हिंदी में पढ़ें
Basic Questions
1. The ‘World Water Day’ is celebrated on:
(a) 28 February
(b) 22 March
(c) 5 June
(d) 11 July
[U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (b) 22 March
- Every year on March 22nd, there is a celebration called World Water Day.
- This event is to remind people of how important it is to have access to fresh water and to make sure that it is managed in a sustainable way.
- The theme of World Water Day 2019 was “leaving no one behind” and the theme for 2022 is “Groundwater: making the invisible visible”.
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2. Which one of the following is not a biotic resource?
(a) Freshwater
(b) Coal
(c) Petroleum
(d) Fish
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (a) Freshwater
- Biotic resources come from living things such as forests and animals, as well as the materials that can be taken from them.
- Coal and petroleum are also considered biotic resources as they are formed from decaying organic matter.
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3. In which of the following years was constituted the ‘Central Ganga Authority’ by Government of India?
(a) 1975
(b) 1982
(c) 1985
(d) 1995
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]
Ans. (c) 1985
- In 1985, the Central Ganga Authority was created with the help of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
- Its name was changed to the National River Conservation Authority in 1995.
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4. In the Union Budget, 2014 the Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission has been called as :
(a) Clean Ganga
(b) Sacred Ganga
(c) The Great Ganga
(d) Namami Gange
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]
Ans. (d) Namami Gange
- In 2014, India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced a major program called Namami Gange, with a budget of 200 billion rupees.
- The plan was to clean up and restore the Ganges River.
- The program had seven main parts: sewage treatment, river front development, river surface cleaning, biodiversity, afforestation, public awareness and industrial effluent monitoring, and Ganga Gram.
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5. National Ganga River Basin Authority has been constituted in –
(a) October, 2008
(b) February, 2009
(c) October, 2009
(d) March, 2010
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]
Ans. (b) February, 2009
- The Indian Government has declared the Ganga River a National River and established the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) on February 20, 2009 under the Environment Protection Act of 1986.
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6. Who among the following environmentalists is known by the name of ‘Jal Purush’?
(a) Sunderlal Bahuguna
(b) Rajendra Singh
(c) B. Venkateshwarlu
(d) Salim Ali
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (b) Rajendra Singh
- Rajendra Singh is a famous water preserver from Alwar, Rajasthan, also known as ‘Waterman of India’.
- He won the Stockholm Water Prize in 2015 and the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2001 for his work with community-based water harvesting and management.
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7. Which one of the following gases is used for the purification of drinking water?
(a) Sulphur dioxide
(b) Chlorine
(c) Fluorine
(d) Carbon dioxide
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]
Ans. (b) Chlorine
- Chlorine is used to make drinking water clean.
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8. Which of the following leaf modifications occurs/occur in desert areas to inhibit water loss?
1. Hard and waxy leaves
2. Tiny leaves or no leaves
3. Thorns instead of leaves
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of these
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2013]
Ans. (d) All of these
- In the desert, where water is scarce, some plants have adapted their leaves to reduce water loss.
- These leaves are hard and waxy, which helps prevent water from escaping.
- They also have sticky substances that lower the surface area to volume ratio.
- Thorns also help the plants conserve water by increasing the surface area and capturing moisture from the air, which then drips down to the ground and can be absorbed by the roots.
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9. Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?
1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers
2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers
3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally
4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]
Ans. (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
- The Ganga river dolphins are in danger of extinction due to the construction of dams and water pollution caused by pesticides, fertilizers and industrial waste.
- They live in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India and Bangladesh.
- Unfortunately, they often get caught in fishing nets, and industrial and agricultural activities along the river are putting them in further danger.
- The use of pesticides and fertilizers is also damaging the freshwater biodiversity.
- The Ganga river dolphins are one of only four species of ‘obligate’ freshwater dolphins in the world.
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High-Level Questions
1. If the National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, how will it impact the country?
1. Part of the water needs of urban areas will be met through the recycling of wastewater.
2. The water requirements of coastal cities with inadequate alternative sources of water will be met by adopting appropriate technologies that allow the use of ocean water.
3. All the rivers of Himalayan origin will be linked to the rivers of peninsular India.
4. The expenses incurred by farmers for digging borewells and for installing motors and pump sets to draw groundwater will be completely reimbursed by the Government.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]
Ans. (b) 1 and 2
- The goal of the National Water Mission is to save water, reduce waste, and make sure it is shared equally between states.
- It is part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, which began on June 30, 2008.
- The mission has five main objectives: 1) making a public database of water resources and assessing how climate change impacts them, 2) encouraging people and states to save and preserve water, 3) helping vulnerable areas, 4) improving water use efficiency by 20%, and 5) promoting integrated resource management in basins.
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2. Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in riverbeds?
1. Decreased salinity in the river
2. Pollution of groundwater
3. Lowering of the water-table
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (b) 2 and 3 only
- Taking sand out of the river bottom makes the water flow faster, which can erode the sides of the river.
- The sand works like a sponge to bring water back into the ground.
- If it’s taken away, the water level in the area will go down and the water can become polluted.
- The sand helps keep the water clean in rivers and other water sources.
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3. With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements :
1. High content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water-holding capacity.
2. Soil does not play any role in the sulfur cycle.
3. Irrigation over a period of time can contribute to the salinization of some agricultural lands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (b) 3 only
- Soil’s ability to hold water is determined by its texture and how much organic matter it has.
- Organic matter helps the soil by making it easier for rain to get in and also helps the soil keep water better.
