2016 (May) Name of the Paper : Environment Studies Name of the Course : Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course(AECC-1) Time : 3 hours Maximum Marks: 75 Instruction for Candidates: 4. Attempt any five questions. 2. All questions earn equal marks. 3. Answers may be written either in English or Hindi but the same medium should be used throughout the paper. Q1. (a) Differentiate between any five of the following: (5x3=15) (i Forests and grasslands. Conventional and non-conventional energy resource. Deforestation and desertification. (iv) Nuclear energy and geothermal energy. (v) Endangered and endemic species. (vi) Bio-amplification and Bio-diversity. (vii) Compost and Urea. (viii) Pollutants and toxicants Ans.(a) (i) Forests and grasslands Reference to Unit 2 @.7 (a) (ii) Conventional and non-conventional_energy resource Reference to Paper 2015 (November), Q.3 (c) (iii) Deforestation and desertification Reference to Unit 3 Q.4(b) (iv) Difference between nuclear energy and geothermal energy:Else 4) Itis released by splitting (fission) or merging together (fusion) of the nuclei of atoms. 4) Geothermal energy is harvested from the inside of the Earth. 2) It uses the steam created from radioactive material heating water to run the turbine. 2) The heat from the earth rises up in the form of hot wind to run a turbine to produce electricity. 3) It is the cleanest and most efficient form of energy produced. 3) It produces hot gases which can harm the environment. 4) It is cost effective. 4) Itis not cost effective or sustainable. (v) Difference between Endangered species and Endemic species: 4) Endangered species are those whose number has been reduced to acritical number. 4) Endemic species are found only in a particular region. 2) Global warming and habitat destruction are the reasons for disappearance of many endangered species. Examples: Bengal Tiger, Bengal Fox, Asian Flephant, etc. 2) Habitat loss due to human activities and pollution are the reasons for their decline. Examples: Nigiri Linger, Lion Tailed Macaque, Brown Palm Civet, etc.(vi) Difference between Bio-amplification and Bio-diversity: 4yit substance that occurs in a food chain suchas pesticides. the increase in concentration of a Bio-diversity 1) It io the measure of the variety of organisms presentin different eco- systems. 2) suggests that all the trophic levelsin an ecosystem are connected. Thatis, something that occurs on the lowest trophic level will amplify and affect higher orders from animals belonging to higher trophic levels. This state of equilibrium is escentialfor the survival and growth of organisms atall levels. 2) It is an essential component of nature anditensures the survival of human species by providing food, fuel, shelter, medicines and other resources tomankind. (vii) Difference between Compost and Urea: Compost 4) Its the organic kitchen or garden waste that can be added to soil to help plants grow . ie] 4) Urea is a source of food and rogen for bacteria as they feed 2) Making a compost out of waste helps in keeping waste out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. 2) Urea is added to compost as it is a source of nitrogen. It provides an alternate in case the green waste is not available. It can be added along with green waste also, 3) It enriches the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. 3) It adds additional decomposing bacteria in the compost pile.Pollutants ied 4) Pollutants are chemicals or 4) Toxicants are those pollutants matter that contaminate the which act as poison depending environment. These have the upon the degree of exposure. potential to cause harm to hu man. health of the environment. 2) Pollutants can be toxic or non- _| 2) Toxicants exist as particulate toxic. These can include solid matter or as vapors (gases). These waste, liquid water or gaseous include metals, particles and waste. Example, pesticide DDT. certain vapors from fuels. Example, Mercury is a toxic metal. Q2. Write short notes on any three: (3x5=15) (i) Smart cities (ii) Islands of India (iii) Any case study of an ecological movement. (iv) Importance of media for environmental issues. (v) Some of the traditional Indian practices hold the key for nature conservation (give at least five examples) (vi) In situ conservation Ans.(i) Smart Cities. Smart city is a city equipped with basic infrastructure to. give a decent quality of life, a clean and sustainable environment through application of some smart solutions. The goal of building a smart city is to improve quality of life by using technology to improve the efficiency of services and meeting residents’ needs. Sectors that need to be developed for a smart city include government services, transport and traffic management, energy, health care, water, innov: urban agriculture and waste management.Ina smart city information technology remains the principal infrastructure and the basis for providing essential services to the residents. The core infrastructure in a smart city would include: > Adequate water supply > Assured electric