Civil Services Examination - Environment and disaster management: conservation biodiversity climate change and disaster response Question Bank with Options

1. Which of the following is a significant threat to India's coastal ecosystems?

A) Afforestation drives

B) Sea-level rise and coastal erosion

C) Increased freshwater availability

D) Reduction in fishing activities

2. The 'Basel Convention' is an international treaty that governs the:

A) Protection of migratory species

B) Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal

C) Regulation of international trade in endangered species

D) Conservation of wetlands

3. What is the primary aim of 'Climate Adaptation' strategies?

A) To reduce greenhouse gas emissions

B) To prevent climate change from occurring

C) To adjust to actual or expected future climate conditions

D) To develop new energy sources

4. Which Indian legislation provides legal protection to wildlife and their habitats?

A) The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

B) The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

C) The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

D) The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

5. The concept of 'carrying capacity' in ecology refers to:

A) The maximum number of individuals an environment can support indefinitely

B) The rate at which a species reproduces

C) The total biomass of an ecosystem

D) The average lifespan of an organism

6. Which Indian initiative focuses on improving the sex ratio and the health of girl children?

A) Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

B) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

C) Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana

D) Ayushman Bharat

7. The 'International Panel on Climate Change' (IPCC) publishes assessment reports that synthesize the current state of knowledge on climate change. These reports are primarily used for:

A) Setting international emission targets

B) Guiding policy-making and negotiations

C) Developing new climate technologies

D) Providing climate forecasts for the next decade

8. Which of the following is a major source of air pollution in urban areas?

A) Agricultural practices

B) Vehicle emissions and industrial activities

C) Natural dust storms

D) Volcanic ash

9. The 'polluter pays principle' is a fundamental concept in environmental law, meaning:

A) Polluters should be compensated for environmental cleanup costs

B) Polluters should bear the costs of preventing or rectifying pollution

C) Governments should solely fund environmental protection measures

D) Industries are exempt from pollution control costs

10. Which UNESCO World Heritage site in India is famous for its mangrove forests and is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger?

A) Kaziranga National Park

B) Jim Corbett National Park

C) Sundarbans National Park

D) Periyar National Park

11. The 'Bilateral Air Services Agreement' (BASA) between India and another country primarily deals with:

A) Environmental regulations for air travel

B) Trade of aviation technology

C) Air cargo transportation

D) Exchange of meteorological data

12. Which of the following is a characteristic of a disaster?

A) Minimal impact on human life and property

B) Can be managed with routine procedures

C) Sudden occurrence causing significant loss and disruption

D) Predictable and preventable with existing technology

13. What is the primary goal of the 'Save the Rhino' initiative?

A) To promote rhino horn trade

B) To conserve rhino populations and prevent poaching

C) To study rhino migration patterns

D) To relocate rhinos to new habitats

14. The 'Rio Declaration on Environment and Development' (1992) established principles for sustainable development, including the principle of:

A) Absolute national sovereignty over resources

B) Common but differentiated responsibilities

C) Unrestricted industrial growth

D) Prioritizing economic development over environmental protection

15. Which of the following is a key indicator of climate change?

A) Decreasing sea levels

B) Stabilizing global temperatures

C) Melting glaciers and ice sheets

D) Reduction in extreme weather events

16. The 'National Disaster Response Force' (NDRF) in India is responsible for:

A) Policy formulation for disaster management

B) Specialized response to natural and man-made disasters

C) Training and capacity building in disaster management

D) Research and development in disaster mitigation

17. Which international treaty addresses the issue of ozone depletion?

A) The Kyoto Protocol

B) The Montreal Protocol

C) The Paris Agreement

D) The Cartagena Protocol

18. The term 'acid rain' refers to precipitation with a pH lower than:

A) 7.0

B) 6.0

C) 5.6

D) 4.5

19. Which of the following Indian states has the largest forest cover as per the Forest Survey of India reports?

A) Arunachal Pradesh

B) Madhya Pradesh

C) Chhattisgarh

D) Maharashtra

20. The 'Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora' (CITES) aims to:

A) Protect endangered species within their natural habitats

B) Regulate and monitor international trade in endangered species

C) Provide financial assistance for conservation projects

D) Establish international protected areas

21. What is the primary goal of 'Carbon Sequestration'?

A) To increase atmospheric carbon dioxide levels

B) To capture and store atmospheric carbon dioxide

C) To promote the use of fossil fuels

D) To reduce the Earth's natural carbon cycle

22. The 'Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017' in India were framed under which Act?

A) The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

B) The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

C) The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

D) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

23. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a sustainable ecosystem?

A) High biodiversity

B) Closed nutrient cycles

C) Reliance on external energy inputs

D) Ability to regulate its own populations

24. The phenomenon where atmospheric CO2 traps heat, leading to a warming of the Earth's surface, is known as:

A) The greenhouse effect

B) The albedo effect

C) The Coriolis effect

D) The Doppler effect

25. Which Indian initiative focuses on the conservation of tigers and their habitats?

A) Project Elephant

B) Project Rhino

C) Project Tiger

D) Project Vulture

26. The 'Bonn Agreement' is related to the prevention of pollution of the sea by oil. It is administered by which international organization?

