Environment and Sustainable Development – Old Year Questions

  • ‘Silent Spring’ book published in 1962, written by ‘Rachel Carson’.
    The Brundtland Report, published in 1987 by United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), coined the term “Sustainable Development” in the report titled “Our Common Future”.
  • Publication of ‘The Limit to Growth’ Report 1972. The Club of Rome suggested the idea of ‘Limits to Growth’.
    Adoption of Montreal Protocol September, 1987

    •  Share of various gases in the composition of air is as follows:
    • Nitrogen (N2 ) 78.08%
    • Oxygen (O2 ) 20.95%
    • Argon (Ar) 0.93%
    • Carbon dioxide (Co2 ) 0.036%
    • Neon (Ne) 0.002%
    • Helium (He) 0.0005%
    • Krypton 0.001%
    • Xenon 0.00009%
    • Hydrogen 0.00005%
  • The United Nations has identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals which have to be realised by the year 2030.

गरीब (1) भूखा (2), ना स्वस्थ (3) न शिक्षित (4)

औरत न बराबर (5), न पानी संचित (6)

ऊर्जा (7) रही ना काम (8) कारखानों (9) में

कैसे मिटे असमानता (10)  शहरो (11) में

क्या खाये-उगाये (12),

बदलती जलवायु (13) में

जीवन न जल में (14),

न थल में (15)

शांति से (16) है

न कोई सहारा यहां साथी (17) से है

  • India is ranked 109th out of 166 countries in the 2024 Sustainable Development Report. First – Finland
    United Nations declared 2024 the International Year of Camelids (IYC 2024).
  • The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the ‘Earth Summit’ was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 3 – 14 June 1992.
  • This global conference, held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of 1st World Summit on Environment in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972.
  • Agenda 21 is legally non-binding, voluntarily implemented action plan, is a product of the Earth Summit 1992.
  • Earth Summit +5 was held in 1997 at New York City.
  • Rio+20  conference’s outcome document entitled ‘The Future We Want’.
  • Rio + 10 summit was held in Johannesburg in 2002 and Rio +20 was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2012.
  • The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee was set up under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986.
  • UNDP and UNEP and World Bank are associated with the GEF.
  • CEO: Carlos Manuel Rodriguez
  • It is a financial mechanism for five major international conventions:
  • the Minamata Convention on Mercury,
    the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,
    the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity,
    the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
    the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
  • GASCA (Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture) was created by FAO in 2010.
  • PAGE (Partnership for Action on Green Economy) was created at nited Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro.
  • National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) is situated in Nagpur.
    The National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) better known as NEA, established by the National Environment Appellate Authority Act 1997.
  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO), specialised agency of UN is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 193 Member.
  • WMO was originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) which was founded in 1873.
  • World Meteorological Convention was implemented on 23 March, 1950.
  • WMO has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Its current Secretary-General is Petteri Taalas and President is Gerhard Adrian of Germany.
  • UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) was established in 1972. It is headquartered in Nairobi (Kenya). Head of UNEP is Inger Andersen of Denmark.
  • EPA (Environment Protection Agency) is an agency of the U.S. It was established on 2 Dec. 1970 for enforcing standards and laws that promote the health of human/individuals and the environment.
  • Green Peace International is a non-governmental organization (HQ: Amsterdam, Netherlands)
  • The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is also known as Umbrella Legislation.
  • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 was enacted after Bhopal Gas Tragedy (December 2–3, 1984) under Article 253 of the Constitution.
  • 1986 Act was passed for the purpose of implementation of decisions that were taken by United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1973.
  • The National Green Tribunal was established on 18 October, 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. Chairperson: Prakash Shrivastava
  • ‘Green Development’ is a book written by W.M. Adams.
    Masanobu Fukuoka, the discoverer of Natural Farming, was a Japanese farmer.
    Australia launched Green Army for environmental Conservation.
    World Environment Day is celebrated on 5th June. The first World Environment Day was celebrated in 1974.
  • NITI Aayog is the main organization in India responsible for making sure that the Sustainable Development Goals are achieved.
  • As per the latest SDG India Index 2023-24, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Himachal Pradesh were the highest-scoring states.
  • As power the Index of 2019-20, Gujrat was not in top 5 but with latest Index, Andhra Pradesh is also not in top 5.
  • Overall SDG score for the country is 71 for 2023-24.
  • Between 2018 and 2023-24, fastest moving States are Uttar Pradesh (increase in score by 25), followed by J&K (21).
  • Both Kerala and Uttarakhand shared the top spot in the 2023-24 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) India Index, released by NITI Aayog, with a score of 79 out of 100.
  • In 1997, a conference about the environment was held in Kyoto, Japan.
  • The Kyoto Protocol, part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, was adopted at this conference and came into force in 2005 on February 16th.

