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UPSC CSE Prelims 2016 — Environment Questions with Answers
All 20 Environment previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Prelims 2016, 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.Climate Change
The term 'Intended Nationally Determined Contributions' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
- a)pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East
- b)plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change
- c)capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
- d)plan of action by the countries of the world regarding the Sustainable Development Goals
Explanation: INDCs are the climate action plans each country submitted under the UNFCCC/Paris framework to combat climate change. Hence option (b).
- Q2.Conservation Conventions
What is/are the importance/importances of the 'United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification'?
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: UNCCD promotes action via national programmes and partnerships (1) and uses a bottom-up, participatory approach (3). It focuses primarily on Africa (not specifically South Asia and North Africa as in statement 2), so 2 is wrong. Hence 1 and 3 only.
- Q3.Biodiversity
In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the 'Great Indian Hornbill' in its natural habitat?
- a)Sandy deserts of North-West India
- b)Higher Himalayan regions of Jammu and Kashmir
- c)Salt marshes of Gujarat
- d)Western Ghats
Explanation: The Great Indian Hornbill inhabits dense moist forests, prominently the Western Ghats. Hence option (d).
- Q4.River Conservation
Which of the following are the key features of 'National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)'?
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: NGRBA adopted the river basin as the planning unit (1) and led national river conservation efforts (2). Its Chairman was the Prime Minister (not a rotating Chief Minister), so 3 is wrong. Hence 1 and 2 only.
- Q5.Agriculture
The FAO accords the status of 'Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)' to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative?
- a)1 and 3 only
- b)2 only
- c)2 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: GIAHS aims to identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farming systems, their landscapes, agro-biodiversity and local knowledge. It does not push modern methods (1) or grant GI status (3). Hence only 2.
- Q6.Climate Change
Consider the following pairs (Terms sometimes seen in the news : Their origin):
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Annex-I countries and Certified Emission Reductions originate from the UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol (not Cartagena or Nagoya, which deal with biosafety/biodiversity), so 1 and 2 are wrong. CDM is from the Kyoto Protocol (3 correct). Hence only 3.
- Q7.Climate Missions
Which of the following best describes/describe the aim of 'Green India Mission' of the Government of India?
- a)1 only
- b)2 and 3 only
- c)3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: The Green India Mission (under NAPCC) aims to restore/enhance forest cover and address climate change through adaptation and mitigation. Green accounting (1) and a second green revolution (2) are not its objectives. Hence only 3.
- Q8.Biodiversity
What is/are unique about 'Kharai camel', a breed found in India?
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)3 only
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: The Kharai camel of Gujarat can swim in seawater and grazes on mangroves (1 and 2 correct). It is domesticated by herders, so 3 is wrong. Hence 1 and 2 only.
- Q9.Biodiversity
Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered?
- a)Andaman Island
- b)Anamalai Hills
- c)Meghalaya Hills
- d)Eastern Tropical Rainforest
Explanation: The tall banana species Musa indandamanensis with orange pulp was discovered in the Andaman Islands. Hence option (a).
- Q10.Biodiversity
With reference to an initiative called 'The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)', which of the following statements is/are correct?
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)3 only
- c)2 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: TEEB is hosted by UNEP (not jointly by IMF and WEF), so 1 is wrong. It highlights the economic benefits of biodiversity (2) and helps decision-makers value ecosystems (3). Hence 2 and 3 only.
- Q11.Indian Flora
With reference to 'Red Sanders', sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Red Sanders is endemic to part of South India (the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh), so 1 is correct. It grows in dry, rocky terrain, not tropical rain forests, so 2 is wrong. Hence only 1.
- Q12.Climate Change
Which of the following statements is/are correct? Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)3 only
- c)2 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Well-designed REDD+ implementation can contribute to biodiversity protection, forest ecosystem resilience and poverty reduction. All three are correct.
- Q13.Climate Change
What is 'Greenhouse Gas Protocol'?
- a)It is an international accounting tool for governments and businesses to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
- b)It is a UN initiative to provide financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt forest-friendly technologies.
- c)It is an intergovernmental agreement endorsed by all member states of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a specified level by 2022.
- d)It is one of the multilateral REDD+ programmes funded by the World Bank.
Explanation: The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is an international accounting tool that helps governments and businesses understand, quantify and manage their GHG emissions. Hence option (a).
- Q14.Sustainable Development
With reference to 'Agenda 21', sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: Agenda 21 is a global action plan for sustainable development (1 correct), but it originated at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, not the 2002 Johannesburg Summit, so 2 is wrong. Hence only 1.
- Q15.Conservation
'Gadgil Committee Report' and 'Kasturirangan Committee Report', sometimes seen in the news, are related to
- a)Constitutional reforms
- b)Ganga Action Plan
- c)Interlinking of rivers
- d)Conservation of Western Ghats
Explanation: Both the Gadgil and Kasturirangan committee reports dealt with the ecological protection of the Western Ghats. Hence option (d).
- Q16.Climate Change
With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- a)1 and 3 only
- b)2 only
- c)2 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Only statement 2 (the 2 C / 1.5 C temperature goal) is correct. Statement 1 (universal signing and 2017 effect) and statement 3 ($1000 billion a year) misstate the Agreement. Hence only 2.
- Q17.Sustainable Development
Consider the following statements:
- a)1 only
- b)2 only
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: The SDGs were adopted by the UN in 2015 (not proposed by the Club of Rome in 1972), so 1 is wrong. They are to be achieved by 2030 (2 correct). Hence only 2.
- Q18.Pollution
In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?
- a)1, 2 and 3 only
- b)2, 3 and 4 only
- c)1, 4 and 5 only
- d)1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Explanation: The AQI considers pollutants such as CO, NO2 and SO2 (along with particulates, ozone, etc.). CO2 and methane are not part of the AQI. Hence 2, 3 and 4 only.
- Q19.Biodiversity
Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following States has declared a particular butterfly as 'State Butterfly'?
- a)Bonded labour
- b)Land grants given to military officers
- c)Water-wheel used for irrigation of land
- d)Barren land converted into agricultural land
Explanation: Maharashtra became the first State to declare a State Butterfly (the Blue Mormon). Hence option (d).
- Q20.Energy Efficiency
On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label?
- a)1 and 2 only
- b)3 only
- c)2 and 3 only
- d)1, 2 and 3
Explanation: The BEE Star Label appears on ceiling fans, electric geysers and tubular fluorescent lamps (all of which are covered appliances). Hence 1, 2 and 3.
UPSC CSE Prelims 2016 — other subjects
Environment — other years
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