Environment GK Questions and Answers for Civil Services Examination

Tehuacán Valley desert in southern Mexico
The rain shadow effect is largely responsible for many tropical arid lands that seem to defy the rule that deserts are only found in the earth’s midlatitudinal reaches, such as the Sechura Desert in Peru and Ecuador, the Caatinga scrub in equatorial Brazil, or the Tehuacán Valley desert in southern Mexico, a hotspot for cactus biodiversity. They are also responsible for some high-latitude cold deserts, such as the Great Basin, Patagonia, and the deserts of
Central Asia.

By warming ocean water
In El Nino-year 2010, preliminary reports show global coral bleaching reached its worst level since another El Nino year, 1998, when 16% of the world’s reefs died as a result of increased water temperature. Corals get most of their energy from microscopic algae that live in their tissue. These algae are colorful and are what gives corals their vivid hue. When environmental factors go out of the range that corals are used to (such as warming water), the
symbiosis between the coral and the algae breaks down and corals effectively expel the algae and turn white. The coral is then deprived of its source of energy, and dies.

Only 2 is correct
This is a tricky question. The first statement is incorrect , if you look at the map of India and locate the wetlands. They are located in varied climates some are in arid zones like Rajasthan and some are in tropical zones. So we eliminate this statement. The second statement is correct and most of the wetlands in India are directly or indirectly related to the river systems. The third statement is incorrect , and almost all of you know that we have 25 Ramsar sites but
more than 100 wetlands.

1, 3 & 4
The First statement is correct because Coral Reefs are found in shallow waters. This statement may sound dubious because there are Deep water Corals too. But the problem is that not much is known whether the deep water corals make Coral reefs or not. Deep water coral can exist at greater depths and colder temperatures at much higher latitudes, as far north as Norway. The second statement is incorrect. The Coral Reefs are found in tropical and temperate both kinds of waters but mostly available in 30°N to 30°S latitudes. Coral reefs are estimated to cover 284,300 km² or 0.1% of the oceans’ surface area. The Indo-Pacific region (including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and the Pacific) account for 91.9% of this total. Southeast Asia accounts for 32.3% of that figure, while the Pacific including Australia accounts for 40.8%. Atlantic and Caribbean coral reefs account for 7.6%. The statement 3 & 4 are correct and most remarkable features of these “tropical rain forests’ of the Oceans.

1, 2 3 & 4 Only
The Invertebrates are not protected as per the act. In India, the system of Biosphere reserves is there to protect even the invertebrates, but Biosphere
reserves don’t come under the Wildlife protection act.

1, 2, 3 & 4
Coral Reefs are characteristics of Shallow water tropical marine system and they are available in these 4 places identified for conservation and
management.

R-410
Please note about the R-22 phase-out programme. R-22 means Chlorodifluoromethane or difluoromonochloromethane, which means HCFC-22 which means the GHG / Ozone depletion agents which have been now phased out in most countries under the Montreal Protocol. Now they are being replaced by other refrigerants with lower ozone depletion potential such as propane (R-290), R-410A (an azeotropic mixture of difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane), R-507A, R-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) and R-409A.