Basic Questions

1. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and other as the Reason (R).

Assertion (A) : Sustainable development is important for well being of human society.
Reason (R) : Sustainable development is a kind of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Codes :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

 

2. Arrange the following events in chronological order and select the correct answer from the codes given below:
I. Rio Earth Summit
II. Publication of Brundtland Commission Report
III. Enforcement of Montreal Protocol
IV. Publication of ‘The Limit to Growth’ Report

Codes:
(a) I, IV, III, II
(b) IV, II, III, I
(c) IV, III, II,I
(d) IV, I, III, II

[U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

 

3. The discussion on ‘Sustainable Development’ was started after submitting a report on environment to the United Nations in 1987. That report was:

(a) First Report on Climate Change
(b) Our Common Future
(c) Second Report on Climate Change
(d) Fifth Assessment Report

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

 

4. Environment refers to:

(a) The natural world of land, water, air, plants and animals that exist around it.
(b) The sum total of conditions which surround human beings at a given point of time.
(c) The interacting system of physical, biological and cultural elements which are interlinked.
(d) All the above

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

 

5. Which of the following is not related to environmental protection?

(a) Sustainable Development
(b) Poverty Alleviation
(c) Air Conditioning
(d) Use of Paper Bags

[U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2013]

 

6. The Environment (Protection) Act of India was enacted in–

(a) 1981
(b) 1986
(c) 1995
(d) 2000

[U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2013]

 

7. Environment is a composite state of –

(a) Biotic factors
(b) Physiographic factors
(c) Abiotic factors
(d) All of the above.

[53rd to 55th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2011]

 

8. Generally, environment can be classified as following categories. Which among the following is NOT a part of such category?

(a) Operational Environment
(b) Physical Environment
(c) Cultural Environment
(d) Biological Environment

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

 

9. Sustainable development is a matter of intergenerational sensibility in respect of the use of?

(a) Natural resources
(b) Material resources
(c) Industrial resources
(d) Social resources

[U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2012]

 

10. What is blue carbon?

(a) Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems
(b) Carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils
(c) Carbon contained in petroleum and natural gas
(d) Carbon present in atmosphere

[I.A.S (Pre) 2021]

 

12. Which of the following Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) will target the water availability for all and its permanent management up to 2030 in India?

(a) SDG – 6
(b) SDG – 7
(c) SDG – 8
(d) SDG – 9

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

 

13. The Decade of Sustainable Energy for all is the initiative of:

(a) United Nations
(b) India
(c) Germany
(d) World Bank

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

 

*14. Which of the following is a Nodal Institution for implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in India?

