Environment MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Environment - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is option 3.

In News

• An IISc study found that laccaic acid in lac insects is produced with the aid of a symbiotic yeast-like organism.

Key Points

• The lac insect is ovoviviparous, not oviparous, and undergoes gradual (incomplete) metamorphosis, not complete metamorphosis. Hence, Statement I is incorrect.
• Laccaic acid production involves a symbiotic yeast-like organism living inside the insect. Hence, Statement II is correct.
• Only the genus Laccifer produces commercial-grade lac. Hence, Statement III is correct.
• Jharkhand is the largest lac-producing state in India. Hence, Statement IV is correct.

Additional Information

• Life Cycle: Egg → Nymph Instars → Pupa → Adult (in about six months).
• Common Host Plants: Palash, Kusum, Ber, Khair.
• Applications: Used in food dyes, textiles, handicrafts, lacquerware.
• Distribution: India and Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Myanmar, China.

The correct answer is option 4.

In News

• Conservationists have voiced opposition to increased tourism activity in the Kali Tiger Reserve, fearing it may disturb wildlife in this delicate ecosystem.

Key Points

• The reserve, previously called Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, is located in Karnataka. Hence, the name change and state match Kali Tiger Reserve.
• The Kali River runs through the reserve, providing water and lending the area its name. Hence, the river association fits the description.
• It is situated in the Western Ghats, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot.
• Notable species include tiger, black panther, elephants, and all four hornbill species. Hence, the unique fauna confirms the location.

Additional Information

• The reserve shares borders with Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and connects ecologically with sanctuaries in Maharashtra, making it a vital part of the Western Ghats conservation network.

The correct answer is option 2.

In News

• The state government’s plan to settle tribals in the buffer zone has raised concerns about wildlife conflicts.

Key Points

• Located in Kodagu, Karnataka, covering 181 sq. km. Hence, option 2 is correct.
• Named after the Brahmagiri peak (1607 m).
• Flora: Evergreen & semi-evergreen forests, bamboo.
• Fauna: Lion-tailed macaques, elephants, tigers, Malabar giant squirrels.
• Lakshmana Tirtha River originates here.

The correct answer is option 1. 

In News

• On World Wetlands Day 2025, the Parvati Arga Ramsar Site in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, was highlighted for its role in environmental conservation and biodiversity. The site hosted celebrations under the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.”

Key Points

• Parvati Arga Wetland:
  • Location: Uttar Pradesh, in the Terai region (Gangetic plains).
  • Features: Two oxbow lakes (Parvati and Arga), formed as standalone water bodies from the Saryu river system.
  • Ecological Role: Habitat for critically endangered vultures and migratory birds such as Eurasian coots, greylag geese, and northern pintails.
  • Cultural Significance: Nearby sites like the birthplaces of Maharishi Patanjali and Goswami Tulsidas boost tourism.
    • Hence, option 1 is correct.
• Loktak Lake:
  • Location: Manipur, famous for its floating phumdis and Keibul Lamjao National Park.
  • Sasthamkotta Lake:
    • Location: Kerala, the largest freshwater lake in the state.
• Wular Lake:
  • Location: Jammu and Kashmir, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia.

Additional Information

• Threats to Parvati Arga Wetland: Invasive species like the water hyacinth.
• Ecotourism Development: Nearby Tikri Forest is being promoted as an eco-tourism destination. 

The correct answer is UNESCO.In News

• UNESCO has approved the designation of 11 new biosphere reserves in 11 countries including 2 transboundary biosphere reserves.
• The new biosphere reserves are located in Colombia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Mongolia, Netherlands, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Spain, Belgium & Gambia.

Key Points

• UNESCO is responsible for the designation of biosphere reserves worldwide.
• The World Network of Biosphere Reserves now totals 759 sites in 136 countries.
• The new biosphere reserves cover a total area of 37,400 km².
• These designations play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and improving living conditions for local and Indigenous populations.

Important Points

• These reserves are essential for sustainable development and climate disruption management.
• The designation process is overseen by UNESCO’s International Co-ordinating Council, composed of 34 representatives from UNESCO Member States.
• Each biosphere reserve supports local and Indigenous communities through sustainable practices.

Additional Information

• UNESCO: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, responsible for designating biosphere reserves.
• IUCN: The International Union for Conservation of Nature, focuses on global conservation and sustainable use of natural resources but does not designate biosphere reserves.
• WWF: The World Wide Fund for Nature, an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research, and restoration of the environment.
• FAO: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, leads international efforts to defeat hunger but does not manage biosphere reserves.

The correct answer is 6.

• 6 more 'Ramsar Sites' were added to Uttar Pradesh in January 2020.

