11. Consider the following statements regarding the REDD Mechanism:
- It aims at overall reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from deforestation.
- It is a mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
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: D [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
BOTH statements are correct. The REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) mechanism was established under the UNFCCC to incentivize developing countries to reduce forest-based GHG emissions, recognizing economic value for preserved forests. It targets emission mitigation from deforestation and is directly linked to international climate policy frameworks.
12. Consider the following statements:
- Aerobic digestion is a natural process in which bacteria convert organic materials into biogas.
- As of now, conversion of biogas into liquid fuel is not possible.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 Only
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect as biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion, not aerobic digestion. Statement 2 is also incorrect since biogas can be upgraded and converted to liquid fuels like biomethane. Thus, neither statement is correct as per current scientific knowledge on biogas technologies.
13. Consider the following statements regarding the hazards of pesticides and their movement in ecological systems:
- Bio-concentration occurs within an organism, while bio-amplification occurs across different levels of a food chain.
- Bio-concentration generally pertains to inorganic substances such as metals, whereas bio-amplification is characteristic of organic persistent chemicals.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 2 is correct
[C] Both 1 and 2 are correct
[D] Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 is correct]
Notes:
Statement 1 is correct: bio-concentration refers to chemical buildup within an organism, while bio-amplification (biomagnification) is the increase of substance concentration up the food chain. Statement 2 is incorrect because both bio-concentration and bio-amplification typically involve organic persistent chemicals rather than being strictly limited to inorganic substances like metals.
14. Consider the following statements regarding the advantages offered by plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products:
- They can help to reduce water footprint.
- They can help to fight global warming.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Both 1 and 2
[B] Only 1
[C] Only 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Both statements are correct. Plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products require significantly less water for production compared to animal-based products. Additionally, they produce markedly fewer greenhouse gas emissions, thus mitigating global warming. Livestock farming is a major contributor to water use and greenhouse emissions; shifting to plant-based alternatives addresses both concerns effectively.
15. Consider the following statements:
- Overgrazing is one of the major reasons for desertification.
- If managed properly, grazing can increase wildlife diversity and the overall health of grasslands.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Both 1 and 2
[B] Only 1
[C] Only 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Both statements are correct. Overgrazing depletes plant cover, leading to soil erosion and is a key driver of desertification. Well-managed grazing, such as rotational or planned grazing, helps mimic natural ecosystems, promoting nutrient cycling, plant regrowth, and enhancing grassland biodiversity. Studies show that such management supports diverse wildlife and improves ecosystem health.
16. Consider the following statements regarding the impact of permafrost thawing as highlighted by the UN special report on climate change, with reference to the situation in India:
- Permafrost thawing can trigger glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF).
- Permafrost terrain has been identified in certain regions of the Indian Himalayas.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 2 is correct
[C] Both 1 and 2 are correct
[D] Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2 are correct]
Notes:
Statement 1 is correct as permafrost thawing can destabilize slopes and lead to glacial lake outburst floods, threatening downstream infrastructure. Statement 2 is correct since studies, particularly in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, have mapped permafrost terrain in the Indian Himalayas. Thus, both statements accurately reflect environmental changes noted in India.
17. Which of the following pairs regarding natural vegetation of India and associated annual rainfall are correctly matched?
- Tropical evergreen forests – Above 200 cm
- Tropical deciduous forests – 100-200 cm
- Tropical dry forests – 50-100 cm
- Terai – Less than 50 cm
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 1, 2 & 3
[C] Only 1, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Tropical evergreen forests require rainfall above 200 cm. Tropical deciduous forests grow in areas with 100-200 cm rainfall. Tropical dry forests receive 50-100 cm annually. The Terai region, at the Himalayan foothills, receives less than 50 cm rainfall. Thus, all statements given are correctly matched with respective rainfall.
18. Which of the following is an in-situ mechanism of protection of biodivetrsity?
- National Park
- Wildlife sanctuary
- Botanical gardens
- Zoo
Select the correct answer from the codes given below-
[A] 1,2,3,4
[B] 1 and 2 only
[C] 2 and 3 only
[D] 1 and 3 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]
Notes:
In- Situ mechanism of biodiversity protection refers to the on-site conservation of the species in their natural conditions. In Botanical gardens and zoos the species are shifted form their natural environment to the created environment hence they are ex-situ mode of conservation.
19. Which among the following is most commonly found Coral Reef?
- Fringing Reef
- Barrier Reef
- Atoll
Select the correct code from the options given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 3
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:
Fringing Reef: The coral reefs that are found very close to the land and forms a shallow lagoon known as Boat Channel are called Fringing Coral Reefs. The Fringing Reefs develop along the islands and the continental margins. They grow from the deep bottom of the sea and have their seaward side sloping steeply into the deep sea. Fringing Reefs are the most commonly found coral reefs among the three.
20. India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 provides data on the percentage of forest cover (as a proportion of total geographical area) for different states. Consider the following states:
- Mizoram
- Meghalaya
- Arunachal Pradesh
Arrange the above states in ascending order of their forest cover (percentage of geographical area). Which one of the following is the correct sequence?
[A] 1, 2, 3
[B] 1, 3, 2
[C] 2, 3, 1
[D] 3, 2, 1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2, 3, 1]
Notes:
According to ISFR 2023, Meghalaya has the lowest forest cover percentage (approx. 76.33%) among the three, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (around 79.33%). Mizoram has the highest (about 85.34%). Thus, the correct ascending order of forest cover is: Meghalaya (2), Arunachal Pradesh (3), and Mizoram (1), i.e., 2, 3, 1.