(a) Planning Commission
(b) Disinvestment Commission
(c) NITI Aayog
(d) Finance Commission

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

 

15. World Environment Day is celebrated on:

(a) 21 March
(b) 23 September
(c) 5 June
(d) 25 May

[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013, Uttarakhand Lower (Sub.) (Pre) 2010]

 

16. The book ‘Silent Spring’ published in 1962 which set the tone for an environmental movement in the world, was written by:

(a) Carolyn Merchant
(b) Karl Marx
(c) Rachel Carson
(d) Rajgopalan

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

 

17. A country’s natural capital included all of the following except:

(a) Forest
(b) Water
(c) Roads
(d) Minerals

[U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2012]

 

*18. The main role of solar radiation is in –

(a) Carbon cycle
(b) Hydrogen cycle
(c) Water cycle
(d) Nitrogen cycle

[U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl.) (Pre) 2004, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]

 

19. National Environmental Engineering Research Institute is situated at:

(a) Bangaluru
(b) Hyderabad
(c) Nagpur
(d) New Delhi

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012, U.P.P.C.S (Mains) 2011, Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2010,U.P.P.C.S (Mains) 2005, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

 

20. What is important for Sustainable Development?

(a) Conservation of biological diversity
(b) Prevention and Control of Pollution
(c) Decreasing poverty
(d) All of these.

[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

 

*23. The ‘Common Carbon Metric’ supported by UNEP, has been developed for

(a) assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world
(b) enabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading
(c) enabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries
(d) assessing the overall carbon footprint caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time

[I.A.S (Pre) 2021]

 

*24. Which one of the following is not the objective of smart city development?

(a) Good governance
(b) Clean green city
(c) Stabilizing quality of life
(d) Smart mobility

[U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

 

25. ‘Earth Summit’ was held at:

(a) Cairo
(b) Rio-de-Janeiro
(c) Durban
(d) Kyoto

[Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2003]

 

26. What was the title of the Rio -20 declaration?

(a) The future we want
(b) The future we seek
(c) The future we have
(d) The future we seek
(e) None of these

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

 

27. The first ‘Earth Summit’ was held at –

(a) Washington
(b) Geneva
(c) Rio-de-Janeiro
(d) Buenos Aires

[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre), 1998]

 

28. International Conference held in Rio-de-Janeiro was:

(a) United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
(b) Environment and Pollution Summit
(c) International new Economics
(d) None of these

[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1992]

 

29. What is the thin layer of gases around the earth called?

(a) Biosphere
(b) Water particle
(c) Atmosphere
(d) Hydrosphere

[44th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2000]

 

30. Air is a/an:

(a) Compound
(b) Element
(c) Mixture
(d) Electrolyte

[39th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1994]

 

31. Percentage of Nitrogen in dry air –

(a) 21%
(b) 27%
(c) 50%
(d) 78%

[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1990]

 

32. Which of the following is considered to be the optimum concentration of Carbon-Dioxide for natural balance in the atmosphere?

(a) 0.02 percent
(b) 0.03 percent
(c) 0.04 percent
(d) 0.05 percent

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

 

33. Which one of the following Noble Gases is not present in the air?

(a) Helium
(b) Argon
(c) Radon
(d) Neon

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

 

35. If all the plants and trees vanish from the earth, the gas which will decrease is –

(a) Carbon dioxide
(b) Nitrogen
(c) Water vapour
(d) Oxygen

[R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2012]

 

36. Which of the following is not a function of the tree?

(a) Absorption of carbon dioxide
(b) Absorption of noise
(c) Air pollution
(d) Releasing oxygen

[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1993]

 

37. Consider the following :
1. Photosynthesis 2. Respiration
3. Decay of organic matter 4. Volcanic action
Which of the above adds carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on Earth?

(a) 1 and 4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

[I.A.S (Pre) 2014, I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

 

38. The concept of weathering relates to –

(a) Deposition of decomposed material
(b) Change in weather conditions day to day
(c) Natural process leading to the decomposition of rocks
(d) None of the above

[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

 

*39. The Headquarter of World Meteorological Organization is located at –

(a) Geneva
(b) Rome
(c) Sidney
(d) Tokyo

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

 

40. The headquarter of U.N.E.P. is located at –

(a) Geneva
(b) Kathmandu
(c) Nairobi
(d) New Delhi

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010, U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010]

 

*41. Where was the 4th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) held recently?

