UPSC Geography Optional Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions

Environmental Geography (PYQs Solutions)

• What is the ‘UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’? How does it balance ecological goals with emerging socio-economic needs like food security and development?

• Man and wildlife conflicts are ever increasing. Discuss its causes, consequences and remedial measures.

• “The latitudinal gradient in species richness is an important geographic trend in biodiversity.” Examine the statement.

• How is carbon neutrality essential for future environmental conservation? Describe various efforts taken by nations in this regard.

• Perception, Attitude, Value and Emotion (PAVE) are important components for biodiversity and sustainable environmental conservation. Elaborate.

• Mountain regions are more fragile to ecological changes. Elucidate.

• What are the factors affecting regional ecological changes? How do these affect human health?

• What are the environmental implications of economic geology? Discuss.

• How is Deep Ecology’ as a concept different from ‘Shallow Ecology’ ? Explain

• Plants and animals that exist in a particular ecosystem are those that have been successful in adjusting to their habitat and environmental conditions. Elucidate with examples.

• What are the high altitude environmental hazards? Explain with suitable examples.

• With suitable examples, elaborate human ecological adaptations. Explain its impacts on ecology and the environment in various parts of the world.

• Explaining the concept of carbon neutrality, describe the measures taken by carbon positive and negative nations.

• Sequential changes in land use and land cover have brought global and regional ecological changes and imbalances.

• Discuss the human response to and management of hazards and disasters in India.

• “Human ecology is the study of the mutual relationship of people and their environment both natural and social.” Discuss in detail using ecological concepts.

• Describe How ecosystem services of Himalaya are essential for Highland-Lowland sustainability in Asia.

• Explain the effects and causes of deforestation and its impact on the pattern of agriculture in India.

• Discuss the problems associated with the living environment in million-plus cities in India. How can these be managed?

• The impact of floods on life and property can be most effectively reduced by hazard mapping. Comment.

• “The web of life is seamless and the consequences of disruption to one part of the ecosystem ripple throughout the whole.” Elaborate.

• Why is it necessary to conserve the genetic diversity of species? Do protected areas serve any useful purpose in this context?

• How do mountaineers constitute a threat to Mount Everest?

• Amensalism is a biotic factor that determines the geographic limits of species. Explain.

• Explain the ecosystem approach to environmental management and highlight its advantages and disadvantages.

• “Controlling population growth is the sustainable solution to environmental problems.” Express your views with suitable arguments.

• Discuss the objectives and principles of environmental education. Describe the basic concerns of formal and non-formal environmental education in India.

• Explain the natural and anthropogenic causes and mitigation measures of frequent flooding in Mumbai.

• Discuss the Perception, Attitude, Value and Emotion (PAVE) Theory of environmental management.

• Discuss the major characteristics of ‘CBD’.

• Write a critical note on the tendency of “use and throw” in the context of economic status and the environment.

• Give a reasoned account on how the impact of Global Warming differs from one part of the Earth to the other. 

• Explain the hydro-meteorological hazards in the Himalayas.

• Explain the different stages of ecological adaptation of man and bring out the changing balance between man and environment.

• Discuss the method of conserving biodiversity for sustainable development.

• Comment on the impact of environmental education on quality of life.

• Explain the characteristics of ecological succession.

• Enumerate the major causes of increasing degradation of environment in hills and hillslopes, and state its down-valley impact.

• Give an account of the nature of biosphere as an ecosystem.

• Ellen Churchill Semple is an ardent supporter of Determinism.” Explain.

• Explain the levels of Noise pollution and legislative measures to control it.

• “What are the characteristics that make CHC a serious threat to the ecosystem? Give examples.”

• Write short note: Uniqueness of fauna in the Notogean realm.