1 & 3
Environmental Accounting is a method to measure the consumption of the environment/ natural resources as a country strives for higher growth. The future cost of depletion of natural resources and other damages caused to the environment are excluded from conventional output measures such as the Gross Domestic Product. Environmental accounting builds on the conventional accounting methodology to reflect the costs of economic development. Most production tends to use up natural resources directly or indirectly and also tends to impact the environment in some way or other, mostly through pollution. It is widely-acknowledged amongst environmentalists and economists that cost of damage to the environment needs to be factored in to decide whether a particular economic activity is beneficial to the mankind or not. Also, natural resources are indispensable for most economic activities and their depletion would in the longer run reduce the productive capacity of an economy. Environmental accounting is expected to give a better idea of the cost benefits involved, allowing for better decision-making. Environmental accounting is possible both at a corporate level as well as at a national-international level. At a corporate level, it requires the estimation of the damage done to the environment by a particular industry and the investments made to minimize such environmental damage. At a national level, environmental accounting it requires treating environmental resources (forests, water bodies, etc) as a stock of natural capital like any other productive asset. Any depreciation in this stock must be accounted for and accordingly deducted from national output. This revised measure of national output is also referred to as Green GDP. It is hard to quantify the depletion of natural resources and even harder to put a value to it, or monetize such costs. Most environmental resources are not traded in markets. This makes it difficult to value benefits accruing from
environmental goods such as fuel wood, fish/fruit collected for consumption and services such as protection from soil erosion and land submergence. Similarly, it is hard to put a value to the damage done to the environment in the process of production. It is for these problems that no country in the world has yet been able to devise a fool-proof methodology for environmental accounting.

Convention on Long-Range Tran boundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP)
Since its adoption in 1979, CLRTAP has addressed some of the major environmental problems of the UNECE region (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe). This has been achieved through a process of scientific collaboration and policy negotiation. In this way, since its entry into force in 1983, the Convention has been extended by eight protocols which identify specific obligations or measures to be taken by Parties. The major protocols are Sulphur Emissions Reduction Protocol and Gothenburg protocol.

Tamil Nadu and Gujarat

Its a bioreactor system that intends to grow algae for growing algae for the production of Fish Feed, Proteins and Biofuel World Health Energy Holdings, Inc, a public holding company developing joint venture partnerships for algae production for biodiesel and commercial fish food, has announced the signing of a Letter of Intent with Prime Inc, an Indian Industrial and transport Company, to develop a biodiesel production facility ramping up to 250 acres with a budget of up to 100 million dollars.The proposed sites for development are in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, India and will utilize an Algae Enhancement Technology, known as the GB3000 system, used for growing algae for the production of Fish Feed, Proteins and Biofuel in the Territory of India. Prime Inc. India’s current clients include: Exon, Shell, General Electric (GE) and Siemens. The GB3000 is a unique bioreactor system intended to grow algae for oil and protein at a cost of $60,000 per dunam, i.e., $240,000 per acre.

None of them
This type of questions will need an alert mind in those two hours on May 20. I just wanted to know whether you have read somewhere about Bioenergy or not. We should know that Developments in bioenergy will have a major implication on the land use patterns. One of the greatest environmental concerns related to biofuel expansion is the deforestation and land clearing. The increase in area used for bioenergy feedstock cultivation would come from a variety of other land uses such as forestry and agriculture. In this question , all statements are incorrect. The potential role of biomass within sustainable national energy systems is under discussion globally, and especially liquid biofuels for transport receive significant attention. In general, environmental impacts of bioenergy are considered smaller than those of conventional (fossil and nuclear) energy systems, as renewable biomass is CO2-neutral when burnt, the resource base can be maintained if harvested biomass is re-grown, and residues easily decompose or can be recycled. Bioenergy can have positive employment and income effects, and could increase security of supply. Still, bioenergy crops can cause land-use change with severe environmental impacts, e.g. biodiversity loss and increased greenhouse gas emissions, and might negative impact water resources and soil. Recently Greenpeace raised this issue. In a report, it said that Forest bioenergy threatens the health of our forests and will harm the global climate for decades to come. The amount of wood being burnt in power plants or turned into liquid fuels is growing exponentially without the public’s knowledge and little government oversight or regulation. Greenpeace is concerned that the growing demand for trees associated with the bioenergy boom will drastically increase pressure on forests and out compete the traditional forest products sector, particularly with respect to available wood supply and the development of new products and jobs.

