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UPSC CSE Prelims 2019 — Environment Questions with Answers

All 14 Environment previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Prelims 2019, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Forest Laws

   With reference to the recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, consider the bamboo provisions and forest dwellers' rights:

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: Bamboo growing outside forest areas was reclassified as grass and can be felled by forest dwellers, so the provision is correctly captured (key answer A).

2. Q2.Pollution

   Consider the following statements about coal in India:

   • a)1 only
   • b)1, 2 and 3
   • c)3 only
   • d)2 and 3 only

   Explanation: Coal ash carries toxic metals, coal-fired plants emit SO2 and NOx, and Indian coal is high in ash, so all three statements are correct (key answer B maps to the intended option).

3. Q3.Marine Ecology

   Consider the following statements about coral reefs:

   • a)1 and 2 only
   • b)3 only
   • c)1, 2 and 3
   • d)1 and 3 only

   Explanation: Most coral reefs are in tropical waters, a large share lies around Australia-Indonesia-Philippines, and reefs host more animal phyla than rainforests, so all three statements are correct.

4. Q4.Protected Areas

   In which of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?

   • a)The rate of poverty varies from state to state
   • b)The price level varies from state to state
   • c)The Gross State Product varies from state to state
   • d)The quality of public distribution varies from state to state

   Explanation: Pakhui (Pakke) Wildlife Sanctuary, a tiger reserve, is located in Arunachal Pradesh.

5. Q5.Wildlife

   Consider the following statements about species naturally found only in India:

   • a)The decisions taken by the Election Commission of India while discharging its duties cannot be challenged in any court of law.
   • b)In the event of grave financial crisis in the country, the President of India can declare Financial Emergency without the counsel from the Cabinet.
   • c)The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by laws made by the Parliament.
   • d)State Legislatures cannot make laws on certain matters without the concurrence of Union Legislature.

   Explanation: Only the Asiatic lion is naturally found in India alone; double-humped camels and one-horned rhinoceros occur in other countries too, so only the lion statement is correct.

6. Q6.Pollution

   In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as?

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: Carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos are hazardous pesticides used in agriculture, which is why their use raises concern.

7. Q7.Wetlands

   Consider the following statements about wetlands and the Ramsar Convention:

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: The Ramsar Convention does not make protection of all wetlands mandatory, but the 2010 Rules were framed accordingly and cover catchment areas, so only statements 2 and 3 are correct (key answer C maps to the intended option).

8. Q8.International Initiatives

   Consider the following statements about the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC):

   • a)1 and 2
   • b)1, 3 and 4
   • c)3, 4 and 5
   • d)2 and 5

   Explanation: The CCAC is not a UN Environment-World Bank initiative, but it does focus on short-lived climate pollutants like methane and black carbon, so only the second statement is correct (key answer C maps to the intended option).

9. Q9.Forest Rights

   Consider the following statements about Critical Wildlife Habitat and habitat rights:

   • a)Maintenance of law and order
   • b)Paying taxes
   • c)Registering property
   • d)Dealing with construction permits

   Explanation: Critical Wildlife Habitat is defined in the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and the Baiga community was the first to receive habitat rights, so both statements are correct (key answer A).

10. Q10.Biosphere Reserves

    Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?

    • a)The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998
    • b)The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999
    • c)The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
    • d)The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011

    Explanation: The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve includes the Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries and the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

11. Q11.Pollution

    Why is there a great concern about the 'microbeads' that are released into environment?

    • a)transportation cost only
    • b)interest cost only
    • c)procurement incidentals and distribution cost
    • d)procurement incidentals and charges for godowns

    Explanation: Microbeads are tiny plastic particles harmful to marine ecosystems, which is the main reason for concern, so only that statement is correct (key answer C maps to the intended option).

12. Q12.Climate Change

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

    • a)1 and 3 only
    • b)2, 3 and 4 only
    • c)2 and 4 only
    • d)1, 2, 3 and 4

    Explanation: Cirrus cloud thinning and stratospheric sulphate aerosol injection are proposed geoengineering techniques aimed at reducing global warming.

13. Q13.Wildlife

    Consider the following pairs of wildlife and where they are naturally found, and identify the correctly matched ones:

    • a)Spices
    • b)Fresh fruits
    • c)Pulses
    • d)Vegetable oils

    Explanation: The blue-finned Mahseer is found in the Cauvery and the rusty-spotted cat in the Eastern Ghats, but the Irrawaddy dolphin is not naturally found in the Chambal, so only pairs 1 and 3 are correct (key answer D maps to the intended option).

14. Q14.Biology

    Consider the following statements about animal diet and reproduction:

    • a)Curbing imports of non-essential goods and promoting exports
    • b)Encouraging Indian borrowers to issue rupee denominated Masala Bonds
    • c)Easing conditions relating to external commercial borrowing
    • d)Following an expansionary monetary policy

    Explanation: Some turtles, fish and marine mammals are herbivores and some snakes give birth to live young, so all four statements are correct (key answer B maps to the intended option).