supply > Sanitation, including solid waste management > Efficient urban mobility and public transport > Affordable housing, especially for the poor > [T connectivity and digitalisation > Good governance especially e-Governance and citizen participation > Sustainable environment > Safety and security of citizens, particularly women, children and the elderly. > Health and education. (ii) Islands of India. There are more than thousand islands in India, however the two prominent groups of islands in India are- - Andaman and Nicobar islands > Lakshadweep Islands. (a) Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These are located in the Bay of Bengal. These islands are mainly the upper parts of the mountains rising from the floor of the Bay. This is why in the different parts of the islands, small hills can be seen distributed irregularly. Some parts also have valeanoes. Some islands are surrounded by coral reef. The forests in these islands have some good timber, e.g, teak and mahogany, spices like cloves, cinnamon and cardamom. (b) Lakshadweep Island. In the Arabian sea lie the Lakshadweep Islands. These Islands are formed by deposits of millions of corals and so they form coral Islands. These are closer to the mainland, so they are comparatively more developed The soil is very fertile in these islands. Here farming is productive causing higher density of population(iii) Case study of an ecological movement: Reference to 2015 (November) Paper, Q4.(a) (iv) Importance of mediafor environmental studies. Media plays an important role in moder societies. The various media, like newspapers, radio, TV and the internet not only help to explain the policies, rules and regulations and plans to the citizens but also make them aware about environmental problems and also create a pressure on the decision- makers to solve any issues related to environment. There are many precautionary tools to warn against environmental threats including endangering of species, environmental degradation, environmental pollution etc. that media can take up. Media not only plays an influential role in warning against these environmental threats but also suggests proper ways to avoid these. Media also has power to question the decision-makers regarding their wrong policies which may harm the environment. (v) Traditional Indian practices which hold the key for nature conservation: Environmental conservation is not a new concept in India. People from time immemorial have been inclined towards nature in the name of faith, belief, religion and culture, Traditional Indian Practices: > Sun, the greatest source of energy for human beings is worshipped. The pipal tree continuously releases oxygen and there is a tradition of taking rounds around Pipal tree. > Some animals are worshipped and that has helped in their preservation. > According to Jainism, nature is to be protected in all ways-no waste, no overuse, no abuse, no polluting. > Bishnois of Rajasthan are known for their role in saving Khejri trees to save the environment. > We should not forget the fact that we worship trees, animals, forests, rivers, and the Sun, and consider Earth itself as a Goddess which is a positive step towards conservation.(vi) In situ conservation. Reference to Unit 4, Q.4. Q3.(i) India as a nation is a Mega-biodiversity spot. Comment giving examples. 8 (ii) Mining is an essential environmental evil. Justify taking any case study. 7 Ans. (i) Reference to Unit 4Q.3 (ii) Reference to Unit 3, Q.5 Q4. Although India has a vast coastline, most social and political problems are due to water. Discuss giving examples. 15 ‘Ans 4. Although India has a vast coastline but still India faces a state level competition on sharing of available freshwater. With increasing unplanned urbanization the need for water has turned into greed now. The ground water resources have been abused, water is neither being recharged nor stored in ways that optimizes its use. Waste is being discharged to the water bodies emerging into crisis of water. Take example of Hyderabad, it has several aquifers and water bodies. These have been supplying drinking water to the city for well over a hundred years. But population explosion coupled with unplanned construction in all directions has resulted in reduction of water level in traditional aquifers, which existed in and around the city. India also has water-sharing issues with neighboring countries. Cl India are competing for resources along the Brahmaputra River, which flows through parts of Asia that have been prone to territorial disputes. South Asia is water scarce, Mass dam-building and diversion of course of river are source of major tension between India and China.Climate change, depleting aquifers, rapid population growth and urbanisation are placing pressure on scarce water resources within the country and also with our neighboring countries. China's dam building agenda has created apprehension within India about the tisk of flash floods and landslides affecting millions of people living in downstream areas. In June 