(a) Paris-France
(b) Ulaanbaatar-Mongolia
(c) Beijing – China
(d) Nairobi-Kenya
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

[65th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019]

 

*42. What does EPA stand for –

(a) Environment Pollution Agency
(b) Environmental Prohibition Agency
(c) Environment Protection Agency
(d) None of these

[Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2003]

 

*43. In which of the following institutes, the Environmental Information System (ENVIS)’s ‘Centre on Population and Environment’ is located?

(a) I.I.T. Kharagpur
(b) I.I.T. New Delhi
(c) I.I.P.S. Mumbai
(d) N.I.R.S. Dehradun

[U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

 

44. N.E.A. Stands for:

(a) National Enquiry Act
(b) National Environment Authority
(c) National Examination Agency
(d) National Event Association

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2003]

 

*45. The headquarters of the Green Peace International is located at –

(a) Amsterdam
(b) Canberra
(c) Ottawa
(d) Nagasaki

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]

 

*46. Eco-Mark is given to an Indian product which is –

(a) Pure and unadulterated
(b) Rich in protein
(c) Environment-friendly
(d) Economically viable

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

 

*48. According to ‘Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) India Index, 2019’ recently released by NITI Aayog, which State holds the first position?

(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Bihar
(c) Jharkhand
(d) Kerala

[U.P.B.E.O. (Pre) 2019]

 

*49. Which of the following states is NOT in the list of top five states on the Sustainable Development Goals Index, 2019-20 India?

(a) Gujarat
(b) Himachal Pradesh
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Tamil Nadu

[U.P.B.E.O. (Pre) 2019]

 

50. Sustainable agriculture means:

(a) Self-sufficiency
(b) To be able to export and import under WTO norms
(c) To utilize land so that its quality remains intact
(d) To utilize Wasteland for agricultural purposes

[U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2001]

 

*52. Given below are two statements –
Assertion (A) : Natural vegetation is the true index of climate.
Reason (R) : Water-loving plants are found in a moist climate.
In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?

Codes :
(a) Both statements are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both statements are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009]

 

53. Urbanization and industrialization are harmful-

(a) For balanced development
(b) Environment and ecology
(c) For biodiversity conservation
(d) For all the above.

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2002]

 

Level 2

*1. The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India?

  1. Right to a healthy environment, construed as a part of Right to Life under Article 21.
  2. Provision of grants for raising the level of administration in the Scheduled Areas for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes under Article 275(1).
  3. Powers and functions of Gram Sabha as mentioned under Article 243.

(A). Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

 

2. The author of ‘Green Development’ is –

(a) M.J. Bradshaw
(b) M. Nicolson
(c) R.H. Whittaker
(d) W.M. Adams

[U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2011]

 

3. What is Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?

(a) It is the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
(b) It is a Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization.
(c) It is a Conference of the Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change.
(d) It is a Conference of the Member Countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

 

*4. In the year 1997, the World Environment Conference was organised in?

(a) Reo-de-Janeiro
(b) Nairobi
(c) Kyoto
(d) New York

[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

 

5. The Earth Summit + 5 was held in?

(a) 2005
(b) 2000
(c) 1999
(d) 1997

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

 

*6. Consider the following statements:
1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.
2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2016]

 

* 7. Who has propounded the concept of ‘Limits to Growth’?

(a) Club of Rome
(b) UNESCO
(c) Brundtland Commission
(d) Agenda 21

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

 

8. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and other as the Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : There is a positive relation between Human Development Index (HDI) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) ranking of Indian State.
Reason (R) : The underlying dimension of SDG targets are closely related to education and health aspect.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

 

*9. With reference to the ‘Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA)’, which of the following statement is/are correct?
1. GACSA is an outcome of the Climate Summit held in Paris in 2015.
2. Membership of GACSA does not create any binding obligations.
3. India was instrumental in the creation of GACSA.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2018]

 

10. The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards a greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at?

