Answer: (B)

Explanation:

• Ahead of the COP 28, set to held in Dubai in November-December 2023, the Union government has notified two initiatives namely Eco Mark Scheme and Green Credit Programme. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has introduced 2 pioneering initiatives to promote country's pro-active approach to climate change. These initiatives seek to encourage environmentally friendly practices rooted in tradition and conservation; reflecting the ideas of LiFE concept. Green Credit Program (GCP) is an innovative market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions.
• The environmental actions include across diverse sectors such as various stakeholders like individuals, communities, private sector industries and companies. GCP will focus on water conservation and afforestation. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) serves as the GCP Administrator, responsible for program implementation, management, monitoring, and operation. Ecomark Scheme promotes Eco-Friendly Products. It provides accreditation and labelling for household and consumer products that meet specific environmental criteria while maintaining quality standards as per Indian norms. The Central Pollution Control Board administers the Eco mark Scheme in partnership with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Bird hunting and land acquisition threaten Kawar Lake and it is on the verge of drying up. It is also known as Gokhur Lake. It is a natural freshwater wetland. It is the only Ramsar site that is located in Bihar. To be designated as a Ramsar site, wetlands must meet certain criteria, the most important of which is that they should be rare and natural. The second most important is that they should support the life cycle of endangered species in adverse conditions. This lake draws water from the confluence of the Gandak, the Bia and the Kareh river. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Recently the Manipur's Imphal witnessed the outbreak of the African swine fever. African swine fever is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic and feral swine of all ages. ASF is not a threat to human health and cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans. It is found in countries around the world. ASF is a different disease to swine flu. The clinical signs of ASF may occur in chronic, sub-acute or acute form. The incubation period for ASF is variable but is usually between 5 and 15 days. Traditionally this serious disease has occurred mainly in Africa with the only endemic area in the European Union (EU) being the Italian island of Sardinia. However, since 2017 the disease has also been reported in Central and Eastern Europe. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Recently, World health summit, 2023 takes place in Berlin, Germany and online from 15–17 October under the theme "A Defining Year for Global Health Action". During the summit India highlighted the efforts at reducing non-communicable diseases, “India has launched the 75/25 initiative, aimed at screening and providing standard of care for 75 million individuals with hypertension and diabetes by 2025. It marks the most extensive expansion of NCDs in primary healthcare globally”. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Aerosols are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere. Natural Aerosols are formed by natural processes such as dust storms, sea spray, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires. Anthropogenic Aerosols are generated from human activities, including industrial processes, vehicle emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels. Aerosols can vary widely in size, ranging from a few nanometers to several tens of micrometers. They can consist of sulfates, nitrates, organic compounds, black carbon, mineral dust, and sea salt, among other components. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.