 1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO. 2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year. 3. It is a movement to raise the awareness about the climate change and the need to save the planet.
- a)1 and 3 only
- b)2 only
- c)2 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Earth Hour is a WWF movement of switching off lights for an hour to raise climate awareness; it is not a UNEP/UNESCO initiative, so only 2 and 3 are correct.
- Q20.Ecology
Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?
- a)Diatom–Crustaceans–Herring
- b)Crustaceans–Diatom–Herring
- c)Diatom–Herring–Crustaceans
- d)Crustaceans–Herring–Diatom
Explanation: The correct food chain sequence is Diatoms-Crustaceans-Herrings.
- Q21.Conservation
With reference to 'Eco-Sensitive Zones', which of the following statements is/are correct?
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Eco-Sensitive Zones are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, not the Wildlife Act, and they regulate rather than ban all activity, so neither statement is correct.
- Q22.Environmental Bodies
Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body. 3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)2 only
- d)1 and 3 only
Explanation: NTCA is a statutory body and the Ganga authority is chaired by the PM, but the Animal Welfare Board was set up under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, so 2 and 3 are correct.
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