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Q1Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
Which of the following organizations maintains the 'Global Wildfire Information System' (GWIS)?
(a) World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
(b) European Commission's Copernicus Programme in collaboration with NASA and others
(c) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
(d) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) exclusively
- AWorld Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- BEuropean Commission's Copernicus Programme in collaboration with NASA and othersCorrect
- CInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- DUnited Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) exclusively
Explanation
Correct. GWIS is a joint initiative of the European Commission's Copernicus Emergency Management Service, NASA, and other partners, providing global wildfire monitoring and analysis.
Q2Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
Which of the following best describes 'ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction' (Eco-DRR)?
(a) Using engineered structures like sea walls to protect ecosystems from disasters
(b) Sustainable management, conservation and restoration of ecosystems to reduce disaster risk
(c) Relocating vulnerable communities away from fragile ecosystems
(d) Establishing early-warning systems based on animal behaviour patterns
- AUsing engineered structures like sea walls to protect ecosystems from disasters
- BSustainable management, conservation and restoration of ecosystems to reduce disaster riskCorrect
- CRelocating vulnerable communities away from fragile ecosystems
- DEstablishing early-warning systems based on animal behaviour patterns
Explanation
Correct. Eco-DRR involves the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems to reduce disaster risk and increase resilience, as recognized by UNEP and the Sendai Framework.
Q3Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
Consider the following statements about the 'fire triangle' in the context of forest fires:
1. The three elements needed are fuel, oxygen and heat.
2. Removing any one of the three elements can extinguish a fire.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. The fire triangle requires fuel, oxygen, and heat (Statement 1), and removing any single element breaks the triangle and stops the fire (Statement 2).
Q4Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
Consider the following pairs:
Disaster : Primary environmental driver
1. Desertification : Prolonged drought and overgrazing
2. Avalanche : Heavy snowfall on unstable slopes
3. Heat wave : Urban heat island effect and atmospheric blocking
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. All three pairs correctly identify the primary environmental drivers: drought and overgrazing for desertification, snow loading on unstable terrain for avalanches, and atmospheric blocking with UHI for heat waves.
Q5Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
The concept of 'Build Back Better' in the context of disaster management means:
(a) Using the recovery phase to rebuild the same structures that existed before
(b) Integrating disaster risk reduction into reconstruction to improve resilience
(c) Building temporary shelters as a permanent solution
(d) Importing all building materials from other countries
- AUsing the recovery phase to rebuild the same structures that existed before
- BIntegrating disaster risk reduction into reconstruction to improve resilienceCorrect
- CBuilding temporary shelters as a permanent solution
- DImporting all building materials from other countries
Explanation
Correct. 'Build Back Better', a priority of the Sendai Framework, means using the recovery phase as an opportunity to reduce future disaster risk through improved construction standards, better land-use planning, and enhanced resilience.
Q6Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
Consider the following statements about coral reefs and their role in disaster mitigation:
1. Healthy coral reefs can reduce wave energy by up to 97 percent before waves reach the shore.
2. Coral bleaching reduces the structural integrity and disaster-buffering capacity of reefs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. Healthy reefs are highly effective wave barriers (Statement 1), and bleaching compromises their structural integrity and protective function (Statement 2).
Q7Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
Which of the following is NOT a consequence of deforestation in disaster-prone hilly areas?
(a) Increased frequency and intensity of landslides
(b) Enhanced soil stability through increased sun exposure
(c) Higher surface runoff leading to flash floods
(d) Loss of slope-anchoring root networks
- AIncreased frequency and intensity of landslides
- BEnhanced soil stability through increased sun exposureCorrect
- CHigher surface runoff leading to flash floods
- DLoss of slope-anchoring root networks
Explanation
Correct. Increased sun exposure does not enhance soil stability; it actually leads to desiccation and cracking, making soil more erodible. This is NOT a consequence of deforestation that benefits disaster resilience.
Q8Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
Consider the following statements about soil erosion and disaster linkage:
1. Sheet erosion removes the topsoil uniformly and reduces agricultural productivity.
2. Gully erosion can destabilize terrain and contribute to landslide hazard.
3. Erosion has no link to sedimentation problems in reservoirs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B1 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Sheet erosion depletes topsoil (Statement 1), and gully erosion creates unstable terrain (Statement 2). Statement 3 is wrong because eroded sediment fills reservoirs, reducing their storage capacity and flood-buffering function.
Q9Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
Consider the following statements about the role of forests in climate-related disaster mitigation:
1. Forests regulate local rainfall patterns through evapotranspiration.
2. Forest cover stabilizes soil and prevents erosion during heavy rainfall.
3. Forests have no role in mitigating the impact of droughts.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B1 only
- C3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Forests influence rainfall through evapotranspiration (Statement 1) and stabilize soil against erosion (Statement 2). Statement 3 is wrong because forests maintain soil moisture, recharge groundwater, and moderate local temperatures, all of which mitigate drought impacts.
Q10Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
The 'National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project' (NCRMP) in India primarily aims at:
(a) Predicting the exact landfall location of cyclones
(b) Strengthening structural and non-structural measures to mitigate cyclone risks in coastal areas
(c) Relocating all coastal populations to inland areas
(d) Banning construction within 500 metres of the coastline
- APredicting the exact landfall location of cyclones
- BStrengthening structural and non-structural measures to mitigate cyclone risks in coastal areasCorrect
- CRelocating all coastal populations to inland areas
- DBanning construction within 500 metres of the coastline
Explanation
Correct. NCRMP, implemented with World Bank assistance, focuses on cyclone shelters, early warning systems, coastal embankments, and community preparedness in vulnerable coastal states.
Q11Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
Which of the following statements about El Nino and its disaster linkage in India is/are correct?
1. El Nino events are associated with weakening of the Indian summer monsoon.
2. El Nino years in India have historically been linked to drought conditions.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. El Nino weakens the Indian monsoon by altering atmospheric circulation (Statement 1), and has historically been correlated with below-normal rainfall and drought in India (Statement 2).
Q12Environment·Disaster-Environment Interface
The 'Sendai Framework Monitor' is used for:
(a) Monitoring volcanic eruptions worldwide
(b) Tracking the progress of countries in implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
(c) Monitoring sea-level rise in the Pacific
(d) Assessing the financial aid received by developing countries for disaster relief
- AMonitoring volcanic eruptions worldwide
- BTracking the progress of countries in implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk ReductionCorrect
- CMonitoring sea-level rise in the Pacific
- DAssessing the financial aid received by developing countries for disaster relief
Explanation
Correct. The Sendai Framework Monitor is an online tool managed by UNDRR that allows countries to report and track progress against the seven global targets and 38 indicators of the Sendai Framework.