According to recent climate reports, what is the primary consequence of accelerated Himalayan glacial melt for downstream regions?
A Permanent increase in perennial river flow
B Increased risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)
C Decrease in soil fertility due to glacial silt
D Stabilization of monsoon patterns
Answer: B
Accelerated melting leads to the formation of unstable glacial lakes, significantly increasing the risk of GLOFs, which pose severe threats to downstream infrastructure and communities.
52.
Which of the following is a key strategy promoted under India's circular economy policy to reduce plastic footprint?
A Encouraging single-use plastic production
B Promoting the use of virgin plastic only
C Adopting the 4R principle: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover
D Increasing landfill disposal of plastic waste
Answer: C
The policy emphasizes the 4R framework (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover) to transition from a linear 'take-make-dispose' model to a circular economy model.
53.
What is the core objective of the 'Extended Producer Responsibility' (EPR) framework under India's circular economy policy for plastics?
A To provide subsidies to plastic manufacturers for new production
B To mandate the collection and recycling of plastic packaging waste by producers
C To ban all forms of plastic production by 2030
D To promote the import of high-quality plastic raw materials
Answer: B
EPR mandates that producers, importers, and brand owners are responsible for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life, specifically focusing on collection and recycling targets.
54.
Which ministry is the primary nodal agency for the implementation of the National Circular Economy Policy for Plastics in India?
A Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
B Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
C Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
D Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Answer: A
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the nodal agency responsible for framing and implementing policies related to plastic waste management and circular economy in India.
55.
The concept of 'Land Degradation Neutrality' (LDN) is central to global efforts against desertification. What does Land Degradation Neutrality aim to achieve by a specified target year?
A To halt all forms of land degradation globally.
B To restore degraded lands to a level where the amount of healthy, productive land is maintained or increased.
C To convert all degraded lands into forests.
D To reduce the rate of desertification by 50%.
Answer: B
Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) is a global target under the UNCCD, aiming to achieve a balance between the amount of land that is degraded and the amount of land that is restored. It seeks to ensure that the amount of healthy and productive land is maintained or increased, rather than eliminating all degradation, which is often not feasible.
56.
India has launched several initiatives to combat desertification. Which of the following is a prominent national programme contributing to this effort?
A National Mission for Green India.
B Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
C National Afforestation Programme (NAP).
D All of the above.
Answer: D
All the mentioned programmes contribute significantly to combating desertification in India. The National Mission for Green India focuses on increasing forest and tree cover, PMKSY aims to improve water use efficiency in agriculture, and the National Afforestation Programme specifically targets afforestation in degraded forest lands, all of which are crucial for desertification control.
57.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a key international framework for addressing land degradation. In 2026, which of the following is a significant focus area for new initiatives aimed at desertification control?
A Promoting drought-resistant crop varieties and water-efficient irrigation techniques.
B Implementing large-scale afforestation projects in arid and semi-arid regions.
C Enhancing community participation and traditional knowledge in land restoration.
D All of the above.
Answer: D
New initiatives for desertification control in 2026, aligned with UNCCD goals, typically encompass a multi-pronged approach. This includes promoting drought-resistant crops and water-efficient irrigation, undertaking large-scale afforestation, and crucially, integrating community participation and traditional knowledge for sustainable land management and restoration.
58.
The Green Credit Programme (GCP) is envisioned as a platform where individuals and organizations can earn credits for undertaking specific environmental activities. Which of the following is NOT a category of environmental activity eligible for generating green credits under the GCP?
A Water conservation and management.
B Waste management and circular economy.
C Sustainable agriculture and soil health.
D Industrial pollution control through technological upgrades.
Answer: D
While industrial pollution control is crucial, the GCP primarily focuses on incentivizing direct environmental stewardship activities like afforestation, water conservation, waste management, and sustainable agriculture. Technological upgrades for pollution control, while beneficial, are not directly incentivized as a credit-generating activity under the current framework of GCP.
59.
Under the Green Credit Programme (GCP), who is primarily responsible for developing and issuing guidelines for the registration of landowners and the generation of green credits?
A The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
B The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
C The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
D The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Answer: C
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) has been designated as the primary agency responsible for developing and issuing guidelines for the registration of landowners and the generation of green credits under the GCP. This ensures scientific rigor and standardized methodologies.
60.
The Green Credit Programme (GCP), launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, aims to incentivize environmentally positive actions. Which of the following is a key objective of the GCP?
A To promote afforestation and reforestation activities.
B To encourage sustainable agricultural practices.
C To facilitate the trading of environmental goods and services.
D All of the above.
Answer: D
The Green Credit Programme (GCP) aims to create a market-based mechanism to encourage environmentally positive actions. Its objectives include promoting afforestation, reforestation, sustainable agriculture, water conservation, waste management, and air pollution reduction, thereby facilitating the trading of environmental goods and services.
