Environment & Ecology MCQs - 2026-10-20

Light-colored and reflective materials, often referred to as 'cool pavements', have a higher albedo (reflectivity) than dark materials like asphalt. This means they reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat, thus helping to lower surface temperatures and reduce the UHI effect.

Green roofs, covered with vegetation, absorb solar radiation and reduce the amount of heat transferred into the building and released into the surrounding environment. This helps in lowering surface temperatures and mitigating the UHI effect, while also providing insulation benefits.

The dense concentration of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure made of concrete and asphalt, coupled with a lack of vegetation, absorbs and retains more heat, leading to higher temperatures in urban areas compared to rural surroundings. This is a primary driver of the UHI effect.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the primary international treaty addressing land degradation and desertification. India's conservation efforts, including those focused on biodiversity, often align with and contribute to the goals of the UNCCD.

The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the world's largest mangrove forest and a critical ecosystem for biodiversity. India has ongoing initiatives, including the Mangrove Initiative, to conserve and restore these vital habitats.

The Amrit Dharohar Initiative, launched in 2023 and continuing its focus in 2026, aims to promote the sustainable use of wetlands, enhance their conservation, and encourage local communities to participate in their management, thereby promoting biodiversity.