Environment


The great hornbill, also known as the concave-casqued hornbill, great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family. It occurs in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is predominantly frugivorous, but also preys on small mammals, reptiles and birds.

The great hornbill is native to the forests of India, Bhutan, Nepal, mainland Southeast Asia and Sumatra. Its distribution is fragmented in the Western Ghats and in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: TEEB was launched in 2007 by Germany and the European Commission following a proposal by the G8+5 Environment Ministers (Potsdam meeting). While the TEEB office is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the initiative is not hosted by the IMF or the World Economic Forum.

Statement 2 is Correct: TEEB is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity. It aims to highlight the growing cost of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation by bringing together expertise from science, economics, and policy.

Statement 3 is Correct: TEEB follows a tiered approach to help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate, and capture the value of ecosystem services and biodiversity. This helps in integrating these values into policy-making and economic accounting.

Net metering (also known as net energy metering) is a solar incentive that allows you to store energy in the electric grid. When your solar panels produce excess power, that energy is sent to the grid and in exchange, you can pull from the grid when your system is under-producing like during night-time.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers actually reduces the need for nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in the soil. Plants can readily utilize the added nitrogen, so these microbes wouldn't need to fix atmospheric nitrogen for the plants' benefit.

Statement 2 is correct: Nitrogenous fertilizers can release acidic compounds as they break down in the soil, leading to increased soil acidity.

Statement 3 is correct: When applied in excess, nitrogen fertilizers (especially nitrates) can be easily washed away by rain or irrigation water. This can contaminate groundwater sources.

Statement 1 is correct: The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (activities commonly referred to as REDD).

Statement 2 is incorrect: The FCPF focuses on assisting developing countries with REDD initiatives, not funding individual scientific research.

Statement 3 is correct: To assist countries in their REDD efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance in building their capacity to benefit from possible future systems of positive incentives for REDD.

Statement 1 is incorrect: IUCN is an independent membership organization, not a UN body. Governments, NGOs, and scientific institutions can all be members.

Statement 2 is correct: IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.

Statement 3 is correct: CITES is a legally binding international agreement for countries that have ratified it. However, each member nation implements the regulations through its own domestic laws.

Statement 1 is Correct: The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established to support developing countries in limiting or reducing their greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and adapting to the impacts of climate change (adaptation). Statement 2 is Incorrect: The GCF was established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during the 2010 COP 16 in Cancun, Mexico. It is not founded under the aegis of UNEP, OECD, ADB, or the World Bank.

IndARC stands for India's first underwater observatory deployed in the Arctic region. Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:

Its location in Kongsfjorden fjord, Svalbard, Norway (situated midway between Norway and the North Pole) and deployment in the year 2014 for studies of the Arctic climate and its influence on the Indian monsoon system.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty adopted in 1987 to protect the stratospheric ozone layer. It mandates the gradual phase-out of the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. It operates under the framework of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.

- Bretton Woods Conference (1944): Led to the establishment of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. - Kyoto Protocol (1997): An international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat global warming. - Nagoya Protocol (2010): A supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) focusing on access to genetic resources and fair benefit-sharing.

Namdapha National Park is located in Arunachal Pradesh, India, in the eastern Himalayas.

Due to its significant elevation range, the park experiences a diverse range of climates.

The southern regions have a tropical to subtropical climate, while the higher elevations transition to temperate and even Arctic conditions.


Statement 1 is incorrect: The bio-toilets actually utilize bacteria, not fungi, to decompose human waste. These bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they function in an oxygen-free environment within the bio-digester tank.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The end products of decomposition in the bio-toilets are not just ammonia and water vapor. The process generates a combination of: * Treated water: This water undergoes chlorination before being released. * Methane: This gas is released in small amounts and vents into the atmosphere. * Sludge: A minimal amount of solid residue remains after decomposition.

Therefore, the correct answer is None of the above.

Statement 1 is correct: The Dugong is a herbivorous marine animal. Dugongs are marine mammals that feed on seagrass meadows.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While once more widespread, dugong populations are now concentrated in specific areas. They are primarily found in -The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay off the coast of Tamil Nadu -The Andaman and Nicobar Islands -The Gulf of Kutch

Statement 3 is correct: It is given legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.