A) International Maritime Organization (IMO)

B) International Seabed Authority (ISA)

C) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

D) World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

27. Which of the following is a major source of methane emissions in India?

A) Industrial pollution

B) Rice cultivation and livestock

C) Vehicle exhaust

D) Power generation from coal

28. The 'Green Climate Fund' was established to assist developing countries in adapting to and mitigating climate change. It is an operating entity of which convention?

A) Kyoto Protocol

B) Montreal Protocol

C) Paris Agreement

D) UNFCCC

29. Which Indian legislation provides for the protection, conservation, and management of forests?

A) The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

B) The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

C) The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

D) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

30. What is the primary threat to the Giant Panda's survival?

A) Poaching

B) Habitat loss and fragmentation

C) Climate change

D) Disease

31. The 'Paris Agreement' aims to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. This is a commitment under which UN Framework Convention?

A) UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)

B) UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification)

C) CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity)

D) UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)

32. Which of the following is a non-governmental organization that plays a significant role in global environmental conservation?

A) World Health Organization (WHO)

B) International Monetary Fund (IMF)

C) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

D) World Trade Organization (WTO)

33. The concept of 'Ecological Footprint' measures:

A) The amount of land required to sequester carbon emissions

B) The total area of biologically productive land and water an individual, population, or activity requires

C) The biodiversity index of a region

D) The carrying capacity of an ecosystem

34. Which Indian state is most vulnerable to cyclones due to its long coastline?

A) Rajasthan

B) Uttar Pradesh

C) Odisha

D) Himachal Pradesh

35. The 'Convention on Biological Diversity' (CBD) has three main objectives. Which of these is NOT one of them?

A) Conservation of biological diversity

B) Sustainable use of the components of biological diversity

C) Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources

D) Regulation of international trade in endangered species

36. Which of the following is a key component of climate change mitigation?

A) Building sea walls to protect coastal areas

B) Developing drought-resistant crops

C) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

D) Improving early warning systems for floods

37. The 'Tragedy of the Commons' theory, relevant to environmental management, was popularized by:

A) Garrett Hardin

B) Elinor Ostrom

C) Herman Daly

D) Paul Ehrlich

38. Which disaster management plan is the apex body in India responsible for policy formulation, planning, and coordination?

A) National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

B) National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)

C) State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)

D) District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)

39. The 'Kyoto Protocol' primarily aimed to:

A) Set legally binding targets for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

B) Establish a global carbon tax

C) Promote renewable energy sources worldwide

D) Provide financial aid for climate adaptation in developing countries

40. Which of the following is an example of an ex-situ conservation method?

A) National Parks

B) Wildlife Sanctuaries

C) Botanical Gardens

D) Biosphere Reserves

41. The 'Silent Valley Movement' in India was primarily a protest against the proposed construction of a dam that would have impacted:

A) The Western Ghats rainforest

B) The Himalayas

C) The Thar Desert

D) The Sundarbans

42. Which type of natural disaster is characterized by rapid, violent shaking of the ground caused by movements within the Earth's crust?

A) Landslide

B) Volcanic eruption

C) Earthquake

D) Tsunami

43. What is the primary objective of the 'Nagoya Protocol'?

A) To ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources

B) To establish a global fund for biodiversity conservation

C) To regulate the trade of endangered species

D) To promote sustainable tourism in protected areas

44. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established by which two UN organizations?

A) UNEP and UNDP

B) WMO and UNEP

C) WHO and FAO

D) UNESCO and IUCN

45. Which of the following is NOT a direct consequence of deforestation?

A) Increased soil erosion

B) Loss of habitat for wildlife

C) Desertification

D) Reduction in atmospheric oxygen levels

46. The 'Ninth Schedule' of the Indian Constitution was added to protect:

A) Forests and wildlife

B) Land reforms and prevent judicial review

C) Tribal lands from exploitation

D) Water resources from pollution

47. Which gas is considered the most significant anthropogenic greenhouse gas contributing to climate change?

A) Methane (CH4)

B) Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

C) Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

D) Ozone (O3)

48. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for:

A) The conservation and sustainable use of wetlands

B) The protection of endangered species

C) Combating desertification

D) Regulating transboundary movement of hazardous waste

49. Which of the following is a primary cause of coral bleaching?

A) Ocean acidification

B) Increased salinity

C) Rising sea temperatures

D) Pollution from agricultural runoff

50. The concept of 'biodiversity hotspots' was first proposed by which scientist?

A) E.O. Wilson

B) Norman Myers

C) Robert May

D) Charles Darwin

Environment and disaster management: conservation biodiversity climate change and disaster response - Question Bank