UPSC Environment & Ecology
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1. Consider the following statements:
- Biofertilizers supply direct nutrients to the crops.
- Biofertilizers are able to take care of Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphate needs of plants.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Neither 1 nor 2
[D] Both 1 and 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:
Biofertilizers do not supply nutrients directly to crops; instead, they contain microorganisms that enhance nutrient availability. While some help with nitrogen and phosphate, they do not provide potassium, nor do they fulfill all nutrient requirements. Thus, neither statement 1 nor 2 is correct as per the scientific definition of biofertilizers.
2. Consider the following statements regarding the Ramsar Convention:
- The Ramsar Convention is one of the important United Nations Environment Conventions.
- All the designated Ramsar Sites are listed in the Montreux Record.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
[C] Both 1 and 2 are correct
[D] Only 2 is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Neither 1 nor 2 is correct]
Notes:
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for wetland conservation adopted in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, and is not a UN convention. Only some Ramsar Sites facing ecological changes are included in the Montreux Record, not all; many do not appear on this list. Hence, neither statement 1 nor 2 is correct.
3. Consider the following statements regarding the National Green Tribunal (NGT):
- A decision by NGT is equivalent to a decree of a civil court.
- A decision by NGT is subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 2 is correct
[C] Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
[D] Both 1 and 2 are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Both 1 and 2 are correct]
Notes:
The NGT’s decisions are treated as decrees of a civil court, enabling enforcement via the Code of Civil Procedure. Furthermore, NGT orders are subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court under Article 136 of the Constitution. Thus, both statements 1 and 2 are correct, reflecting the legal status and oversight of NGT decisions.
4. Consider the following statements regarding mangrove forests:
- Mangroves are large trees and shrubs found exclusively in temperate and tropical areas.
- Mangroves contribute to carbon sequestration and act as water filters.
- Mangroves are present on both the east and west coasts of India.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 2
[B] 1 and 2 Only
[C] None
[D] 2 and 3 Only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [2 and 3 Only]
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect as mangroves can be large or small trees and are mostly found in tropical and subtropical tidal areas, not just temperate. Statement 2 is correct—mangroves aid in carbon sequestration and water filtration. Statement 3 is correct—mangroves occur on both coasts of India, e.g., the Sundarbans in the east and the Kerala coast in the west.
5. Consider the following pesticides:
- Organ chlorines
- DDT
- Chlordane
Which of the above is/are considered carcinogenic in nature as per World Health Organisation (WHO)?
[A] 2 Only
[B] 1 and 2 Only
[C] 2 and 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
All three—organochlorines, DDT, and chlordane—are classified as carcinogenic or probable carcinogens by the World Health Organisation and other international agencies. Studies link these chemicals to increased cancer risk due to their persistent organic pollutant properties and bioaccumulation. As such, 1, 2 and 3 are all correct as per current assessments by WHO and IARC.
6. Which among the following are correct features of an Ecosystem?
- It is made up of living as well as non-living components
- It is capable of independent existence
- It functions as a closed system with respect to energy flow
- The primary consumers outnumber the producers
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 & 2]
Notes:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Ecosystems consist of biotic and abiotic components and can exist independently. Statement 3 is incorrect; ecosystems are open systems with respect to energy, receiving input from the sun and losing energy as heat. Statement 4 is incorrect because primary consumers rarely outnumber producers; producer populations are usually larger.
7. Consider the following categories of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species:
- VU (Vulnerable)
- EN (Endangered)
- CR (Critically Endangered)
- EW (Extinct in the Wild)
Which among the following is the correct order of the categories showing increasing threat to the species in these categories?
[A] 2, 1, 3, 4
[B] 1, 3, 2, 4
[C] 4, 1, 2, 3
[D] 1, 2, 3, 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3, 4]
Notes:
In the IUCN Red List, the sequence of increasing threat is: Vulnerable (VU) < Endangered (EN) < Critically Endangered (CR) < Extinct in the Wild (EW). Each consecutive category reflects a higher risk, culminating in EW, where species survive only in captivity but no longer in the wild. Thus, 1, 2, 3, 4 is correct.
8. Consider the following statements:
- Wild elephants have been protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Captive elephants in India do not come under the purview of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:
Both wild and captive elephants are listed as endangered and protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Act makes provisions for the protection and welfare of captive elephants, including mandatory ownership certification and appropriate care standards. Therefore, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect.
9. Which of the following fauna are endemic to India?
- Nilgiri Langur
- Asiatic Lion
- Namdhapa Flying Squirrel
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 & 3]
Notes:
Nilgiri Langur and Namdhapa Flying Squirrel are endemic to India, found exclusively in the Western Ghats and Namdapha National Park, respectively. Asiatic Lion, although surviving today only in India’s Gir Forest, is not considered endemic since it historically ranged beyond India. Hence, only statements 1 and 3 are correct.
10. Consider the following statements:
- Saltwater crocodile is the largest of all living reptiles.
- Saltwater crocodile is listed as an endangered species in the IUCN Red List.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 2
[B] Both 1 and 2
[C] Neither 1 nor 2
[D] Only 1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Only 1]
Notes:
Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest living reptile and the biggest terrestrial and riparian predator globally. It is classified as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List, not endangered. Therefore, only the first statement is correct, and the second statement is incorrect.