* The National Aquatic animal of India is the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica). * The Ministry of Environment and Forests notified the Ganges River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal on 18th May 2010. * The dolphin is blind and faces a severe threat from the heavy pollution and habitat destruction in the waters where it lives. * It has been declared Endangered in the IUCN Red List, and it is assumed that fewer than 2000 individuals remain. This dolphin, called susu or susuk in India, is thought to represent the purity of the Ganga.

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is a Non-Banking Financial Institution under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for providing term loans for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Statement 1 is correct: IREDA is a Public Limited Government Company established under the Companies Act, 1956. Statement 2 is correct: IREDA is also registered as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature where living organisms (biotic factors) interact among themselves and with their physical environment (abiotic factors) such as sunlight, water, and soil.

Key components of an ecosystem: 1. Biotic Components: Includes all living things like plants, animals, and microorganisms. 2. Abiotic Components: Includes non-living elements like air, water, soil, and sunlight. 3. Interdependence: It highlights the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients between the living and non-living components.

Analysis of Options: - Option A: Describes a 'community' (only interactions between living organisms). - Option B: Describes the 'biosphere' (the zone of Earth where life exists). - Option C: Correctly defines an ecosystem as the combination of the biotic community and its abiotic environment. - Option D: Refers to the 'biota' or 'biodiversity' of a specific region.

Statement 1 is correct: Fly ash finds various applications in construction, including brick manufacturing. Its pozzolanic properties improve the strength and durability of bricks. Statement 2 is correct: Fly ash can partially replace Portland cement in concrete mixes. It reacts with the hydration byproducts of cement to form additional cementitious materials, leading to benefits like improved workability, reduced heat of hydration, and enhanced concrete performance. Statement 3 is incorrect: Fly ash primarily consists of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and calcium oxide (CaO). However, it may also contain trace amounts of heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, and chromium.

Keibul Lamjao National Park is a national park in the Bishnupur district of the state of Manipur in India. It is 40 km² in area, the only floating park in the world, located in North East India, and an integral part of Loktak Lake.


The national park is characterized by many floating decomposed plant materials locally called phumdis. To preserve the natural refuge of the endangered Manipur Eld's deer or brow-antlered deer (Cervus eldi eldi), or sangai also called the dancing deer, listed as an endangered species by IUCN.

The park, which was initially declared to be a sanctuary in 1966, was subsequently declared to be a national park in 1977 through a gazette notification.

Statement 1 is Correct: BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental conservation organizations (NGOs) that strives to conserve birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity. It currently consists of over 100 national partners across the world. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The concept of 'biodiversity hotspots' was originated by British biologist Norman Myers in 1988. The concept was later adopted and promoted by Conservation International (CI), not BirdLife International. Statement 3 is Correct: BirdLife International identifies, monitors, and protects a global network of sites known as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). These sites are critical for the conservation of the world's bird populations and broader biodiversity.

* The BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (ISFL) is managed by the World Bank.

* The World Bank's Carbon Finance Unit handles the day-to-day operations of the BioCarbon Fund, which includes ISFL. * ISFL itself acknowledges the World Bank as the permanent trustee and a key supporter.

The Rio+20 Conference, formally known as the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012. It marked the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit. The primary objectives were to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development and to assess progress and implementation gaps. The main outcome of the conference was the non-binding document titled 'The Future We Want,' which focused on poverty eradication and the transition to a green economy.

Statement 1 is correct: When pure hydrogen reacts with oxygen in a fuel cell, the only byproducts are water and heat. This is an advantage of hydrogen fuel cells, making them a clean energy source with minimal emissions.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Fuel cells can be used for various applications, including powering small devices like laptops. Portable fuel cells are being developed for this purpose. While currently less common, they hold promise for the future.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Fuel cells actually produce electricity in the form of Direct Current (DC). In some applications, an inverter might be needed to convert the DC output to AC for compatibility with the electrical grid.

