Environment & Ecology MCQs - 2026-08-31

The Supreme Court's intervention in 2026 focused on the critical issue of bird mortality due to collisions with overhead power lines. The court directed the installation of bird diverters and undergrounding of power lines in priority areas to protect the Great Indian Bustard.

Captive breeding programs, such as those initiated at the Desert National Park in Rajasthan, are crucial for increasing the GIB population. These programs aim to breed bustards in controlled environments and eventually reintroduce them into the wild.

Habitat loss and fragmentation, primarily due to the expansion of agriculture, industrial development, and infrastructure projects like power lines, are the most significant threats to the Great Indian Bustard. These activities reduce their feeding grounds and breeding sites.

The expansion of the GCP in 2026 has incorporated sustainable agriculture practices as a key area for generating green credits, alongside existing sectors like water conservation and afforestation. This move aims to promote eco-friendly farming.

The GCP aims to create a market where individuals, industries, and local bodies can generate and trade 'green credits' by undertaking environmentally positive activities. This market-based approach encourages voluntary environmental action.

The initial framework of the Green Credit Programme focuses on nature-based solutions and community participation. While industrial processes can contribute to carbon sequestration, the GCP's direct incentives are geared towards actions like water conservation, waste management, afforestation, and air pollution reduction.