Q. The term ‘M-STRIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

(a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna

(b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves

(c) Indigenous Satellite Navigation System

(d) Security of National Highways

Answer: (b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves

Notes:
  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), has upgraded monitoring mechanism for the Tigers in tiger reserves (TRs) of the country by introducing Monitoring System for Tiger-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status, known as M-STrIPES.
  • The android-based monitoring software, M-STrIPES, will be used across all the TRs of the country.
  • The system’s objective is to strengthen patrolling and surveillance of the endangered Bengal Tiger. Forest guards in tiger reserves are equipped with personal digital assistants and GPS devices to capture data relating to tiger sightings, deaths, wildlife crime and ecological observations while patrolling.

Q. In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?

(a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.

(b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is impossible to prevent its extinction.

(c) It is endemic to a particular region of India.

(d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.

Answer: (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.

Notes:
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
  • This Act provides for the protection of a listed species of animals, birds and plants, and also for the establishment of a network of ecologically-important protected areas within the country.
  • The Act provides for the formation of wildlife advisory boards, wildlife wardens, specifies their powers and duties, etc.
  • With the help of this act, India became a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
  • The Act created six schedules which gave varying degrees of protection to classes of flora and fauna.
  • Schedule I and Schedule II (Part II) get absolute protection and offences under these schedules attract the utmost penalties.

Schedule I

  • This Schedule covers endangered species.
  • These species need rigorous protection and thus very harsh penalties for violation of the law are for species under this Schedule.
  • Species under this Schedule are prohibited to be hunted throughout India, except under threat to human life.
  • Absolute protection is accorded to species in this list.
  • Trade of these animals is prohibited.
  • Examples: tiger, blackbuck, Himalayan Brown Bear, Brow-Antlered Deer, Blue whale, Common Dolphin, Cheetah, Clouded Leopard, hornbills, Indian Gazelle, etc. Hence option 1 is correct.

Schedule II

  • Animals under this list are also accorded high protection.
  • Their trade is prohibited.
  • They cannot be hunted except under threat to human life.
  • Examples: Kohinoor (insect), Assamese Macaque, Bengal Hanuman langur, Large Indian Civet, Indian Fox, Larger Kashmir Flying Squirrel, Kashmir Fox, etc.

Schedule III & IV

  • This list is for species that are not endangered.
  • This includes protected species but the penalty for any violation is less compared to the first two schedules.
  • Examples: hyena, Himalayan rat, porcupine, flying fox, Malabar tree toad, etc.

Schedule V

  • This schedule contains animals which can be hunted.
  • Examples: mice, rat, common crow, fruit bats, etc.

Schedule VI

  • This list contains plants that are forbidden from cultivation.
  • Examples: pitcher plant, blue vanda, red vanda etc.

Q. Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites?

(a) Corbett National Park

(b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary

(c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

(d) Sariska National Park

Answer: (b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary

Notes:
  • An environment ministry’s expert committee has approved Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh as a second home for Asiatic lion.
  • The last wild population of the Asiatic lion is found in the region of Gir Forest National Park, in the state of Gujarat.
  • The single population faces the threats of epidemics, natural disasters and other anthropogenic factors.
  • In 2013 the supreme court ruled in favour of translocation of the Asiatic lion to Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary in the interest of genetic stability of these species.
  • However, the Gujrat government will not share lions unless 33 studies as mandated by Internation wildlife watchdog IUCN is completed.
Jim Corbett National Park
  • Jim Corbett National Park is a national park in India located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. The first national park in India, it was established in 1936 during the British Raj and named Hailey National Park.
  • It has numerous ravines, ridges, minor streams and small plateaus with varying aspects and degrees of slope. The park encompasses the Patli Dun valley formed by the Ramganga river.
    • Ramganga, Sonanadi, Mandal, Palain and Kosi are the major rivers flowing through the Reserve.
  • It protects parts of the Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests and Himalayan subtropical pine forests ecoregions.
  • It has a humid subtropical and highland climate.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  • It is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (1st Biosphere Reserve in India) along with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the West, Bandipur National Park (Karnataka) in the North, Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley in the South.
  • Flora:
    • The Reserve has tall grasses, commonly referred to as ‘Elephant Grass‘.
    • Bamboo of the giant variety, valuable timber species like Teak, Rosewood, etc.
    • There are several species of endemic flora.
  • Fauna:
    • Flagship Species: Tiger and Asian Elephant.
    • Other species: Indian Gaur, Spotted Deer, Common Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat among others.
    • Birds:
      • Reserve has got a wide variety of more than 260 species of birds.
      • 8% of bird species found in India are recorded in Mudumalai.
      • This includes rare birds like Malabar grey hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar laughing thrush among others.
Sariska National Park
  • Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in Aravali hills and forms a part of the Alwar District of Rajasthan.
  • Sariska was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and was declared the tiger reserve later in 1978, making it a part of India’s Project Tiger.
  • The Reserve houses ruined temples, forts, pavilions and a palace.
    • Kankarwadi fort is located in the centre of the Reserve and it is said that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh at this fort in struggle for succession to the throne.
    • The Reserve also houses a famous temple of lord Hanuman at Pandupole related to Pandavas.
  • Flora and Fauna:
    • The Reserve is immensely rich in flora and fauna, and is famous for Royal Bengal Tiger.
    • The park has populations of leopards, Nilgai, Sambar, chital etc.
Sariska Tiger Reserve

