IAS Enviornment & Biodiversity Test - 4

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
Burning of biomass does not increase atmospheric carbon dioxide because to begin with biomass was formed by atmospheric carbon dioxide and the same amount of carbon dioxide is released on burning.

ANSWER: Biomass < Solar < Small hydro plants < Wind energy

Explanation:
Solar-9.06%; Small hydro plants-11.8%; Biomass-4.04%; Wind energy-66.48%

ANSWER: 5%

Explanation:
The procurement price of ethanol is to be decided between the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and suppliers of ethanol. OMCs are implementing the EBP programme in the notified 20 States and 4 Union Territories as per availability of Ethanol.

ANSWER: Shirdi

Explanation:
Food is cooked for almost 20,000 people per day. Shirdi Temple is in Maharashtra and is a temple of Shri Sai Baba.

ANSWER: None of the above

Explanation:
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) uses the temperature difference between cooler deep and warmer shallow or surface seawaters to run a heat engine and produce useful work, usually in the form of electricity. However, since the temperature differential is small, the efficiency is low, decreasing the economic feasibility of ocean thermal energy for electricity generation. It needs a working fluid with low boiling point and hence refrigerants like ammonia or R-134a are used. In some cases vapor given out by seawater itself is used. Currently the world’s only operating OTEC plant is in Japan, overseen by Saga University. In 2002, India tested a 1 MW floating OTEC pilot plant near Tamil Nadu. The plant was ultimately unsuccessful due to a failure of the deep sea cold water pipe.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
This is meeting of parties to CBD. It is held every 2 years unlike yearly conferences of UNFCCC.

ANSWER: Desert in India

Explanation:
The Thar Desert has no oasis, native cactus or palm trees. It had sheep, goats and camels, Asiatic wild ass, deer species like the black buck and the Indian Gazelle, common Indian hare, red lynx, jackal and wild dog, etc.

ANSWER: Village communities showing courage for protection of forests and wildlife

Explanation:
She was from the Bishnoi tribe of Rajasthan who gave her life for protecting the trees from getting cut. This is said to have happened around the mid-eighteenth century. Even today, the Bishnoi’s continue to protect the nature. The Government of India has instituted the award in her honor given to village communities showing valor and courage.

ANSWER: Gulf of Mannar

Explanation:
It is famous for sea cow (dugong). India has 18 biosphere reserves. Out of these, 9 are recognized by the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by the UNESCO. Gulf of Mannar is a recognized site.

ANSWER: 3 categories

Explanation:
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) (formerly known as International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, IUCN) has recognized eight Red List categories according to the conservation status of species. They are – Extinct, Extinct in the wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Lower risk, Data deficient and Not evaluated. Threatened has three categories I it - Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
All these states have mangorves forests. India has about 7% of world’s total mangrove area. The largest area is in Sunderbans.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Agreements 2 and 3 have a bearing on forests. REDD is Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Man and Biosphere programme conserves forest by declaring them as protected areas or as biosphere reserves.

ANSWER: None of the Above

Explanation:
Extractive forests are protected forests and allow the local communities to harvest products in a way that do not harm the forests. The objective is to improve the lives while conserving the biodiversity

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
FPC also has village officials. The FPC has rights over minor produce like leaves, twigs and fallen branches. The JFM is for working closely with the local communities in protection and management of forest resources. The FPC’s responsibilities include – Protection against grazing, Prevention of fires and thefts of forest produce, Development of forests according to the management plan, etc.

ANSWER: Bhutan

Explanation:
Out of total area of Bhutan, around 72% is under forest cover and Bhutan has taken positive steps in conserving its biodiversity. The government is determined to maintain a forest cover of atleast 60% with cooperation of the local communities.

ANSWER: Only 1 and 2

Explanation:
PETA is the largest organization for animal rights and it operates in India too. It stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Other organizations are SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Beauty without cruelty, People for Animals, etc.

ANSWER: None of the Above

Explanation:
Currently there are 112 National Parks as per 2012 data. In national parks traditional activities like grazing and fuel wood collection are not allowed whereas in wildlife sanctuaries some specified activities are allowed.

ANSWER: Only 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:
2, 4 and 5 are endangered species.

ANSWER: Exploitation of indigenous knowledge without proper compensation

Explanation:
Traditional communities all over the world possess extensive knowledge about local plants species and their medicinal values. Outsiders can use this knowledge to their benefit and not share the benefits and compensation with the communities. India is taking steps to avoid such loss of our traditional knowledge. There were cases of biopiracy of neem and basmati rice patenting.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is located in Wandur National Park in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch is the first marine national park of India. Rani Jhansi Marine National Park is in Ritchie’s Archipelago in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is from the east coast of Tamil Nadu consists small islands (islets) and coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar in the Indian Ocean.

ANSWER: Corbett National Park

Explanation:
It is in state of Uttarakhand. It was established in 1936. It was earlier known as Hailey National Park.

ANSWER: None of the above

Explanation:
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. Currently there are 35 hotspots. In India there are two – Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
In-situ (on-site) conservation includes the protection of plants and animals within their natural habitats or in protected areas. Protected areas are land or sea dedicated to protect and maintain biodiversity. Also in-situ conservation can be of various types – protection of habitats; Species-oriented projects; sacred forests and sacred lakes. On farm techniques are used to conserve agro-biodiversity.

ANSWER: All non-domesticated flora and fauna native to an area

Explanation:
Wildlife is not just in the forests but is found everywhere – in our homes, gardens and fields. The snake in our garden and scorpion entering the house are all part of wildlife.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
Biodiversity includes genetic diversity within species, the variety among species, and the range of ecosystems within which life exists and interacts. Seventy per cent of the world's species is found in just 12 countries: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico and Peru. The entire Hindu Kush–Himalayan belt has an estimated 25,000 plant species, comprising 10 per cent of the world's flora.