Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006, divided developmental projects in two categories, i.e., Category A and Category B. Category A’ projects are assessed at national level by the Impact Assessment Agency (IAA) and the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC). Category B projects are assessed at state level.

Notes:
A cryogenic storage facility which is used to archive biological samples for use in research and experiments is known as Biobank. Biobanks are an important resource in medical research which support many types of contemporary research like genomics and personalized medicine.

Notes:
Earth Hour is a global event which is organized by WWF. On this day households and businesses turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for an hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.

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Cellulose for industrial use is mainly obtained from wood pulp and cotton. Cellulose is the major constituent of paper, paperboard, and card stock. It is also the main ingredient of textiles made from cotton, linen, and other plant fibres. It can be turned into rayon, an important fiber that has been used for textiles since the beginning of the 20th century.

Notes:
Old compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs lead to mercury pollution. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, common CFL bulbs contain 3-5 milligrams (mg) of mercury. CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps, contain mercury as a vapor inside the glass. Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal that exists in several forms. Human contact with mercury, in any form, can produce toxic effects if the dose is high enough.

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For the protection of coral reefs, the Gulf of Kutch was declared Marine National Park under the provisions of the Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972. It is the first national marine park of India.

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Guru Ghasidas National Park, formerly known as Sanjay National Park, is situated in Koriya district of Chhattisgarh. It has been named after the state’s Satnami reformist hero, Guru Ghasidas. A part of the Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve, it is located in the Narmada Valley dry deciduous forests ecoregion.

Notes:
The Gold Panda is the highest conservation award by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the leading global environmental organisation. WWF is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1961, working in the field of the wilderness preservation, and the reduction of humanity’s footprint on the environment.

Notes:
Macquarie Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a subantarctic island 1,500 km southeast of Tasmania. It is a unique geological wonder, composed of oceanic crust and mantle rocks exposed above sea level. The island is home to 28 native vertebrates, including the royal penguin and Macquarie Island shag, with over 750,000 royal penguin pairs breeding annually. The island is also known for its megaherbs and endemic plants like the cushion plant Azorella macquariensis. It has no permanent human population but hosts a research station since 1948. The island’s ecosystem has been impacted by introduced species like rabbits and cats, leading to conservation efforts. Macquarie Island is subject to fierce winds and is an important site for seabirds and seals, with 3.5 million seabirds and 80,000 elephant seals arriving each year to breed and molt.

Notes:
The Okavango Delta in Botswana was inscribed as the 1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. This inland delta, formed by the Okavango River, spans 6-15,000 square kilometers undergoing seasonal flooding. It is a refuge for over 260,000 mammals and 400 bird species, including endangered species. The delta’s unique ecosystem provides a source of fresh water, food, and job opportunities through tourism while supporting indigenous communities. Ensuring biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods is the focus of the 2008 Okavango Delta Management Plan. With over 150,000 islands, Chief’s Island is the largest, demonstrating the delta’s exceptional natural beauty and ecological significance.