Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs
This category comprises 50 random questions from the total 74 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) in Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs category published in gktoday from 1 January, 2019 till July 4, 2020.
21. The ‘Task Force on Blue Economy for Sustainable Development’ is a collaboration between India and which country?
[A] Switzerland
[B] Norway
[C] Sweden
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Norway]
Notes:
The India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy for Sustainable Development was recently inaugurated by India’s Earth Sciences Minister- Harsh Vardhan and Norway’s Minister for Climate and Environment.
The two countries also started a new framework for cooperation in ‘Integrated Ocean Management & Research’. The task force was introduced in January 2019, jointly by the Prime Ministers of India and Norway.
22. As per the ‘State of India’s Birds Report 2020’, which bird species showed a big increase in population?
[A] Indian peafowl
[B] Great Indian Bustard
[C] Common Ostrich
[D] Turkey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian peafowl]
Notes:
The ‘State of India’s Birds Report 2020’ was recently released during the 13th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 13).
As per the report, 79 per cent of Indian species of birds declined in population while the number of Indian pea fowls has significantly increased. The number of house sparrows remained almost stable across the country. The report classified 101 species in the ‘high conservation’ category.
23. ‘Great Indian Bustard, Asian Elephant and Bengal Florican’ have been classified as which category under the UN’s Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species?
[A] Endangered migratory species
[B] Migratory species conserved through Agreements
[C] Critically Endangered Species
[D] Vulnerable Species
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Endangered migratory species]
Notes:
India has proposed the inclusion of the three species: Great Indian Bustard, Asian Elephant and Bengal Florican in the global list for international protection under the UN’s Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species.
The proposal was accepted unanimously by all 130 countries at the ongoing 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS COP 13). Such species are listed on Appendix I of the Convention and are protected across the world.
24. Vellbergia bartholomaei , which was seen in news recently, belongs to which species?
[A] Frog
[B] Lizard
[C] Spider
[D] Snake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lizard]
Notes:
According to the recent research done by the researchers of Harvard University, a new prehistoric reptile species was discovered, which was claimed to be an ancestor to modern-day lizards and snakes.
The ancient lizard is called as ‘Vellbergia bartholomaei’ and this discovery is expected to reveal several details about the revolution of four-legged creatures.
25. Which state Government has ordered destruction of breeding centres of Thai Mangur fish?
[A] Odisha
[B] West Bengal
[C] Assam
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The Thai Mangur fish, which has a similar appearance like fresh water Mangur, is cultivated in highly unhygienic conditions in the state and it causes sickness to people on consumption.
Hence, the Maharashtra government has launched a special drive to destroy the cultivation centres of the exotic Thai Mangur fish. The Head of the state fisheries department has ordered a ban on sale of the fish. The National Green Tribunal had earlier banned the sale of the fish species in 2000.
26. India’s first commercial Liquified Compressed natural gas (LNG) bus was launched in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
India’s first commercial Liquified Compressed natural gas (LNG) bus, which was developed by Petronet, was recently launched in the city of Kochi, Kerala.
It is claimed that the bus will be able to travel up to 900 km in a single filling. Petronet also has plans to open 28 LNG dispensing stations in India and four stations in Kerala. LNG is both environment friendly and cost efficient compared to diesel.
27. The study of the fossil of a fish called Elpistostege watsoni revealed the evolutionary origin of which part of the human body?
[A] Heart
[B] Hand
[C] Lungs
[D] Brain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hand]
Notes:
The recent research of the fossil of a fish called Elpistostege watsoni has revealed the evolutionary origin of human hands.
After the research on the fossil of the fish, which was believed to be in today’s Canada about 380 million years ago, scientists have found the evolutionary origins. This research represents a crucial stage in the history of life on Earth especially the transition of fish to land vertebrates.
28. According to a recent study, the glaciers of which India state are losing mass faster than other parts of the Himalayas?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Sikkim
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sikkim]
Notes:
The Scientists from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun have recently found that glaciers in Sikkim are melting at a higher magnitude than other Himalayan regions. The Institute is an autonomous research institute for the study of Geology of the Himalayas, under the Department of Science and Technology.
The study, which has been published in Science of the Total Environment, revealed that glaciers in Sikkim have deglaciated at a higher magnitude from 1991 to 2015. They also revealed that small-sized glaciers in Sikkim are disappearing and larger glaciers are thinning due to climate change.
29. The term ‘Long Range Forecast (LRF)’, which was seen in news recently, is used to predict which parameter?
[A] Inflation
[B] Industrial Production
[C] Monsoon Rainfall
[D] Pandemic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Monsoon Rainfall]
Notes:
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has recently released the first stage of Long Range Forecast (LRF) for south-west monsoon season.
As per its forecast, the southwest monsoon from June to September over India may be normal across the country. It also forecasted that the intensity of monsoon rainfall would be between 96 and 104 per cent of the long period average (LPA) of the country, which is 880 mm during 1961-2010.
30. Which newly discovered species in Arunachal Pradesh has been named after Salazar, a fictional character of the Harry Potter series?
[A] Spider
[B] Viper
[C] Turtle
[D] Grasshopper
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Viper]
Notes:
A team of Indian herpetologists, who study about amphibians and reptiles, have recently discovered a new species of viper family.
The green pit viper, which was found at the Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, has been named after Salazar Slytherin, a fictional character of the Harry Potter series, as Trimeresurus Salazar. The male viper has orange to reddish stripe on its head and body.
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