Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

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Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities. Some of the diseases which are caused due to poor water hygiene are Leprosy, Trachoma, and Conjunctivitis.

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According to the Emissions Gap Report which is released by the United Nations Environment Programme, the top four emitters of greenhouse gases globally are China, India, United States of America and the European Union.

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Global hectare used as a measurement of biocapacity of the entire earth. One global hectare is a measurement of the average biocapacity of all hectare measurements of any biologically productive areas on the planet earth.

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An Air Quality Index (AQI) of 301-500 is considered as hazardous to human health. It denotes the severely polluted state of air. AQI values over 300 trigger health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is even more likely to be affected by serious health effects.

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Around the world, there is an increasing trend in areas of land, surface waters and groundwater affected by contamination because of one reason or other. However in the last three decades a special interest in the world has aroused by the potential of using the biological methods in the waste water treatment. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) constitutes an important part of an aquatic ecosystem. Water hyacinth as a very promising plant with tremendous application in wastewater treatment is already proved. Water hyacinth is used to treat waste water from dairies, tanneries, sugar factories, pulp and paper industries, palm oil mills, distilleries, etc.

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DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl trichloro ethane) is a persistent organic pollutant that is readily adsorbed into soils and sediments, which can act both as sinks and as long-term sources of exposure affecting organisms. It pollutes the ground water system which contaminates the entire food chain by severely affecting humans dependent on these.

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Ranthambore National park is spread over an area of 392 sq km. along with its nearby sanctuaries like, the Mansingh Sanctuary and Kaila Devi Sanctuary. The park is majorly famous for its tigers, and is one of the best locations in India to see the majestic predators in its natural habitat.

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Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968. This park is known for high density of Tigers. The park derives its name from the most prominent hillock of the area, which was said to be given by Hindu Lord Rama to his brother Lakshmana to keep a watch on Lanka (Ceylon).

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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.

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K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, is recognized globally as the largest sand island. Located in Queensland, Australia, this World Heritage-listed island covers a vast expanse of 120 kilometers. Further adding to its ecological significance, it harbors varied ecosystems ranging from rainforests to perched freshwater lakes. Notably, it serves as a habitat for a pure breed of dingoes and is home to Boomanjin Lake, the world’s largest perched lake. The island carries a historic and cultural resonance as it was once associated with the Butchulla people and used as an Allied training base during World War II.