Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
The mitigation and compensation measures for all the identified significant impacts should be and financial plan for implementing the mitigation measures should be delineated under Environment Management Plan.

Notes:
Micrixalus fuscus (dusky torrent frog or brown tropical frog) is a species of small frog that is found in the dense forested hill streams in the Western Ghats.

Micrixalus saxicola (Malabar tropical frog, black torrent frog, small torrent frog, Jerdon’s olive-brown frog) is a species of frog of the Micrixalidae family and is found in the forest streams in the Western Ghats.

Notes:
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification technology that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles from drinking water. It can remove many types of dissolved and suspended species from water, including bacteria, and is used in both industrial processes and the production of potable water (Desalination of marine water). It is most commonly known for its use in drinking water purification plants particularly in countries of middle east.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty which extended the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus that global warming is occurring and that human-made CO2 emissions are driving it. 

Notes:
Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Karbi Anglong district, Assam. It is located at 92 km from Diphu. It is one of the oldest sanctuaries containing hot water spring and waterfalls and surrounded by Nambor Sanctuary having 51 rare species of orchid.

Notes:
Sikkim is the largest producer of orchids in India. The state is home to an amazing 450 species of exotic orchids alone. Annually, around 20 million stalks of orchids are produced in Sikkim. Sikkim, owing to its climatic conditions, has developed as a natural hub of orchids.

Notes:
Thalweg Doctrine is a part of international law that aims to resolve water boundary disputes. The doctrine states that the boundary between two states divided by a flowing body of water may be drawn along the thalweg, which is the line of the greatest depth of the channel. The boundary would follow the center of the principal navigable channel of the waterway.

The Thalweg Doctrine has been used in several disputes, including:

1. The Shatt al-Arab between Iraq and Iran
2. The Danube in central Europe (Croatia–Serbia border dispute)
3. The Kasikili/Sedudu Island dispute between Namibia and Botswana
4. The 2004 dispute settlement under the UN Law of the Sea

The Thalweg Doctrine has also been used in the Sir Creek dispute between India and Pakistan. The dispute is not settled yet due to a lack of trust.

Notes:
The Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the world’s largest coral reef system, spanning 2,300 kilometers and covering 344,400 square kilometers. It is home to 10% of the world’s fish species, 400 types of coral, and six of the seven species of marine turtles. The reef is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, with the widest sections reaching up to 65 kilometers. It is visible from space and supports a diverse array of marine life, including whales, dolphins, and sharks. The reef has been listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World since 1997. Despite its natural beauty, the reef faces threats from climate change, coral bleaching, and pollution, with UNESCO recommending it for the In Danger list due to these impacts.

Notes:
Purnululu National Park, situated in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia, is recognized globally for the unique, cone-shaped karst formations of the Bungle Bungle Range. This World Heritage Site, covering over 239,723 hectares, houses a rich biodiversity including 150 bird species, 40 native mammals, and 81 reptile species. Notable for its indigenous cultural significance, it is also home to three of Australia’s most venomous snakes and features distinctive landmarks such as Echidna Chasm, Cathedral Gorge, and Piccaninny Gorge.