Environment – Miscellaneous Notes with PDF

These notes are your ultimate revision weapon to revise Environment – Miscellaneous Topics. We’ve distilled years of previous exam questions (PYQs) into one powerful, concise resource. Everything you need to know, nothing you don’t.

• PYQs, Decoded: All key concepts from past exams, organized and simplified.
• Revise in Record Time: Short, precise, and designed for last-minute review.
• Focus on What Matters: Master high-probability topics and boost your confidence.
• Free PDF to download.

Indian Research Stations in Antarctica

• Dakshin Gangotri
  • It was India’s first research station in Antarctica.
  • It serves as a supply base and a transit stop.
• Maitri
  • It is India’s second research station.
  • It was established in 1988-89.
  • It is one of India’s two currently active stations.
• Bharati
  • It is India’s third research station.
  • It was commissioned in 2012.
  • It is one of India’s two currently active stations, along with Maitri.

International Environmental Agreements & Initiatives

• Agenda 21
  • It is a non-binding action plan of the United Nations for sustainable development.
  • Its focus is on conserving the global environment in the 21st century.
  • It was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
• Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now
  • It is an initiative launched by the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) Secretariat.
  • The goal is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Environmental Issues and Causes

• Ozone Layer Depletion
  • The Ozone Hole is primarily caused by Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
  • Depletion of the ozone layer increases exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) light, which is a cause of Skin Cancer.
• Global Warming
  • A primary cause is the increase in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels.
• Noise Pollution
  • It is measured in Decibels.
• Tsunamis
  • They are primarily the result of marine earthquakes.
  • Other causes can include underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions, or meteorite impacts.

Indian Environmental Institutions & Locations

• Research and Management Institutes
  • Forest Research Institute (FRI) is located in Dehradun.
  • Wild Life Institute of India (WLI) is located in Dehradun.
  • Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute is located in Jhansi.
  • Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) is located in Jodhpur.
  • Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) is located in New Delhi.
  • Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) is located in Bhopal (not Kolkata).
• Health and Nutrition Institutes
  • National Institute of Nutrition is located in Hyderabad.
  • National Institute of Ayurveda is located in Jaipur.
  • National Institute of Naturopathy is located in Pune.
• Other Centers
  • Centre for Ecological Science (CES) is located in Bengaluru.
  • G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development is located in Almora.

Environmental Movements and Awards in India

• Famous Environmental Movements
  • Chipko Movement was led by Sunderlal Bahuguna.
  • Save Narmada Movement (Narmada Bachao Andolan) was led by Medha Patkar.
  • Appiko Movement was led by Pandurang Hegde.
  • Silent Valley Movement was associated with Dr. Salim Ali (not Baba Amte).
• Awards
  • Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar is awarded for significant contribution to the field of environment.

Miscellaneous Environmental Facts

• Koppen Climate Classification
  • It is associated with the statement: “Vegetation is the true index of climate.”
• Ecomark
  • It is a Government of India initiative started in 1991.
  • The ECOMARK symbol identifies products that are environmentally safe.
• International Collaboration
  • The Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KSLCDI) is a collaboration among India, China, and Nepal.
• Legal & Administrative
  • NGT stands for National Green Tribunal.
  • It was established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act for the effective disposal of cases related to environmental protection.

Important International Days & Events

UN-Observed Days

• World Habitat Day: Observed on the first Monday of October every year. It was officially designated by the UN and first celebrated in 1986.
• World Toilet Day: Observed on November 19. It was officially designated by the UN in 2013 to highlight the importance of sanitation.
• World Environment Day: Celebrated on June 5.
• World Ozone Day: Celebrated on September 16.
• World Water Day: Celebrated on March 22.
• World Population Day: Celebrated on July 11.

Other Significant Days

• World Anti-Tobacco Day / World No Tobacco Day: Celebrated annually on May 31 to advocate against tobacco use.
• World Earth Day: Celebrated on April 22.
• World Forestry Day: Celebrated on March 21.
• World Cities Day: Celebrated on October 31.

Major International Conferences

• COP21 (UN Climate Change Conference, 2015): Held in Paris, France. It led to the Paris Agreement.

Indian Institutions & Initiatives

Environmental & Agricultural Institutes

• National Centre for Marine Biodiversity (NCMB): India’s first NCMB is located in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Its purpose is to conserve coastal and marine biodiversity.
• Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI): Located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It was established in 1959 under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment: Located in New Delhi. It was established on June 5 (World Environment Day), 1980.

Government Initiatives & Acts

• Swachh Bharat Mission: Launched officially by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti), 2014.
• AGMARK Act: Came into force in India in 1937. It is a certification mark for assuring the quality of agricultural produce.
• Domestic Content Requirement (DCR): A policy linked to the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission to promote domestic manufacturing in solar power production.
• Rally for Valley: An initiative focused on the resettlement of people displaced from the Narmada Valley.

