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Q1Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
Consider the following pairs of recently designated/expanded conservation sites and their locations:
1. Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary — Maharashtra
2. Asia's first Dark Sky Reserve (Hanle) — Ladakh
3. Banni Grassland Reserve — Rajasthan
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B1 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary is in Maharashtra and Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is in Ladakh. Banni Grassland Reserve is in Gujarat (Kutch district), not Rajasthan.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Statement 2 is also correctly matched; Hanle is indeed in Ladakh.
- Option C
Statement 3 is incorrectly matched; Banni Grassland is in Gujarat, not Rajasthan.
- Option D
Statement 3 is wrong; Banni Grassland Reserve is in the Kutch district of Gujarat.
Q2Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
The 'Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)', sometimes in news, was launched by India at:
(a) UN General Assembly, 2019
(b) COP25, Madrid
(c) G20 Summit, Osaka 2019
(d) Paris Peace Forum, 2019
- AUN General Assembly, 2019Correct
- BCOP25, Madrid
- CG20 Summit, Osaka 2019
- DParis Peace Forum, 2019
Explanation
Correct. India launched CDRI at the UN Climate Action Summit during the 74th UN General Assembly in September 2019.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
COP25 in Madrid was in December 2019; CDRI was launched earlier at the UNGA in September 2019.
- Option C
The G20 Osaka Summit was in June 2019; CDRI was launched at the UNGA in September 2019.
- Option D
CDRI was not launched at the Paris Peace Forum.
Q3Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
The 'Namdapha Flying Squirrel' (Biswamoyopterus biswasi), sometimes in news, is notable because:
(a) It is the most common flying squirrel in India
(b) It is known from a single specimen and is considered one of the rarest mammals in the world
(c) It was recently reclassified from a squirrel to a bat
(d) It is found across all northeastern states of India
- AIt is the most common flying squirrel in India
- BIt is known from a single specimen and is considered one of the rarest mammals in the worldCorrect
- CIt was recently reclassified from a squirrel to a bat
- DIt is found across all northeastern states of India
Explanation
Correct. The Namdapha Flying Squirrel is known from only a single specimen collected in 1981 from Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh, making it one of the world's rarest and most enigmatic mammals.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
It is among the rarest, not the most common, flying squirrels.
- Option C
It remains classified as a giant flying squirrel in the family Sciuridae.
- Option D
It is known only from Namdapha in Arunachal Pradesh, not across all northeastern states.
Q4Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
With reference to the 'Global Plastics Treaty' negotiations under the UN, consider the following statements:
1. The UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) adopted a resolution in 2022 to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.
2. The treaty negotiations cover the entire life cycle of plastics, including production, design, and disposal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2Correct
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Correct. UNEA-5.2 (Nairobi, 2022) mandated negotiations for a legally binding treaty, and the scope covers the full life cycle of plastics from production to disposal.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 2 is also correct; the UNEA mandate explicitly covers the full life cycle of plastics.
- Option B
Statement 1 is also correct; UNEA-5.2 in March 2022 adopted the historic resolution to begin negotiations.
- Option D
Both statements accurately describe the ongoing Global Plastics Treaty process.
Q5Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
The 'Adaptation Gap Report', seen in news during climate summits, is published by:
(a) IPCC
(b) UNEP
(c) WMO
(d) Green Climate Fund
- AIPCC
- BUNEPCorrect
- CWMO
- DGreen Climate Fund
Explanation
Correct. UNEP publishes the annual Adaptation Gap Report, assessing the gap between the level of adaptation action and what is needed.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
IPCC publishes assessment reports on climate science, not the annual Adaptation Gap Report.
- Option C
WMO focuses on weather and climate monitoring reports, not the Adaptation Gap Report.
- Option D
The Green Climate Fund finances climate projects but does not author this report.
Q6Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
The 'Cheetah Reintroduction Project' in India, launched in 2022, brought cheetahs from:
1. Namibia
2. South Africa
3. Kenya
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 only
- B1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. The first batch of cheetahs came from Namibia in September 2022, and subsequent batches were translocated from South Africa to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Cheetahs were also translocated from South Africa in subsequent batches.
- Option C
The first batch came from Namibia, not Kenya.
- Option D
No cheetahs were brought from Kenya under this project.
Q7Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
Consider the following statements about the 'Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF)':
1. It is managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
2. It was established to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
3. Only developed countries can access funds from the GBFF.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B2 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. The GBFF is managed by the GEF and was created to mobilize finance for the Kunming-Montreal Framework. Developing countries and indigenous communities are the primary intended beneficiaries, making Statement 3 incorrect.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Statement 1 is also correct; the GEF Council approved the establishment and management of the GBFF.
