UPSC Ecology & Environment Test 3 (Old Year Questions)

Ans b
Mammals are the class of vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of sweat glands, including sweat glands modified for milk production, hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex region in the brain.Sea Cow:-Sea Cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), also called Steller’s sea cow, very large aquatic mammal.Sea Horse:-Sea horse is a vertabrate fish .Sea Lion:-It is warm blooded, gives birth to live young, has hair, and the female produces milk. All these are characteristics of mammals.

Ans d

Ans d

Ans a

Ans c
Nutrient dispersal and cycling is one of the 3 supporting services.

Ans a
A decline of phytoplankton affects everything up the food chain. This means that the ocean off the coast of Southern California is acting as a carbon ‘sink’ – taking carbon out of the atmosphere via phytoplankton and locking it up in sediment.

Ans a
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), created multilaterally under the UNFCCC is one of the mitigation instruments under the Kyoto Protocol.

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), defined in Article 12 of the Protocol, allows a country with an emission-reduction or emission-limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries. Such projects can earn saleable certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2, which can be counted towards meeting Kyoto targets.

Annex-I countries are parties to Kyoto protocol.

Ans c
Eco-friendly car radials from MRF.

Ans a
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, developed by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), sets the global standard for how to measure, manage, and report greenhouse gas emissions.

Many companies and organizations around the world are using GHG Protocol standards and tools to manage their emissions and become more efficient, resilient, and prosperous organizations.

Ans a

Ans d
The great hornbill, a magnificent bird reaching a length of three-and-a-half feet, is distinguished by a big yellow beak with a casque and striking tail feathers the magnificent birds which were a common sight in the Western Ghats are rarely seen, due to deforestation. habitat loss threatens its future, and hunting has depleted populations. It is protected at the highest level under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, but that can do little to save the habitat.

Ans c
Note: question is “why Government of India encourages” not in general

Ans b
OPCW is the Hague-based autonomous body, which works within the framework of the United Nations, was established in 1997 by the Chemical Weapons Convention to carry out its mandate.

OBJECTIVES:

OPCW Member States share the collective goal of preventing chemistry from ever again being used for warfare, thereby strengthening international security. To this end, the Convention contains four key provisions:
destroying all existing chemical weapons under international verification by the OPCW
monitoring chemical industry to prevent new weapons from re-emerging;
providing assistance and protection to States Parties against chemical threats; and
fostering international cooperation to strengthen implementation of the Convention and promote the peaceful use of chemistry.

Ans b

Ans a

Ans a
Elimination could have been used; Great Indian Bustard is a Critically Endangered Species; also Snow Leopard is an endangered specie

Ans c
In August 2015, Reserve Bank of India granted ‘in-principle’ approval to 11 applicants to start payments banks. These include Reliance Industries, Airtel M Commerce Services, Tech Mahindra, Vodafone m-pesa, Aditya Birla Nuvo, Department of Posts, Cholamandalam Distribution Services, Fino PayTech, PayTm, National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL) and Sun Pharma. They can issue debit cards but not credit cards.FDI of 74% is allowed in these banks.

Ans b
This has been a pet project of M/o Envt. and Forests to reintroduce Cheetahs in India which have been extinct in India for many years now

Ans c
NBA had finally concluded its year-long investigation in Aug 2011 and recommended action against the U.S. agribusiness giant, Monsanto, and its Indian collaborators. Any person who intends to apply for a patent or any other form of intellectual property protection whether in India or outside India referred to in sub section (1) of section 6, may make an application in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed to the National Biodiversity Authority. NBA to take action against Bt Brinjal biopiracy The NBA deals with all matters relating to requests for access by foreign individuals, institutions or companies, and transfer of results of research to any foreigner. While granting approvals, NBA imposes conditions which secure equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources and associated knowledge. These benefits could include monetary gains; grant of joint ownership of Intellectual property Rights (IPRs), transfer of technology, association of Indian scientists in research and development, setting up of venture capital funds etc. Further, NBA’s approval is also required before seeking any IPR based on biological material and associated knowledge obtained from India. The NBA also has power to oppose grant of IPRs in any other country on biological resources or associated knowledge obtained or derived from India.

Ans b
District Mineral Foundation (DMF) is a trust set up as a non-profit body, in those districts affected by the mining works, to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining related operations. It is funded through the contributions from miners.
Its manner of operation comes under the jurisdiction of the relevant State Government.