Awards, Species, and Natural Resources

Awards

• Borlaug Award: Given for outstanding contributions in the field of Agriculture. It is named after Norman Borlaug, the “father of the Green Revolution”.

National Symbols

• National Aquatic Animal of India: The Gangetic Dolphin. It was declared on May 18, 2010, and symbolizes the purity of the Ganges River.

Natural Resources & Materials

• Natural Gas: Its main component is Methane.
• Helium: An inert gas used to fill weather balloons for meteorological science dispatches.

Geology & Paleontology in India

Fossil Parks

• National Dinosaur Fossil Park: Proposed to be set up in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.
• Significance of Dhar District: Over 100 dinosaur eggs, estimated to be 65-70 million years old, were discovered here in 2006.

United Nations Agencies

UN-Habitat

• Mandate: Promoted by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities and provide adequate shelter for all.
• Partners: Works with a wide range of partners, including governments, local urban authorities, and private and non-governmental organizations (not just governments).
• Objective: Contributes to the UN system’s goal of reducing poverty and promoting access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

Environment & Ecology

Invasive Species

• Prosopis juliflora is a non-native (alien) plant species.
• It is known for reducing biodiversity in the areas where it grows by destroying native plants and animals.

Conservation & Improvement

• Afforestation (planting trees) improves human life by:
  • Creating green spaces.
  • Reducing air pollution.
  • Mitigating global warming.
  • Providing oxygen.
  • Slowing down soil erosion.
• National Parks and their States:
  • Kaziranga National Park is located in Assam.
  • Gir National Park is located in Gujarat.
  • Kanha National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Corbett National Park is located in Uttarakhand (formerly Uttaranchal).

Pollution Control

• The Sita Ashok tree is particularly useful for preventing dust pollution because its glossy leaves are less likely to accumulate dust.
• The Ringelmann scale is a measurement tool used to determine the density or opacity of smoke.

Agriculture & Animal Husbandry

Animal Breeds

• Bhadawari is a breed of Buffalo.
• Sindhi is a breed of Cow.
• Jamunapari is a breed of Goat.
• Tharparkar is a breed of Cattle (Cow), not Sheep.

Science & Technology

Remote Sensing

• LANDSAT is a satellite program for Earth observation.
• Due to a satellite’s orbit and revolution around the Earth, data for an adjacent area to the west of a recently imaged area will be available after a fixed number of days at the same local time.

Natural Resources

Marine Resources

• Seaweeds are a major and important natural source of Iodine. Other sources include seafood and dairy products.

International Agreements & Organizations

Agenda 21

• A non-binding, voluntary action plan for sustainable development created by the United Nations.
• It is divided into 4 distinct parts or agreements.

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

• Its primary goal is to eliminate chemical weapons and prevent their re-emergence.
• It monitors the global chemical industry to prevent new weapons from being developed.
• It provides assistance and protection to member states against chemical weapons threats.
• It works to promote the peaceful use of chemistry.
• Its membership covers 98% of the world’s population, landmass, and chemical industry.
• It is not an organization of the European Union.

R2 Code of Practices

• A set of guidelines that serves as a tool for promoting environmentally responsible practices in the electronics recycling industry.
• Companies can be certified for following these practices.

Ramsar Convention

• The ‘R2 Code of Practices’ is not related to the ecological management of wetlands under the Ramsar Convention.

International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR)

• The United Nations declared the decade of 1991-2000 as the IDNDR.
• Its aim was to reduce loss of life, destruction, and economic disruption caused by natural disasters.

Indian Government Initiatives & Bodies

Green India Mission (GIM)

• A national mission under India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change.
• Its main aim is to protect, restore, and enhance India’s forest cover.
• It responds to climate change through a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures.
• It is not related to green accounting or launching a second green revolution for food security.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) vs. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

• NGT: Established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act. It is a specialized judicial body that provides environmental justice and helps reduce the litigation burden in higher courts.
• CPCB: Established in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. It is a statutory organization that promotes cleanliness of streams and wells and aims to improve air quality.
• Difference: Both were established by Acts of Parliament, not by executive order. The key difference is their function: NGT is a tribunal for justice, while CPCB is a regulatory body for pollution control.

Disaster Management in India

• The Disaster Management Act was passed in 2005 and came into force in January 2006.
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Formed on September 27, 2006. It is headed by the Prime Minister and is responsible for laying down policies and guidelines for disaster management.
• State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA): Established by the Governor of a state under Section 14(1) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It is headed by the Chief Minister.
• District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA): Headed by the District Magistrate/Collector.
• National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): Located in New Delhi. It was created in 1995 and given statutory status by the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• SRIJAN (Disaster Management Knowledge-cum-Demonstration Center): Its functions include creating knowledge centers, creating awareness, and providing local need-based information on disasters.

Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award

• Given to industrial units for outstanding contribution to the development and use of clean technology that helps reduce or prevent pollution.

Awards & Recognition

Tyler Prize

• A prestigious international award given for achievements in the field of environmental science, health, and energy.

Global 500 Award

• Instituted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1987.
• Given for outstanding achievements in the protection of the environment.

General Environmental Facts

Natural Disasters

• Developing countries typically suffer the maximum damage from natural disasters.
• The Bhopal gas tragedy is classified as a man-made disaster.
• Mangroves help reduce the impact of cyclones.
• Reconstruction is a key post-disaster measure.
• India is not a disaster-free country; it is vulnerable to a variety of natural disasters, with floods being the most common.

Biodiversity

• A Mega-diverse country is one that harbors the majority of the Earth’s species.
• Examples include the USA, Mexico, Brazil, India, China, Australia, and others.

National Cleanliness Day

• Sierra Leone celebrates National Cleanliness Day on the last Saturday of every month.

Paleontology

• Montana, USA, is known as the “graveyard of dinosaurs.”

Environmental Schemes, Regulations, and Movements

Eco-Labeling and Certification

• Eco Mark Scheme:
  • Launched in India in 1991.
  • Aims to encourage consumers to buy products with less harmful environmental impact.
  • Excludes drugs and antibiotics from its list of notified consumer products.
• Blue Flag Certification:
  • A prestigious international certification for beaches.
  • Eight Indian beaches were recommended for this certification in 2020.
  • These beaches are: Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod & Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar), and Golden beach (Odisha).

Food Safety and Labelling

• Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011:
  • Mandates that the main label of pre-packaged items in India must include:
    • List of ingredients (including additives).
    • Nutrition information.
    • Vegetarian/Non-vegetarian designation.

Environmental Movements

• Mitti Bachao (Save the Soil) Movement:
  • Started in 1977 in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • Initiated to protest against the construction of the Tawa Hydropower Project.

Protected Areas and Biodiversity

National Parks and Sanctuaries

• Marine National Park:
  • Located in the Gulf of Kutch, Jamnagar district, Gujarat.
  • It is India’s first marine national park and consists of 42 islands.
• Bhitarkanika:
  • A region in the Kendrapara district of Odisha.
  • Known for its lush green mangrove vegetation.
  • It has been included in the list of World Heritage Sites.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries and their States:
  • Namdapha: Arunachal Pradesh
  • Bandipur: Karnataka
  • Periyar: Kerala
  • Lamjao: Manipur

Species Conservation

• Asian Rhinos:
  • The five rhino range nations that signed the “New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019” are: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
• Common Myna:
  • A bird known to follow cattle to seize insects disturbed by their movement through grasses.

Important Personalities and Organizations

• Dr. M.S. Swaminathan:
  • Recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the ‘Father of Economic Ecology’.
• Dr. Salim Ali:
  • A renowned Indian ornithologist and naturalist, known as the ‘Birdman of India’.
• Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS):
  • A pan-India organization dedicated to nature conservation since 1883.
  • It is not an autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
  • Its activities include research, education, public awareness, and organizing nature trails and camps.

Ecology and Environmental Science

Ecological Concepts

• Monoclimax Theory:
  • Propounded by F.E. Clements.
  • Proposes that in a given region, there is one climax community towards which all other ecosystems are evolving, determined primarily by climate.
• Net Primary Productivity:
  • Temperate grasslands have the lowest mean net primary productivity among the given options (approx. 500 g/cm²/year).

Plants and Weeds

• Himalayan Nettle (Girardinia diversifolia):
  • Gaining recognition as a sustainable source of textile fibre.
• Loquat:
  • Classified as an evergreen fruit plant, commonly found in Japan.
• Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes):
  • Considered the world’s most problematic aquatic weed due to its rapid growth and severe environmental impact.

Geography and Atmosphere

Indian Geography & Phenomena

• Glaciation in India:
  • Glaciation of peninsular India occurred during the Pleistocene Ice Age.
• Winterline:
  • A natural phenomenon observed in Mussoorie (and Switzerland) from October to January during sunset.
• Forest Cover:
  • Madhya Pradesh has the maximum area under teak forest and the largest forest cover in India.

Atmosphere and Monitoring

• SODAR (Sonic Detection and Ranging):
  • A meteorological instrument used to measure wind speed at various heights.
  • In India, it is installed at Kaiga, Kalpakkam, Tarapur, and Trombay.
• World Ozone Day:
  • Celebrated annually on September 16.
  • Commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

Miscellaneous

• World’s Largest Charkha:
  • Inaugurated in Noida.
  • Constructed from used plastic waste.
  • Inaugurated on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.

Know More About Environment – Miscellaneous Topics:

• Environment – Miscellaneous Topics – Old Year Questions
• Environment – Miscellaneous Topics One Liner Questions & Answers