Therefore, the only correct answer is 1 only.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Eco-Sensitive Zones are not under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972. They are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. While they often surround protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries and national parks established under the Wildlife Act, they are a separate mechanism.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Eco-Sensitive Zones do not prohibit all human activities. The purpose is to regulate and manage specific activities to minimize their impact on the sensitive ecosystem. Some sustainable activities like agriculture, local communities' traditional practices, and eco-tourism may be permitted with regulations.

There are concerns about the use of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) for two main reasons:

Statement 1 is correct: They are highly resistant to degradation. BFRs break down very slowly in the environment, meaning they can persist for a long time. This can lead to them accumulating in the environment over time.

Statement 2 is correct: BFRs can accumulate in the bodies of humans and animals (Bioaccumulation). This happens because they are fat-soluble, meaning they are stored in fatty tissues.

Statement 1 is correct: Neem oil is a well-known natural pesticide and has been shown to be effective in controlling some insect and mite populations.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While there might be some research into using neem seeds for biofuels, it's not a widespread application in 2014 when the question was asked by the UPSC. Hospital detergents typically use stronger and more regulated chemicals.

Statement 3 is correct: Neem oil does have applications in the pharmaceutical industry. It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and some of its properties are being explored in modern medicine for their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other potential benefits.

Statement 1 is correct: This is a major threat. Dams fragment the river habitat, hinder migration patterns, and can disrupt prey availability for the dolphins.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While competition might exist, it's not a cause of decline. A healthy river ecosystem can support both dolphins and crocodiles.

Statement 3 is correct: This is a significant threat, as dolphins can get caught in fishing gear and drown.

Statement 4 is correct: Runoff from agricultural lands can pollute rivers with pesticides and fertilizers. These pollutants can harm the dolphins' health and prey species.

Thus 1,3, and 4 are the causes of the decline in the Ganga River Dolphins.

Biosphere reserves are the primary strategy for conserving biodiversity alongside traditional human life. Established under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program, they are designed to integrate conservation with sustainable development. This is achieved through a zonation system: the Core Zone is strictly protected for biodiversity; the Buffer Zone surrounds the core and allows for limited research and education; and the Transition Zone (or Area of Cooperation) is where traditional human settlements, cropping, and other economic activities are permitted and managed in harmony with conservation goals.

* Botanical gardens are for ex-situ conservation and do not involve human habitation. * National parks are strictly protected areas where human activities and settlements are generally prohibited. * Wildlife sanctuaries may allow certain limited rights like grazing or collection of minor forest produce, but they are not specifically designed to integrate and preserve 'traditional human life' as a core strategic objective in the way biosphere reserves are.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Earth Hour is an initiative organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Statement 2 is Correct: Earth Hour is a global movement encouraging individuals, businesses, and landmarks to switch off non-essential lights for one hour every year, typically on the last Saturday of March.

Statement 3 is Correct: This symbolic act aims to raise awareness about climate change, the need for sustainable practices, and the importance of energy conservation.

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a pan-India wildlife research organization, has been promoting the cause of nature conservation since 1883.

Statement 1 is incorrect. BNHS Vision: Premier independent scientific organization with a broad-based constituency, excelling in the conservation of threatened species and habitats.

Statement 2 is correct. BNHS Mission: Conservation of nature, primarily biological diversity through action based on research, education, and public awareness.

Statement 3 is correct. It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public.

In organisms called lichens, a chlorophyll-containing partner, which is an algae, and a fungus live together. Fungus provides shelter, water, and minerals to the algae. In return, the algae provides food which it prepares by photosynthesis.

Diatoms: These are microscopic, single-celled algae that are primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. They use photosynthesis to convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into organic matter (food).

Crustaceans: These are small aquatic animals like shrimp, crabs, and krill. They are primary consumers in the food chain and feed on diatoms and other phytoplankton (microscopic plants).

Herrings: These are small schooling fish that are secondary consumers in the food chain. They feed on crustaceans and other zooplankton (microscopic animals).

So, the energy flow starts with diatoms (producers) being eaten by crustaceans (consumers), which are then eaten by herrings (higher-level consumers).