Environment

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1.The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted in which year?
  • A1990
  • B1992
  • C1995
  • D1998

Explanation

The CBD was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and entered into force in 1993.
2.Which land‑use change most directly reduces the capacity of the biosphere to act as a carbon sink?
  • AAfforestation
  • BConversion of cropland to fallow land
  • CDeforestation
  • DTerracing of hillsides

Explanation

Deforestation removes trees that store carbon in biomass and soils, thereby diminishing the terrestrial carbon sink.
3.

Consider the following statements regarding Ramsar sites in India:

  1. The inclusion of Sukhna wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh) brought India’s total count of Ramsar sites to 103.

  2. The Ramsar Convention, which governs Wetlands of International Importance, is an environmental treaty established in 1971.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A

    1 only

  • B

    2 only

  • C

    Both 1 and 2

  • D

    Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

  • Statement 1 is correct: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the addition of Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh, officially elevating India's Ramsar site tally to 103.

  • Statement 2 is correct: Ramsar sites are designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, which was established as an international environmental treaty in 1971.

  • Why other options are incorrect: Options (a), (b), and (d) fail to acknowledge that both statements are factual.

4.

Consider the following:

  1. Habitat fragmentation

  2. Invasive alien species

  3. Overexploitation

  4. Climate change

Which of the above are major drivers of biodiversity loss?

  • A

    1 and 2 only

  • B

    1,2,3 and 4

  • C

    1 and 3 only

  • D

    1 ,2 and4

Explanation

The main drivers of biodiversity loss are often summarized as:

"The Evil Quartet" (classic ecology)

  1. Habitat loss and fragmentation

  2. Overexploitation

  3. Invasive alien species

  4. Co-extinctions

Modern environmental reports additionally emphasize:
5. Climate change
6. Pollution

5.Which international convention specifically addresses the prevention of marine pollution by dumping of waste?
  • AConvention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
  • BLondon Convention (1972)
  • CUN Water Convention
  • DKyoto Protocol

Explanation

The London Convention (1972) and its 1996 Protocol regulate the dumping of wastes at sea to prevent marine pollution.
6.

Consider the following statements regarding environmental monitoring infrastructure in India:

  1. The world’s first advanced atmospheric chemistry and aerosol toxicity analysis laboratory for Delhi NCR was inaugurated at IITM New Delhi.

  2. The facility is capable of distinguishing microplastics, metallic elements, and carcinogenic elements present in fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$).

  3. The facility operates as part of the "Mission Mausam" initiative announced by the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A

    1 and 2 only

  • B

    2 and 3 only

  • C

    1 and 3 only

  • D

    1, 2, and 3

Explanation

  • Statement 1 is correct: Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated this world-first facility at IITM New Delhi, specifically targeted at Delhi NCR due to severe public concern over air pollution.

  • Statement 2 is correct: The laboratory is equipped with advanced instruments to analyze the chemical composition of atmospheric gases and aerosols ($PM_{2.5}$, toxic metals) and can distinguish microplastics and carcinogenic elements to alert health authorities.

  • Statement 3 is correct: The state-of-the-art facility is established under "Mission Mausam," which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance forecasting and air quality analysis.

  • Conclusion: All statements are accurate. Thus, option (d) is correct.

7.Which of the following is the primary source of ambient PM2.5 in Indian urban areas?
  • ABiomass burning
  • BVehicular emissions
  • CIndustrial emissions
  • DDust resuspension

Explanation

Numerous monitoring studies across Indian metros have identified vehicular emissions, especially from diesel engines, as the dominant contributor to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in ambient air.
8.The 2010 amendment to the Basel Convention, known as the "Ban Amendment," prohibits the export of hazardous waste from developed to developing countries. Which statement about its legal status is correct?
  • AIt entered into force immediately after adoption in 2010.
  • BIt has been ratified by all Parties and is fully binding.
  • CIt is not yet in force because it has not attained the required number of ratifications.
  • DIt applies only to plastic waste, not to other hazardous materials.

Explanation

The Ban Amendment requires ratification by 30 Parties representing at least 55 % of the total waste generated. As of now, the requisite number of ratifications has not been met, so the amendment is not yet in force.
9.

Consider the following statements regarding the 9th India International Water Week 2026:

  1. The theme of the event was “Climate Resilient Water Management.”

  2. A key recommendation was the "Safe reuse of treated wastewater" and "Data-driven governance."

  3. The main event was hosted at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  • A

    1 and 2 only

  • B

    2 and 3 only

  • C

    1 and 3 only

  • D

    1, 2, and 3

Explanation

Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct. The IIWW 2026 was held from September 22–25 at Bharat Mandapam (Statement 3). Differentiating between administrative centers and event venues is critical for UPSC; while the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee National Institute of Water and Sanitation (SPM-NIWAS) in Kolkata collaborated on the WASH conference, the primary venue for Water Week was Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event recommendations emphasized "Safe reuse of treated wastewater" and "Data-driven governance" (Statement 2) as pillars for the central theme of "Climate Resilient Water Management" (Statement 1).

10.Which of the following statements correctly describes the governance structure of Indian Biosphere Reserves?
  • AThey are managed solely by the Central Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change without state involvement
  • BThey are jointly administered by the Ministry of Environment, state forest departments, local communities, and scientific institutions through a Management Committee
  • CThey are privately owned and managed by NGOs with no government oversight
  • DThey are governed by an international body appointed by UNESCO with no local participation

Explanation

Indian Biosphere Reserves operate under a participatory governance model that includes the central Ministry, state forest departments, local communities, NGOs, and research institutions forming a Management Committee.

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