Confusion Points 

• After the inclusion of 'Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary' as Ramsar site, now the total number of Ramsar sites in Uttar Pradesh has gone up to 10. (as of February 2022)
• The sites include Nawabganj in Unnao, Parvati Aranga in Gonda, Saman in Mainpuri, Samaspur in Rae Bareli, Sandi in Hardoi and Sarsai Nawar in Etawah.
• The Haiderpur Wetland has been recognised under the 1971 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
• The upper Ganga river, the stretch from Brigghat to Narora was the state's first Ramsar site which was declared in 2005.

Additional Information

• Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty for “the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands”.
• It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands and is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran. 
• The treaty was established in 1971 by UNESCO and came to force in 1975.
• There are 46 Ramsar Sites in India. (As of November 2020).
• Sundarban wetlands are the largest Ramsar site in India.
• Renuka wetland of Himachal Pradesh is the smallest Ramsar site in India.
• Chilka lake and Keoladeo Ghana National Park is the oldest Ramsar site in India which was declared in 1981.

In News

• As of July 2022:
  • Five new wetlands of International importance have been designated in India.
  • With this, the total number of Ramsar sites in the country has increased from 49 to 54 Ramsar sites.
  • Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav said, “Delighted to inform that 5 more Indian wetlands have got Ramsar recognition as wetlands of international importance.”
  • The five newly designated wetlands are:
    • Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
    • Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu
    • Pichavaram Mangrove, Tamil Nadu
    • Pala wetland, Mizoram
    • Sakhya Sagar, Madhya Pradesh.
  • India now has 75 Ramsar sites after the addition of 11 new sites in August 2022.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key PointsPolar Code:

• The Polar Code came into force on 1 January 2017.
• The International Maritime Organization has adopted a mandatory Polar Code to provide for safe ship operation and environmental protection in the polar regions. Hence, Option 1 is correct.
• If you operate a SOLAS or MARPOL ship in Arctic or Antarctic waters, then your ship will need to comply with all or part of this Code.
• The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (the Polar Code) is a new code adopted by the IMO.
• The Code acknowledges that polar waters may impose additional demands on ships beyond those normally encountered.
• It provides a mandatory framework for ships operating in polar waters.
• The main requirements are related to safety, protection of the environment, and seafarer competence, and it is implemented through amendments to International Maritime Conventions such as SOLAS, MARPOL, and the STCW.
• IMO's International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) is mandatory under both the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
• The Polar Code covers the full range of environmental protection matters relevant to the design, construction, equipment, operation, training, search and rescue, and ships operating in the inaccessible waters around the two poles.
• The Polar Code applies to certain ships that will operate on domestic or international voyages in Arctic or Antarctic waters.

The correct answer is Food and Agriculture Organization.

• The Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) is released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• The FRA 2020 is based on the assessment of more than 60 forest-related variables in 236 countries and territories in the period of 1990–2020.

Key Points

• Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) provides essential information for understanding the extent of forest resources, their condition, management and uses.
• The latest of these assessments, FRA 2020, examines the status of, and trends in, more than 60 forest-related variables in 236 countries and territories in the period 1990–2020.
  • The world has a total forest area of 4.06 billion hectares, which is 31 percent of the total land area.
  • Although forests are not distributed equally among the world’s peoples or geographically.
  • The tropical domain has the largest proportion of the world’s forests (45 percent), followed by the boreal, temperate and subtropical domains.
  • Around 54 percent of the world’s forests are in only five countries: the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, and China. 

The correct answer is Space Research.

Important Points

• In September 2015, the General Assembly of the United Nation adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Building on the principle of “leaving no one behind”, the new Agenda emphasizes a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all
• The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to transform our world:
  • GOAL 1: No Poverty
  • GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
  • GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • GOAL 4: Quality Education
  • GOAL 5: Gender Equality
  • GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  • GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality
  • GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • GOAL 13: Climate Action
  • GOAL 14: Life Below Water
  • GOAL 15: Life on Land
  • GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
  • GOAL 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal

The correct answer is Jorhat.

Key Points

• India's first pure green hydrogen plant was commissioned in Jorhat.
  • The green hydrogen plant was commissioned in 3 months at the Jorhat Pump Station.
  • ​It is an initiative of Oil India Limited (OIL).
  • It has a capacity of 10 kg per day.

Additional Information

•  Types of hydrogen fuel are:
  • Green Hydrogen - It is produced by electrolysis of H₂O using renewable energy sources like Solar, Wind, etc.
  • Brown Hydrogen - It is produced using coal.
  • Grey Hydrogen - It is produced using natural gas when the emission is released. 
  • Blue Hydrogen - It is produced using natural gas when the emission is captured.

The correct answer is 1972.

