A new strategy for biodiversity conservation in the Western Ghats emphasizes the importance of 'landscape-level conservation'. What does this approach primarily entail?
A Focusing only on protected areas like national parks and sanctuaries.
B Conserving biodiversity across entire ecological regions, including human-dominated areas.
C Restricting all human activities within the Western Ghats.
D Prioritizing only the conservation of plant species.
Answer: B
Landscape-level conservation considers the broader ecological context, including the connectivity between habitats and the impact of human activities, aiming for conservation across the entire landscape.
192.
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known for its exceptional biodiversity. Which of the following is a key characteristic of its ecosystem?
A Arid desert landscape
B Tropical monsoon forest
C Arctic tundra
D Savanna grassland
Answer: B
The Western Ghats are characterized by tropical monsoon forests, which support a vast array of endemic species.
193.
Which of the following is NOT a 'promoter' of Mission LiFE?
A Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
B Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
C Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
D Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Answer: C
The key ministries involved in promoting Mission LiFE include Environment, Forest and Climate Change; New and Renewable Energy; and Housing and Urban Affairs, among others. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is not typically listed as a primary promoter.
194.
What is the primary objective of Mission LiFE?
A To increase fossil fuel consumption for economic growth.
B To promote a global movement of environmentally conscious individuals and institutions.
C To encourage large-scale industrial pollution.
D To focus solely on government-led environmental policies.
Answer: B
Mission LiFE aims to mobilize at least one billion people to take climate action by 2027, focusing on individual and community-level behavioral changes.
195.
Mission LiFE, which aims to promote sustainable lifestyles, was launched by India at which international event?
A COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow
B UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh
C World Economic Forum in Davos
D G20 Summit in Bali
Answer: B
Mission LiFE was launched by India and the UN Secretary-General at the COP27 Climate Summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022.
196.
Which major river systems in Asia are significantly fed by Himalayan glaciers?
A Amazon and Nile
B Yangtze and Yellow River
C Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra
D Congo and Niger
Answer: C
The Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra river systems, along with others like the Mekong and Yangtze, are critically dependent on meltwater from Himalayan glaciers, supporting a vast population in South and Southeast Asia.
197.
What are the potential consequences of accelerated Himalayan glacier retreat for the downstream regions?
A Increased water availability in the long term
B Reduced risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs)
C Disruption of river flows and water scarcity
D Improved soil fertility due to increased sediment deposition
Answer: C
Accelerated melting initially increases water flow, but in the long run, it leads to reduced glacier mass, impacting river flows and potentially causing water scarcity for millions dependent on these rivers for drinking water, agriculture, and hydropower.
198.
According to recent reports, the rate of Himalayan glacier retreat has significantly accelerated. What is the primary driver of this accelerated retreat?
A Natural climate cycles
B Increased volcanic activity
C Anthropogenic climate change and global warming
D Changes in Earth's orbit
Answer: C
Scientific consensus points to human-induced climate change, primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions leading to global warming, as the main cause of accelerated glacier melt worldwide, including in the Himalayas.
199.
Which of the following is NOT a key feature of the new National Wetland Conservation Policy?
A Establishment of a Central Wetland Regulatory Authority.
B Development of a national wetland inventory and assessment.
C Prohibition of all human activities within notified wetlands.
D Promotion of community participation in wetland management.
Answer: C
The policy emphasizes 'wise use' which allows for sustainable human activities, rather than a complete prohibition of all activities. It focuses on regulation and management, not outright bans.
200.
What is the primary objective of the new National Wetland Conservation Policy?
A To promote commercial aquaculture in all wetlands.
B To prevent the conservation and wise use of all wetlands.
C To ensure the conservation and sustainable management of wetlands.
D To convert wetlands into urban development areas.
Answer: C
The policy aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of India's wetlands, recognizing their ecological, economic, and cultural importance.
