Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Environment & Ecology (23 September 2023)

Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Subject : Environment & Ecology

1. Consider the following statements regarding Kakapo (owl parrot):

1. It is a large, nocturnal and flightless parrot.
2. It is found only in Arunachal Pradesh state of India.
3. It is listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN Red List.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation: It is a large, nocturnal, flightless, lek-breeding parrot. It has a pale owl-like face. It consists moss green mottled with yellow and black above and similar but more yellow below. These are remarkable and unusual birds, found only in Aotearoa New Zealand. They only breed every few years, triggered by the availability of certain forest foods such as the fruits of the native rimu tree. It is listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN Red List. A lek is an aggregation of males that gather to engage in competitive displays that may entice visiting females who are surveying prospective partners for copulation. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

2. With reference to ‘The International Solar Alliance (ISA)’, consider the following statements:

Statement 1 - It is a member-driven platform promoting solar energy deployment to enhance energy access, security, and transition in member countries.
Statement 2- ISA’s ‘Towards 1000’ strategy targets $1,000 billion in solar investments by 2050, providing clean energy to 1 billion people and installing 1,000 GW of solar capacity.

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

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but statement II is incorrect
(d) Statement -I is incorrect but Statement -II is correct

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a member-driven platform promoting solar energy deployment for energy access, security, and transition. It focused on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • ISA’s ‘Towards 1000’ strategy seeks $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030, providing clean energy to 1 billion people and installing 1,000 GW of solar capacity, reducing global solar emissions by 1 billion tonnes of CO2 annually. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

3. ‘Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary’ which was recently in news is located in:

(a) Chhattisgarh
(b) West Bengal
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Jharkhand

Answer: (A)

Explanation: It is situated in the Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh. It is named after the famous 11th- century Bhoramdeo Temple situated near the Sanctuary. It shares a border with Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, making it an important tiger habitat in central India. Hence, option (a) is correct.

4. Consider the following statements, with reference to Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS):

1. It is located on the fringes of the Aravalli mountain range in Rajasthan.
2. It is home to indigenous tribes like Bhil, Garasia and the nomadic Raika pastoralists.
3. Due to the abundance tiger population it is a part of tiger corridor.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Recently the ‘in-principal’ approval has been given to declare the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in Rajasthan as a Tiger Reserve. The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the fringes of the Aravalli mountain range in Rajasthan. It is known for Indian wolves, four-horned antelope and leopards.
  • It is also home to indigenous tribes like Bhil, Garasia and the nomadic Raika pastoralists. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.
  • There is no documented history of the tiger population in the Kumbhalgarh forest and KWS has never been part of any tiger corridor. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

5. Consider the following statements:

1. Chemosynthetic bacteria obtain their energy from the oxidation of inorganic molecules.
2. Chemosynthetic bacteria cannot survive without the presence of sunlight.

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: (A)

Explanation:

  • The energy required for the life within the biosphere usually comes from the sun. But Chemosynthetic bacteria are organisms that use inorganic molecules as a source of energy and convert them into organic substances. They do not need sunlight for their survival.
  • Chemosynthetic bacteria, unlike plants, obtain their energy from the oxidation of inorganic molecules, rather than photosynthesis. Chemosynthetic bacteria use inorganic molecules, such as ammonia, molecular hydrogen, sulfur, hydrogen sulfide and ferrous iron to produce the organic compounds needed for their subsistence. Most chemosynthetic bacteria live in environments where sunlight is unable to penetrate and which are considered inhospitable to most known organisms. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.