2000, due to lack of hydrological data exchange between the two countries a dam burst in Tibet caused flash floods downstream in Arunachal Pradesh. These issues unnecessarily disturb the relations with other neighboring countries. Although, we are not at war with any country but there is always a war like argument going on caused by man-made reasons due to such unresolved issues like water. Fresh water issues occur due to the following reasons: > Inefficient use of water for agriculture. > Reduction in traditional water recharging areas. > Sewage and wastewater drainage into traditional water bodies. > Release of chemicals and effluents into rivers, streams and ponds. > Lack of on time de-silting operations in large water bodies that can enhance water storage capacity during monsoon. > Lack of efficient water management and unmanaged distribution of water between urban consumers and the agriculture sector and industry. Q5. (i) Most floods are anthropogenic (Man-made). Justify. 7 (ii) Loss of biodiversity is the greatest loss to the nation. Discuss giving examples. 8 Ans 5. (i) Floods are most common of the natural disasters. The word ‘Natural’ is losing its significance in case of floods as most of the floods now-a-days are caused by man-made reasons. Floods were known to be natural when they were a result of powerful. weather system. Certain human activities exacerbate the chances of flooding and make it even worse when it occurs.The human factors/anthropogenic factors that contribute to causing floods are: Land-use activities, such as Urbanization, increase run-off volume and Rate. Occupation of the flood plains obstructing flows of rivers and streams. Structural flood control measures such as embankments in the upstream. Decrease in conveyance of the river channels owing to build-up of river debris, restriction of waterways, dumping of mineral wastes and rubbish and ¥ Mining and other industries altering water regimes. (ji) Loss of biodiversity Reference to Unit 4, Q 5(a) Eas Q6.(i) Most environmental problems in our nation are due to lack of knowledge. What are the various measures to be taken to overcome this? 40 (ii) What do you understand by ecosystem services? Write explanatory notes on its importance. 5 Ans 6. (i) Reference to 2015 (November) Paper, Q.4(b) (ii) Reference to 2015 (November) Paper, Q.7(b) Q7. Write explanatory notes on any three: (3x5=15) (i) Solid waste management (i) Man-wildlite conflicts (iii) Groundwater recharge (iv) Ecological succession (v) Climate change and food security Ans’. (i) Solid waste management: Reference to Unit 5, Q.7 (ii) Man-wildlife conflict: Reference to Unit 4, @.5 (c)(iii) Groundwater Recharge. It is a process through which surface water seeps into the ground and increases the water table of the underground water. Rechargeis the primary method through which water enters an aquifer. Itcan occur both naturally and artificially. > Natural Recharge. Groundwater is recharged naturally by rain and snow- melt and toa smaller extent by surface water (rivers and lakes). » Artificial recharge. It is done to store water and conserve it for various purposes. Groundwater recharge is an important process for sustainable groundwater management, wherein the volume of water extracted from an aquifer should always be less than the volume of water that is recharged. Rechargecan help move excess salts that accumulate into the ground water system. (iv) Ecological succession. Reference to Unit 2, Q.6(b) (v) Climate change and food security. Climate change will affect all four dimensions of food security, viz. food availability, food accessibility, food utilization and food systems stability. It will have an impact on human health, livelihood assets, food production and distribution channels, as well as changing purchasing power and market flows. Its impacts will be both short- term, resulting from more frequent and more intense extreme weather events, and long-term, caused by changing temperatures and precipitation patterns. People who are already vulnerable and food insecure are likely to he the first affected. Agriculture-based livelihood systems that are already vulnerable to food insecurity face immediate risk of increased crop failure, new patterns of pests and diseases, lack of appropriate seeds and planting material and loss of livestock. People living on the coasts and floodplains and in mountains, drylands and the Arctic are most at risk. Asan indirect effect, low-income people all over the globe, but particularly in urban areas, will be at risk of food insecurity owing to loss of assets and lack of adequate insurance coverage. This may also lead to shifting vulnerabilities in both developing and developed countries.Food systems will also be affected through possible internal and international migration, resource-based conflicts and civil unrest triggered by climate change and its impacts. