Environment & Ecology MCQs - 2026-09-17

India is actively participating in the ongoing negotiations for a legally binding international instrument on plastic pollution, often referred to as the Global Plastic Treaty, under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This treaty aims to address the full lifecycle of plastic, including marine litter.

India banned the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of identified single-use plastic items from July 1, 2022, as part of its efforts to curb plastic pollution, including in coastal areas.

The 'Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar' (Clean Coast, Safe Sea) campaign was launched in July 2022, covering 75 beaches across 75 districts along India's coastline. It aimed to clean up beaches and promote sustainable practices to combat marine plastic pollution.

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

Madhya Pradesh continued to have the largest tiger population in India with 785 tigers, followed by Karnataka (563) and Uttarakhand (560), as per the 2022 tiger census.

The 5th cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation (2022) reported a minimum of 3,167 tigers, with an upper limit of 3,682 and an average of 3,682. The Prime Minister announced the minimum figure of 3,167 on April 9, 2023, which was later updated to an average of 3,682.

Green Hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electrolyzer powered by renewable energy sources like solar or wind. This process ensures minimal to zero greenhouse gas emissions.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission targets an annual Green Hydrogen production capacity of 5 million tonnes by 2030, along with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2023, aims to position India as a global hub for the production, utilization, and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. It seeks to reduce fossil fuel imports and decarbonize major economic sectors.