Q. With reference to ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. It is an initiative of the European Union.
  2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets.
  3. It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Notes:
  • The Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) was established by the European Union (EU) in 2007 to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with developing countries, in particular least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS).
  • The GCCA also provides technical and financial support to partner countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets, and to implement projects that address climate change on the ground, promoting climate-resilient, low-emission development.
  • By fostering effective dialogue and cooperation on climate change, the Alliance helps to ensure that poor developing countries most vulnerable to climate change increase their capacities to adapt to the effects of climate change, in support of the achievement of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).
  • There is no mention of WRI and WBCSD at the official partner’s page of GCCA, even though a lot of other institutions are mentioned like FAO, UNDP etc.

Q. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for

(a) Measuring oxygen levels in blood

(b) Computing- oxygen levels in forest ecosystems

(c) Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems

(d) Assessing oxygen levels in high altitude regions

Answer: (c) Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems

Notes:

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD):

  • It is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms to break down organic material present in a given water sample at a certain temperature over a specific time period to break down organic material present in that water.
  • BOD is often used in wastewater-treatment plants and is used as an index of the degree of organic pollution in water.
differences between BOD and COD

Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of G20 group of countries.
  2. The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons.

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

Answer: (b) 2 only

Notes:

Climatic and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)

  • The governments of Bangladesh, Mexico, Sweden, Ghana, Canada and the United States, along with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in 2012, came together to initiate efforts to treat short-lived climate pollutants as a collective and urgent challenge.
  • Together, they formed the Climate & Clean Air Coalition to support fast action on climate, food security, public health, and energy efficiency.
  • After carbon dioxide, the short-lived climate pollutants like methane, tropospheric ozone, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons are the most important contributors to the man-made global greenhouse effect.
  • They are responsible for up to 45% of current global warming.  
  • If no action is taken to reduce emissions of these pollutants, they are expected to cause half of the warming by human activity.

Q. If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit?

(a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves

(b) Chambal River

(c) Pulicat Lake

(d) Deepor Beel

Answer: (b) Chambal River

Notes:

A sanctuary for gharials (freshwater crocodiles) spread over 1600 sq km created along the Chambal River.

  • More than 5,000 gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) were born in the latest hatching season (June-July) at the National Chambal Sanctuary on the tri-junction of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
  • Apart from gharials, 400 mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) also hatched out of eggs at the sanctuary and will soon be released into the river.
  • Scientist believe that Red-crowned turtle and birds like the Indian skimmer on this stretch of the Chambal are more threatened than gharials.

Bhitarkanika Mangroves

  • Bhitarkanika National Park is a large national park in northeast Kendrapara district of Odisha in eastern India. It is spread for 145 km2 and Bhitarkanika is the second-largest Mangrove ecosystem of India. 
  • It is the breeding place for the endangered saltwater crocodiles, which are the prime attractions of the sanctuary.

Pulicat Lake

  • Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, (after Chilika Lake).
  • Major part of the lagoon comes under Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. It is present in the Coromondal Region i.e. Andhra Pradesh–Tamil Nadu Border.
  • The barrier island of Sriharikota separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal and is home to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
  • The lake encompasses the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary.
  • Flamingo Festival is held every year to promote tourism in Pulicatlake and Nellapattu. It has been organised for the past 12 years
  • The primary inflows to the Pulicat Lake are Arani, Kalangi and Swarnamukhi.
  • About 96% of the Pulicat Lake is present in Andhra Pradesh while only 3% is present in Tamil Nadu.
  • The Buckingham Canal, a navigation channel, is part of the lagoon on its western side.

Deepor Beel

  • It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Assam and the State’s only Ramsar site besides being an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International.
  • It is located towards the southwest of Guwahati city, Assam and is the erstwhile water channel of River Brahmaputra.
  • The lake expands up to 30 sq. km in summer and reduces to about 10 sq. km in the winter. The wildlife sanctuary measures 4.1 sq. km within this wetland (beel).