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries will not only be affected by climate change, but also contribute to it through, emitting greenhouse gases. They also hold part of the remedy, however, they can contribute to climate change mitigation through reducing greenhouse gas emissions by changing agricultural practices. Atthe same time, it is necessary to strengthen the resilience of rural people and to help them cope with this additional threat to food security. Particularly in the agriculture sector, climate change adaptation can go hand-in-hand with mitigation. Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures need to be integrated into the overall development approaches and agenda. Q8. Very briefly explain the importance of any five of the following: (i) Silent Valley (ii) One-homed Rhinoceros (iii) Asiatic Lions (iv) Mangrove forest (v) Bishnois (vi) Jhum cultivation (vii) Jim Corbett National Park (5x3=15) Ans 8. (i) Silent Valley: Reference to Unit 7, Q.5(b) (ii) One horned rhinoceros. It is a species of rhinoceros native to Indian subcontinent. It is listed as vulnerable species on the IUCN Redlist. The Indian rhinoceros has a thick brown skin with pinkish skin folds and a black horn which is present in both males and females. The number of rhinoceros has declined due to human and livestock encroachment. The Indian rhinoceros lives in wild and their habitatis indiscriminately reduced by mankind for its need and greed.Kaziranga National Park in Assam hosts two third of the world's great one- horned rhinoceros. At present the great India one-horned rhinoceros are found in southern Nepal, northern Bengal and the Brahmaputra valley. Once they were seen frequently in Royal Manas National Park but today they are restricted to habitats surrounded by human-dominated landscapes adjacent to cultivated areas, pastures and secondary forests. These rhinoceros have been hunted extensively for their horns. (iii) Asiatic lions. Asiatic lion also known as the Indian lion is a subspecies found in the Gir National Park of Gujarat. It is listed as endangered in IUCN red list. The number of Asiatic lions declined due to loss of their habitat. Because of deforestation their natural habitats have been destroyed . These were also hunted for pride. Government is taking initiatives to preserve their species, Now the number of these lions is increasing in Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. (iv) Mangrove forests. Mangroves are shrubs or small trees that grow in coastal saline or brackish water. Mangrove forests are present at the deltas of rivers where a lot of sediments are present. Mangrove roots collect sediments and slow the water's flow. Thus, they help in protecting and increasing the coastline and prevent erosion. Mangroves provide safe habitat and a nursery for a variety of fish, birds, crustaceans and shellfish. Mangrove forests and estuaries are the breeding and nursery grounds for a number of marine organisms including the commercially important shrimp, crab and fish species. Mangrove trees are also used for house building, furniture, transmission as well as telephone poles and certain household items. Mangroves are now looked after by scientists or saviors in the today's scenario of global warming. (v) Bishnois: Reference to Unit 7, Q.5(¢)(vi) Jhum cultivation, Jum (slash and burn cultivation) is an age-old system of agricultural among the indigenous groups in the humid trophies. Itis also known as slash and burn agriculture and is generally produced by tribals and refugees who do not stay long at a particular place. It is largely viewed as an exploitative system, wherein the land and natural resources are not managed optimally and is understood to bea major cause of deforestation and ecological instability. In this, farmers slash and burn a patch of land and start growing food crops. When soil fertility is declined they shift to another piece of land burning the jungle. Benefits of Jhum cultivation include: > It includes forest's natural cycle of regeneration given a proper long period of gap for recovery. > Itrequires no pesticides and insecticides. Itis very much organic. > Jhum cultivation is economically viable, sustainable and feasible. Although, Jhum is considered a sustainable way, once a forest is cut and burnt it releases many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, Itis also responsible for soil erosion and siltation in dams. (vii) Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest National Park in India and was established in 1936 as Hailer National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. It is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The core area of the Corbett tiger reserve forms the Corbett National Park while the buffer contains reserve forests. This forest is the most important reserve for tigers. Itnot only includes project tiger for saving tiger species but also Asiatic lion and one-horned rhinoceros. The place is a beautiful spot for tourism as well and provides many facilities including camping, jeep safaris, etc. This park is an initiative to save the threatened species. It is home to 488 different species of plants and a diverse variety of fauna.