Green Tags are market based instruments which are provided for generation of renewable energy Renewable Energy Certificate is a market based instrument which enables the obligated entities to meet their Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO). Pertinently, the renewable purchase obligation is the obligation mandated by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) under the Electricity Act, to purchase a minimum level of renewable energy out of the total consumption in the area of a distribution licensee. The REC mechanism also aims at encouraging competition and eventually mainstreaming renewable energy sources. Please read this article:
https://www.gktoday.in/energy-current-affairs/understanding-renewable-energy-certificate-mechanism/

Only 1 & 2
Butanol is considered to be a better biofuel than ethanol because it’s less corrosive and has a higher caloric value, giving it a higher energy value. Like ethanol, butanol is being considered as an additive to gasoline. It is easily blended with gasoline for use in today’s gasoline-powered vehicles. Under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations, biobutanol can be blended as an oxygenate with gasoline in concentrations up to 11.5 percent by volume. Biobutanol proponents claim that gasoline-powered vehicles can be fueled with biobutanol as an alternative fuel (blends of 85 percent or more biobutanol with gasoline) with minor or no vehicle modifications, although testing of this claim has been limited. The third statement in this question is ambiguous and incorrect. Its energy density is only 10 to 20% lower than gasoline’s. It is compatible with the current gasoline distribution infrastructure and would not require new or modified pipelines, blending facilities, storage tanks, or retail station pumps. It is compatible with ethanol blending and can improve the blending of ethanol with gasoline. It can be produced using existing ethanol production facilities with relatively minor modifications. Some other advantages are:
Significantly improved in terms of environmental impact
Cost-competitive to gasoline
Easily produced in large quantities
Produced domestically
Compatible with the existing fuel distribution and retail infrastructure
Seamless to the consumer in terms of engine compatibility, performance, range and accessibility

Only 1 is correct
The second statement is not correct. Under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (BDA) the State Government in consultation with local bodies may notify in the official gazette, areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS). The first statement is correct. “Biodiversity Heritage Sites” (BHS) are well defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems – terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and, marine having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the following components: richness of wild as well as domesticated species or intra-specific categories, high endemism, presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance, wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or their varieties, past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds and having significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values and are important for the maintenance of cultural diversity, with or without a long history of human association with them

All are correct
Mangroves in India account for about five per cent of the world’s mangrove vegetation and are spread over an area of about 4,500 km2 along the coastal States/Uts of the country. Sunderbans in West Bengal accounts for a little less than half of the total area under mangroves in India. The Forest Survey of India has been assessing the vegetation cover of the country, including mangroves using remote sensing since 1983. It published its first assessment of mangroves of India in 1987 and estimated it to be 4,046 km². Thereafter, mangroves have been assessed regularly on a two-year cycle. West Bengal has the maximum mangrove cover in the country, followed by Gujarat and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Mangroves mapping was done in 2005, utilizing their unique reflectance characteristics. In the assessment, mangrove cover has also been categorized into very dense mangrove (canopy density of more than 70 per cent), moderately dense mangrove (canopy density between 40-70 per cent) and open mangrove (canopy density between 10-40 per cent). The current assessment shows that the mangrove cover in the country is 4,445 km2, which is 0.14 per cent of the country’s total geographic area. The very dense mangrove comprises 1,147 km2 (25.8 per cent of mangrove cover), moderately dense mangrove is 1,629 km2 (36.6 per cent) while open mangrove covers an area of l, 669 km2 (37.6 per cent). All statements are correct in this question.

January to March
The term Asian Brown Cloud was coined by leaders of INDOEX to describe the brown haze occurring during the period January to March, over the South Asian region and the tropical Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. This wintertime haze appears brown, when seen from an aircraft, because of the substantial contribution by man-made particles such as soot. The haze has been described as a ‘blanket of pollution’ in the news release, because ‘the discovery during INDOEX of the so-called South Asian haze is a clear evidence of the magnitude of the aerosol pollution problem’ (UNEP report, p. 2). It is not clear why, after describing what was observed during INDOEX as haze, it was decided to call it a cloud. The word ‘cloud’ may have been used to suggest that it is much denser than a haze. Perhaps the name ‘Asian Brown Cloud’ was chosen to give an impression of the Asian region choking under a thick and permanent blanket of dirty atmosphere. (Current Science)