Q. From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?

(a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

(b) Nallamala Forest

(c) Nagarhole National Park

(d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

Answer: (a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

Notes:
  • Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve:
    • It is located in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu and is part of Western ghats and Eastern ghats.
    • Sathyamangalam forest range is an important wildlife corridor in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
    • It is a genetic link between the four other protected areas which it adjoins, including the Billigiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, Sigur Plateau, Mudumalai National Park, and Bandipur National Park.
    • It is part of “Project Tiger” which is to conserve populations of tiger and reduce in trafficking and poaching of tigers.
    • Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in 1973.
  • Nallamala Forest:
    • It is located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
    • Nallamala forest is a part of Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger reserve which is located in the Eastern Ghats.
    • Amrabad Tiger reserve also located in the Nallamala Hills of Telangana.
    • This forest is famous for tigers, wild dogs, jungle cats.
  • Nagarhole National Park:
    • It is located in Kodagu district and Mysore district of Karnataka and is also called Rajiv Gandhi National park.
    • It is part of the Niligiri biosphere reserve and Bandipur National park and Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary.
    • It serves as a protected habitat for elephants and tigers.
  • Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve:
    • It is located in the Southern region of Andhra Pradesh in the Eastern Ghats.
    • Seshachalam Biosphere reserve is a habitat of famous red sanders and slender lories species.

Q. Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC):

  1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
  2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) 2 only

Notes:
  • Trade-Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC):
    • TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organization working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
    • It was established in 1976 with its headquarters in Cambridge, UK.
    • It is a joint initiative by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
    • The major aim of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild flora and fauna is not a threat to the conservation of Nature.
  • United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP):
    • UNEP is established on 5th June 1972 with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya as per the result of the Stockholm conference on the environment.
    • The mission of UNEP is to care environment by encouraging nations to take up conservation initiatives and encouraging partnerships of countries to conserve the environment.
    • UNEP works on six important areas for conservation of nature namely as follows,
      • Climate change,
      • Ecosystem management,
      • Disaster management,
      • Environmental governance,
      • Sustainable production and Consumption and 
      • Hazardous / Harmful substances.

Q. In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/ advantages of bioremediation technique?

  1. It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature.
  2. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms.
  3. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Notes:
Bioremediation technique
  • Bioremediation is a treatment that uses naturally occurring organisms to break down hazardous substances into less toxic or non-toxic substances. It uses microorganisms to degrade organic contaminants in soil, groundwater, sludge, and solids.
    • The bioremediation technique is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature.
  • Not all contaminants are easily treated by bioremediation using microorganisms. For example, heavy metals such as cadmium and lead are not readily absorbed or captured by microorganisms.
    • Bioremediation is limited to biodegradable compounds. So statement 2 is incorrect.
    • Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms mainly bacteria and fungi to degrade the environmental contaminants into less toxic forms.
  • Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation.

Q. It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry?

  1. Production of algae based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.
  2. Setting up and engineering the algae based biofuel production requires high level of expertise/technology until the construction is completed.
  3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Notes:
  • Production of algae-based biofuels is possible on land or saline water or wastewater.
    • Production of algal biofuel is possible both in seas and on continents. They can grow on marginal or non-cropland and also on brackish or polluted water. Land-based systems are more developed than sea-based systems.
  • Setting up and engineering the algae-based biofuels production requires a high level of expertise/technology until the construction is completed because producing biofuels from algae is still in a pre-commercial stage of technology development and capital investments, is a significant barrier.
  • Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns as it will reduce the amount of food available for humans and due to supply shortage it will increase the cost of food as well as the cost of fuel.

Q. Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences?

  1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected.
  2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants.
  3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Notes:
  • Butterflies (also bees) play an important role in the pollination of plants and the production of crops.
  • Butterflies transport pollen grains from one place to another.
  • So if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, pollination of some plants could be adversely affected. 
  • As there are no reasons (not proven) for a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants.
  • It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders, and birds because these species are the predators of butterflies, so if the population decreases then these predators lose their major food source.

Q. In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be the potential sites for carbon sequestration?

  1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams
  2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs
  3. Subterranean deep saline formations

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Notes:

Carbon sequestration

  • The process of storing (or capturing) atmospheric carbon dioxide is called Carbon sequestration.
  • It is used for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
  • Its uses/methods:
    • Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams can be used to store CO2  as the CO2 molecules attach to the surface of coal.
    • CO2 is also used as the recovery tool as by injecting CO2 into declining oil fields to increase oil recovery.
    • Forests as sink as trees are natural sequesters of carbon.
    • Wetland restoration as wetlands conserves 14.5 % of the soil carbon found in the world.
    • Also used for Subterranean deep saline formations.

Q. According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law?

  1. Gharial
  2. Indian wild ass
  3. Wild buffalo

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Notes:
  • All of the animals given are protected scheduled animals under the Wildlife Act 1972.
  • The gharial is ‘Critically Endangered’ and Water buffalo is ‘Endangered’. Hence, they fall under Schedule I. 
  • Indian wild ass is Endangered and it is listed under Schedule I.
  • There are six schedules provided in the Wildlife Protection Act based on the degree of protection.
    • Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 provide absolute protection and offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties. 
    • Schedule 1 covers endangered species.
    • Schedule 3 and 4: This includes protected species but the penalty for any violation is less compared to the first two schedules. This list is for species that are not endangered. 
    • Schedule 5: This schedule contains animals that can be hunted.
    • Schedule 6 contains the plants, which are prohibited from cultivation and planting.