- Option C
Statement 3 is incorrect; the fund is designed primarily for developing countries, not exclusively for developed ones.
- Option D
Statement 3 is wrong; developing countries are the primary recipients of GBFF support.
Q8Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
With reference to India's Wetland Conservation Programme, consider the following statements:
1. India has the largest number of Ramsar Sites in South Asia.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 are notified under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
3. Each state is required to establish a State Wetland Authority under the 2017 Rules.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. India leads South Asia in Ramsar designations, the 2017 Rules derive authority from the EPA 1986, and they require each state to set up a State Wetland Authority for regulation and management.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Statement 3 is also correct; the 2017 Rules mandate establishment of State Wetland Authorities.
- Option B
Statement 1 is also correct; India has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in South Asia.
- Option C
Statements 2 and 3 are also correct.
Q9Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
The 'World Wildlife Crime Report' is published by:
(a) INTERPOL
(b) CITES Secretariat
(c) United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
(d) TRAFFIC
- AINTERPOL
- BCITES Secretariat
- CUnited Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)Correct
- DTRAFFIC
Explanation
Correct. UNODC publishes the World Wildlife Crime Report, providing a global assessment of illegal trafficking patterns in wildlife products.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
INTERPOL assists in combating wildlife crime but does not publish the World Wildlife Crime Report.
- Option B
CITES regulates trade in endangered species but does not publish this report.
- Option D
TRAFFIC monitors wildlife trade and publishes its own analyses but is not the publisher of this specific UNODC report.
Q10Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
With reference to the 'Indian Ocean Biodiversity Expedition', sometimes in news, which of the following is correct?
(a) It is led by the Zoological Survey of India to document deep-sea biodiversity in India's Exclusive Economic Zone.
(b) It is a joint initiative of India and France to study coral bleaching in the Lakshadweep Sea.
(c) It is a UNDP-funded programme to map mangrove biodiversity along India's eastern coast.
(d) It is an IUCN initiative to establish marine protected areas in the Arabian Sea.
- AIt is led by the Zoological Survey of India to document deep-sea biodiversity in India's Exclusive Economic Zone.Correct
- BIt is a joint initiative of India and France to study coral bleaching in the Lakshadweep Sea.
- CIt is a UNDP-funded programme to map mangrove biodiversity along India's eastern coast.
- DIt is an IUCN initiative to establish marine protected areas in the Arabian Sea.
Explanation
Correct. The Indian Ocean Biodiversity Expedition, involving ZSI and partner agencies, aims to catalogue deep-sea species in India's EEZ, leading to several new species descriptions.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
This does not describe the Indian Ocean Biodiversity Expedition.
- Option C
The expedition focuses on deep-sea biodiversity, not mangrove mapping.
- Option D
It is not an IUCN initiative.
Q11Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
Consider the following statements about the 'One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)' initiative:
1. It was proposed by India to create a transnational electricity grid powered by solar energy.
2. It was merged with the UK-led Green Grids Initiative at COP26.
3. It is exclusively an India-Africa bilateral project.
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. India proposed OSOWOG for a global solar grid, and it merged with the UK's Green Grids Initiative at COP26 as GGI-OSOWOG. Statement 3 is wrong as it is a global initiative, not limited to India-Africa.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Statement 2 is also correct; the merger with the Green Grids Initiative was announced at COP26.
- Option C
Statement 3 is wrong; OSOWOG envisions a global interconnected grid, not just India-Africa.
- Option D
Statement 3 is incorrect.
Q12Environment·Environment in Current Affairs
The 'Green Credit Programme' launched by India in 2023 is designed to:
(a) Provide carbon credits exclusively for renewable energy projects
(b) Incentivize voluntary environmental actions by individuals, industries and local bodies through a market-based mechanism
(c) Replace the existing Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme
(d) Offer monetary subsidies to farmers practising organic farming
- AProvide carbon credits exclusively for renewable energy projects
- BIncentivize voluntary environmental actions by individuals, industries and local bodies through a market-based mechanismCorrect
- CReplace the existing Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme
- DOffer monetary subsidies to farmers practising organic farming
Explanation
Correct. The Green Credit Programme, notified under the Environment Protection Act, creates a market-based mechanism where green credits are generated for voluntary environmental actions like tree planting, water conservation, and waste management.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The Green Credit Programme covers multiple environmental activities, not just renewable energy.
- Option C
The Green Credit Programme is a separate initiative and does not replace the PAT scheme.
- Option D
It uses tradeable credits, not direct monetary subsidies.