The National Wetland Restoration Mission 2.0 is a continuation and expansion of previous efforts. What is a key characteristic of this mission in 2026?
A It exclusively focuses on coastal wetlands.
B It incorporates advanced monitoring technologies and community participation.
C It mandates the complete prohibition of any human activity near wetlands.
D It prioritizes the development of infrastructure around wetlands.
Answer: B
The Mission 2.0 emphasizes the integration of modern technologies for better monitoring and assessment of wetland health, alongside fostering active involvement of local communities in conservation efforts.
12.
Considering the current context of 2026, which of the following is a primary objective of the National Wetland Restoration Mission 2.0, launched by the Indian government?
A To convert all wetlands into agricultural land for food security.
B To enhance the conservation and restoration of India's wetlands and their ecosystem services.
C To promote commercial tourism in all protected wetland areas.
D To reduce the number of Ramsar sites in India to focus resources.
Answer: B
The National Wetland Restoration Mission 2.0, building upon its predecessor, aims to significantly improve the conservation status of wetlands across India, focusing on ecological restoration and the sustainable use of their services.
13.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging, a key policy tool to manage plastic waste, primarily mandates:
A Consumers to segregate plastic waste at source.
B Local municipalities to collect and process all plastic waste.
C Producers, importers, and brand-owners to be responsible for the collection and recycling of their plastic waste.
D Retailers to stop selling products packaged in plastic.
Answer: C
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging makes producers, importers, and brand-owners responsible for the collection, segregation, and environmentally sound management of the plastic waste generated from their products after their use by consumers.
14.
In India, the nationwide ban on identified single-use plastic (SUP) items came into effect from which year?
A 2020
B 2021
C 2022
D 2023
Answer: C
The nationwide ban on identified single-use plastic (SUP) items came into effect in India from July 1, 2022, as part of the government's efforts to curb plastic pollution.
15.
The "Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar" campaign, an initiative to combat plastic pollution in coastal ecosystems, was launched with the primary objective of:
A Promoting deep-sea fishing activities.
B Conducting a 75-day citizen-led coastal clean-up drive across 75 beaches.
C Establishing new marine protected areas.
D Developing advanced technologies for ocean plastic recycling.
Answer: B
The "Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar" campaign, launched in 2022, is a 75-day citizen-led campaign to clean up 75 beaches across India, aiming to raise awareness about marine plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices.
16.
As of early 2026, India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention. What is the significance of a site being designated as a 'Ramsar Site'?
A It signifies the site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
B It identifies wetlands of international importance.
C It grants exclusive fishing rights to local communities.
D It declares the site as a national park.
Answer: B
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. A 'Ramsar Site' designation identifies wetlands of international importance, especially those providing waterfowl habitat.
17.
Which of the following is the primary legal framework governing wetland conservation and management in India?
A Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
B Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
C Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017
D Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Answer: C
The Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, serve as the primary legal framework for the conservation and management of wetlands in India.
18.
The "Amrit Dharohar" scheme, recently launched by the Indian government, is primarily associated with the conservation and optimal use of which ecological feature?
A Mountain ecosystems
B Desert flora and fauna
C Wetlands
D Coastal mangroves
Answer: C
The "Amrit Dharohar" scheme, launched in June 2023, aims to promote the optimal use of wetlands, enhance biodiversity, carbon stock, ecotourism opportunities, and income generation for local communities, thereby focusing on wetland conservation.
19.
Which Indian state recorded the highest tiger population as per the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation report?
A Karnataka
B Uttarakhand
C Maharashtra
D Madhya Pradesh
Answer: D
Madhya Pradesh continued to have the highest tiger population in India with 785 tigers, followed by Karnataka (563) and Uttarakhand (560), as per the 2022 AITE report.
20.
According to the latest All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) report released in April 2023, what was the estimated average tiger population in India?
A 2,967
B 3,167
C 3,682
D 3,925
Answer: C
The All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) report released in April 2023 (based on 2022 data) estimated the average tiger population in India to be 3,682. The minimum population was 3,167, and the maximum was 3,925.