Only 1 is correct
The First statement is correct . After the North East states, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh account for maximum Bamboo production area and stock in India. The second statement is incorrect. Maximum usage is in scaffolding. (source: ministry documents)

None of them is correct
“Green Bridge Technology (GBT) was in news when the Ministry launched the “in situ” biorememedation of Buddha Nala of Ludhiana last year. Please note the Bioremediation can be either in situ or ex situ. In in situ remediation, consortia of microbes are used in the water resource itself such as nala, river, pond etc. In ex situ bioremediation involves removal of waste materials and their collection at a place to facilitate microbial degradation. In the recent project at Buddha Nala , SERI used the green bridge’ technology that uses ecological process to absorb pollutants to restore the nullah. In this technology, Green Bridges, which are temporary barricades filled with microbes are erected at a distance of around 1 km from each other. As the water passes thru the successive green bridges, the Biological Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand get reduced greatly. The technology has shown a reduction in pollution level in the nullah to 70 per cent.

Both 1 & 2 are correct
The Ministry of Environment & Forests has released the CRZ Notification, 2011 which has now replaced the CRZ Notification, 1991. Apart from that, the Island Protection Zone Notification, 2011 has been notified for the first time covering the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
Objectives:
1.Protection of livelihoods of traditional fisher folk communities
2.Preservation of coastal ecology
3.Promotion of economic activity that have necessarily to be located in coastal regions.
Background:
The CRZ Notification 1991 has been amended for 25 times up till now and among the new features, it includes Goa, Kerala, Greater Mumbai and critically vulnerable coastal areas (CVCAs) like Sunderban Mangrove Area, Chilka and Bhitarkanika (Orissa), Gulf of Khambat and Gulf of Kutchh (Gujarat), Malwan (Maharashtra), Karwar and Kundapur (Karnataka), Vembanad (Kerala), Coringa, East Godavari and Krishna Delta (Andhra Pardesh), Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu).
What is the limit of the CRZ Area?
CRZ area now includes the water area up to 12 nautical miles in the sea and the entire water area of a tidal water body such as creek, river, estuary, etc.
Does the above area impose any restriction on Fishing activities?
No, it does not impose any restrictions of fishing activities.
What is CZMP?
The CRZ notification 2011 enshrines that concept of a Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP). It will be prepared with the fullest involvement and
participation of local communities.
What is the definition of the No development Zone?
The “no development zone” definition has been changed. It is reduced from 200 metres from the high-tide line to 100 meters only. This has been done to
meet increased demands of housing of fishing and other traditional coastal communities.
What is proposed enactment to protect the traditional rights of the Fishermen?
As per recommendation of the expert committee headed by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, that Government should enact a law to protect the traditional rights and interests of fishermen and coastal communities, is under proposal. This law would be somewhat along the lines of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Fishermen associations have supported this recommendation. The MoE&F has already prepared such a draft law in this regard and put it in the public domain for comments and suggestions.
What about the demand for Coastal Zone Regulation law?
There has been a demand from fishermen associations that instead of having a Notification under Environment Protection Act, 1986, Government should enact a coastal zone regulation law to be passed by Parliament. This is because a notification does provide considerable flexibility to the Executive. The ministry acknowledges and appreciates that a law passed by Parliament will enhance public confidence and trust that amendments are introduced after adequate debate and
Why CRZ Notification is so important?
India has a long coastline of 7,500km, ranging from Gujarat to West Bengal, and two island archipelagos (Andaman Island and Lakshadweep). Our coastal ecosystems provide protection from natural disasters such as floods and tsunamis to the 250 million people who live in our coastal areas. Coastal waters provide a source of primary livelihood to 7 million households. Our marine ecosystems are a treasure trove of biodiversity, which we are only beginning to discover and catalogue. Thus our coastline is both a precious natural resource and an important economic asset, and we need a robust progressive framework to regulate our coast.