- Sulfur is one of the three nutrients found in soil, living things, and the air.
- Too much salt in the soil from irrigation can be bad for crops and is called salinization.
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4. Consider the following statements:
1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as ‘‘overexploited’’ or ‘‘critical’’ by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.
Which of the statements given below is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
[I.A.S. (Pre.) 2020]
Ans. (b) 2 and 3 only
- The Central Ground Water Authority was created under the Environment (Protection) Act in 1986 to manage and control the use of groundwater in India.
- India has the greatest amount of groundwater irrigation in the world, more than China and the United States.
- Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
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5. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess was enforced in –
(a) 1973
(b) 1975
(c) 1977
(d) 1979
[U.P.R.O/A.R.O. (Mains) 2013]
Ans. (d) 1979
- The Water Cess Act was passed in 1977 but not put into effect until 1978.
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6. In which year was the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act enforced?
(a) 1980
(b) 1974
(c) 1981
(d) None of the above
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (b) 1974
- In 1974, the government passed the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act in order to stop water pollution and make sure water is clean.
- This law was changed in 1988.
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7. In which year Central Water Commission establish the “Irrigation Research and Management Organization”?
(a) 1984
(b) 1948
(c) 1964
(d) 2004
(e) None of these
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (a) 1984
- In 1984, the Central Water Commission started a group called the “Irrigation Research and Management Organization”.
- The answer to this question in the original answer sheet from the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission was option (a).
- However, in the new answer sheet, option (e) was listed as the right answer, when really option (a) was the right one.
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8. The arsenic contamination of drinking water is highest in–
(a) Chennai
(b) Kanpur
(c) Kolkata
(d) Mumbai
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]
Ans. (c) Kolkata
- Kolkata, West Bengal has the most arsenic in its drinking water.
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9. What is the role of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in water purification systems?
1. It inactivates and kills the harmful microorganisms in water.
2. It remo
3. It quickens the sedimentation of solid particles, removes turbidity, and improves the clarity of water
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]
Ans. (a) Only 1
- Using ultraviolet light to purify water is the best way to get rid of bacteria.
- Ultra-violet rays kill the germs and stop them from multiplying.
- UV treatments can remove 99.99% of the bad microorganisms without adding anything to the water or changing its taste or smell.
- Therefore, option (a) is the right choice.
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10. Which of the following is/are used as a disinfectant of water?
(a) Ozone
(b) Chlorine dioxide
(c) Chloramine
(d) All of the above
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (d) All of the above
- Water purification is the process of taking out unwanted chemicals, germs, solid particles, and gases from water.
- It can be done in various ways, such as by changing the temperature, using UV rays, or using ozone, iodine, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide.
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11. Greenwash refers to
(a) Promoting Jhum agriculture
(b) Cleaning of river water
(c) Removing greenery
(d) Making false promises of protecting the environment
[U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]
Ans. (d) Making false promises of protecting the environment
- Greenwashing is when a company makes claims about how environmentally friendly it is, even though those claims may not be true.
- It is a way for a company to make itself look more environmentally friendly than it actually is.
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12. The Yamuna Action Plan was formally launched in
(a) 1991
(b) 1992
(c) 1993
(d) 1994
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]
Ans. (c) 1993
- In 1993, the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) was started to clean the dirtiest river in India.
- It was a joint effort between the Indian and Japanese governments.
- YAP-1 focused on Delhi, 8 towns in Uttar Pradesh, and 6 in Haryana.
- YAP-II concentrated on the 22km stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi.
- On May 7, 2016, YAP III was launched as part of the Namami Gange Programme.
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13. Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’?
1. The river basin is the unit of planning and management.
2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on a rotational basis.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (a) 1 and 2 only
- The National Ganga River Basin Authority is a group that plans, finances, monitors, and coordinates activities.
- Its main goal is to reduce pollution and protect the Ganga River by taking a whole river basin approach to planning and management.
- This program was then used to help other big rivers in India.
- The Prime Minister is the leader of the NGRBA and is in charge of making decisions.
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14. The wetlands falling within urban areas which are being dealt with under the National Lake Conservation Plan with the aim of Pollution control are –
1. Bhoj – Madhya Pradesh
2. Sukhana – Chandigarh
3. Chilka – Orissa
4. Pichola – Rajasthan
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Codes :
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2 and 4
[U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2002]
Ans. (d) 1, 2 and 4
- The NLCP is a program supported by the government to improve the water and environment of lakes in urban and rural areas.
- The purpose is to restore and protect the lakes, which have been damaged by wastewater and other causes, using a combination of strategies.
- Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, Bhoj in Madhya Pradesh and Pichola Lake in Udaipur, Rajasthan have been included in the NLCP, but Chilika Lake in Odisha is not.
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15. Which of the following has/have shrunk immensely/ dried up in the recent past due to human activities?
1. Aral Sea
2. Black Sea
3. Lake Baikal
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (a) 1 only
- The Aral Sea is a salty lake in Central Asia.
- It used to be the fourth largest lake in the world and was 26,300 miles square.
- However, by 2007 it had shrunk to only 10% of its original size.
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16. Which one of the following lakes have been recently included under National Lake Conservation Project?
(a) Bhimtal
(b) Pulicat
(c) Ooty
(d) Sambhar
[U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2010]
Ans. (a) Bhimtal
- In June 2001, the government started the National Lake Conservation Plan.
- This included 58 lakes in 14 different states by December 2009, one of which was Bhimtal and the other was Ooty.
- Ooty was part of the plan from the start, but Bhimtal was added recently.
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