Environment & Ecology MCQs

The MISHTI scheme focuses on coastal states and Union Territories with existing or potential mangrove areas. Punjab is a landlocked state and does not have natural mangrove ecosystems, unlike West Bengal, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands which have significant mangrove cover.

The MISHTI scheme leverages the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Fund, and other sources for mangrove plantation and conservation activities.

The MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24 to restore and protect mangroves along India's coastline and salt pan lands.

While nuclear power is a non-fossil fuel source and contributes to clean energy, it is generally categorized separately from renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro in India's energy targets and policies. Renewable energy typically refers to sources that are naturally replenished.

India has committed to meeting 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030, as part of its enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

India has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2070, as announced at COP26 in Glasgow.

The Sundarbans faces significant challenges including human-wildlife conflict due to proximity of human settlements and the unique threat of rising sea levels and increased salinity due to climate change, which impacts the mangrove ecosystem.

The Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world, shared by India and Bangladesh, and is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Project Tiger was launched in 1973 with the objective of ensuring a viable population of Bengal tigers in their natural habitats and to protect them from extinction.

The NGT enforces a wide range of environmental rules, including the Solid Waste Management Rules, Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, Plastic Waste Management Rules, and E-Waste (Management) Rules, all of which are crucial for industrial zones.