Key Points

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 provides for the protection of Wild Animals, Birds, and Plants and issues concerned with them.
• It consists of total VI schedules
  • Schedule I and II – Provides absolute protection and offenses under these prescribed the highest penalties.
  • Schedule III and IV - Also protected but the penalties are much lower.
  • Schedule V - Includes animals that may be hunted.
  • Schedule VI - Provides for prohibition from cultivation and planting of specified plants.

Additional Information

The correct answer is 2019.

Key Points

• National Clean Air Programme was launched by the Central Government in the year 2019.
• The programme was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• It was directed by The National Green Tribunal.
• It is a long-term, time-bound, national-level strategy which focuses to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner with targets to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in Particulate Matter concentrations by 2024
• The base year for the comparison of concentration is 2017.

Additional Information

• The National Air Quality Index (AQI) in India was launched in September 2014 in New Delhi under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
• Air Quality Index is calculated using eight pollutants namely particulate matter (PM) 10, PM2. 5, Ozone (O₃), Sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb) and ammonia (NH₃).
• As per Central Pollution Control Board air quality standards, AQI is categorised into six parts.
  • AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘good’,
  • Between  51-100 ‘satisfactory’,
  • Between 101-200 ‘moderate’,
  • Between 201-300 ‘poor’,
  • Between  301-400 ‘very poor’
  • Between  401-500 ‘severe’.

The correct answer is ​the Foundation for Environmental Education.

Key Points

• Blue Flag is a world-renowned award for beaches, marinas and boats, implemented in over 45 countries.
• It is operated under the auspices of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international not-for-profit organization.
• ​Headquartered - Copenhagen, Denmark.
• The Blue Flag programme:
  • Sustainable management of beach spaces, responsible tourism and the conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems is at the heart of the Blue Flag programme.
  • Education:
    • Central to the ideals of the Blue Flag programme is the aim of connecting the public with their surroundings and encouraging them to learn more about their environment. 
  • Information:
    • Informing visitors about the site they are visiting is an essential part of the Blue Flag programme. This allows people to easily navigate the area and to learn a little more about the indigenous flora and fauna. 
  • Monitoring 
    • Stringent criteria and regular spot checks help to encourage compliance of Blue Flag sites, which are also subject to comprehensive control visits. 

Important Points

• Eight beaches in India have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag certification. 
• 10 beaches are: 

The correct answer is 137.

Key Points

• As of August 2019, 137 Himalayan peaks are open for trekking for domestic and foreign mountaineers. Hence
• The government of India has allowed access to 137 mountain peaks to foreigners desirous of obtaining a Mountaineering Visa for mountaineering and trekking.
• These Himalayan peaks are located in the States of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.
• In the recently concluded National Tourism Conference, New Delhi, in which Tourism Ministers from States/UTs participated, the Tourism Minister emphasized utilizing the adventure tourism potential in the Indian economy and the need for ensuring the safety of those travelers going for adventure tourism.
• The highest number of 51 peaks in Uttarakhand and 15 peaks of Jammu and Kashmir have also been included in the list.
• Now foreigners can directly apply to Indian Mountaineering Foundation for permits.
• The home ministry has clarified that for carrying satellite phones the expedition teams have to take prior permissions from the department of telecommunication and all information gathered during the journey has to be shared with local formations.
• The Indian Adventure Tourism Guidelines 2018 cover land, air, and water-based activities including mountaineering, trekking, paragliding, bungee jumping, river rafting, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and many other sports.

Additional Information

• The Himalayas:
  • It is the highest and the youngest fold mountain range of the world.
  • Their geological structure is young, weak, and flexible since the Himalayan uplift is an ongoing process, making them one of the highest earthquake-prone regions of the world.
  • The Himalayas are believed to have formed over 50 million years ago with the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian plate.
  • The Indian plate slid below the Eurasian plate, due to its density being higher, and in the process crumbling and buckling up the Eurasian plate into the various mountain ranges that are now a part of the Himalayas.
  • The Himalayas are a series of parallel mountain ranges extending along the North-West to the South-East direction (known as the Strike of the Himalayas).
  • These ranges are separated by longitudinal valleys.
  • They include,
    • Trans-Himalayas
    • The Greater Himalayas or Himadri
    • The Lesser Himalayas or Himachal
    • Shivalik or the Outer Himalayas
    • The Eastern Hills or Purvanchal

The correct answer is Karnataka.

• World's largest solar park launched in Karnataka
• In BENGALURU, the world's largest solar park set up at an investment of Rs 16,500 crore at Pavagada in Karnataka's Tumakuru district was launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
• The 2,000 MW park, named 'Shakti Sthala', spans 13,000 acres spread over five villages and is a benchmark in the unique people's participation in the power model put on the ground, according to officials.
• The park's development is anchored by the Karnataka Solar Power Development Corp. Ltd (KSPDCL), an entity formed in March 2015 as a joint venture between Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL) and Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI).