How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (d) None

Explanation: Indri is native to Madagascar, Elk to North America and Eurasia, and Bonobo to Central Africa—not to the countries mentioned.

Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve'

1. the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest
2. hunting is not allowed in such area
3. people of such area are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce
4. people of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practices

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Ans: (c) Only three

Explanation: All statements are correct except the first; Community Reserves are managed by local communities, not directly by the Chief Wildlife Warden.

1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realisation of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.

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

Ans: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) play a key role in access and benefit sharing under the Nagoya Protocol and can levy collection fees.

(a) The International Union for Conservation of Nature

(b) The United Nations Environment Programme

(c) The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development

(d) The World Wide Fund for Nature

Ans: (a) The International Union for Conservation of Nature

Explanation: The Invasive Species Specialist Group is a global network under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

(a) Central Water Commission

(b) Central Ground Water Board

(c) Central Ground Water Authority

(d) National Water Development Agency

Ans: (c) Central Ground Water Authority

Explanation: CGWA was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and manage groundwater resources.

(a) Conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound.

(b) Non-inclusion of ecological/ environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country.

(c) Ignoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development.

(d) Making mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project/programme.

Ans: (a) Conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound.

Explanation: Greenwashing refers to misleading claims made by companies to appear environmentally friendly without substantial action.

Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World.

Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1

(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1

(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct

(d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct

Ans: (d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct

Explanation: Hyderabad was recognized as Tree City by FAO and Arbor Day Foundation, not by UNCDF; but Statement 2 is correct.

1. Copepods
2. Cyanobacteria
3. Diatoms
4. Foraminifera

Which of the above are primary producers in the food chains of oceans?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1 and 4 only

Ans: (b) 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Cyanobacteria and diatoms are photosynthetic organisms and primary producers in marine food chains.

1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible.
2. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible.
3. Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible.
4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

Ans: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation: Fertigation helps in nutrient availability, controlling alkalinity, and reducing nutrient leaching—but not in applying rock phosphate efficiently.

1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as ‘overexploited’ or ‘critical’ by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Ans: (b) 2 and 3 only

Explanation: CGWA is under the Environment (Protection) Act and India indeed has the world’s largest groundwater-irrigated area; the 36% figure is exaggerated.