(a) The Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Johannesburg.
(b) The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro.
(c) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2015, Paris.
(d) The World Sustainable Development Summit 2016, New Delhi.

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2018]

 

11. With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:
1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development.
2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?

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

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2016]

 

12. Many transplanted seedlings do not grow because:

(a) The new soil does not contain favourable minerals
(b) Most of the root hairs grip the new soil too hard
(c) Most of the root hairs are lost during transplantation
(d) Leaves get damaged during transplantation

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2013]

 

13. Environmental degradation means –

(a) Overall degradation of environmental attributes.
(b) Adverse changes brought in by human activities.
(c) Ecological imbalance because of ecological diversity.
(d) All the above.

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

 

*14. Which of the following is related to Protection of Ecological Balance?
1. Forest Policy
2. Environment (Protection) Act
3. Industrial Policy
4. Educational Policy
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 & 2
(b) 2 & 3
(c) 1,2 & 3
(d) All the above

[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004]

 

*15. Concerning ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statement/s is/are correct?

(a) It serves as the financial mechanism for ‘Convention on Biological Diversity’ and ‘United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’
(b) It undertakes scientific research on environmental issues at the global level
(c) It is an agency under OECD to facilitate the transfer of technology and funds to underdeveloped countries with a specific aim to protect their environment
(d) Both (a) and (b)

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]

 

*16. Plachimada which has been in the news for immense damage to its environment lies in –

(a) Karnataka
(b) Konkan
(c) Kerala
(d) Tamil Nadu

[U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl.) (Pre) 2009]

 

17. Environment (Protection) Act (EPA) is also known as:

(a) Umbrella Legislation
(b) Chhadi Mubarak
(c) Environment Legislation
(d) Eco Safety Law

[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

 

18. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the:

(a) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
(b) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
(c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

 

*19. With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of “Conservation Agriculture”
assumes significance. Which of the following fall under Conservation Agriculture?
1. Avoiding monoculture practices.
2. Adopting minimum tillage.
3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops.
4. Using crop residues to cover the soil surface.
5. Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2018]

 

20. As a result of their annual survey, the National Geographic Society and an international polling firm Globe Scan gave India top rank in Greendex 2009 score. What is this score?

(a) It is a measure of eff orts made by diff erent countries in adopting technologies for reducing the carbon footprint
(b) It is a measure of environmentally sustainable consumer behaviour in diff erent countries
(c) It is an assessment of programs/schemes undertaken by different countries for improving the conservation of natural resources
(d) It is an index showing the volume of carbon credits sold by different countries

[I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]

 

21. Which one of the following is the best strategy for environment-friendly sustainable development in Indian agriculture?

(a) Expansion of cultivable land, increased use of superphosphate, urea and eff ective biocides
(b) Wider popularization of high-yielding crop varieties, better aid, more frequent irrigation and increased frequency of aerial span of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides
(c) Mixed cropping, organic manures, nitrogen-fixing plants and pest-resistant crop varieties
(d) Improved farm implements and machinery, use of potent insecticides to minimize post-harvest grain losses and monoculture cropping practices

[I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]

 

22. Consider the following statements and select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Assertion (A) : India is a case of an over-urbanised country.
Reason (R) : Most of the large cities in India do not have adequate infrastructure.

Codes:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) explains (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) does not explain (A).
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true.

[U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

 

23. The investigator of Natural Farming was-

(a) Masanobu Fukuoka
(b) M.S. Randhawa
(c) M.S. Swaminathan
(d) Norman Borlaug

[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]

 

24. Which country introduced the Green Army for Environment conservation?

(a) Japan
(b) China
(c) Australia
(d) Egypt

[M.P.C.S.(Pre) 2014]

 

25. During the mid 80’s decade of twentieth century, the negative aspects of development were discussed at
large. Which one among the following was NOT such important?

(a) Degradation of natural resources
(b) Environment pollution
(c) Politics and Development
(d) Displacement and Rehabilitation of masses

[U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2020]