Geo test

Test is part of Rau’s IAS Test series f or Preliminary Exam 202 4
Test ID
GENERAL STUDIES (PAPER–I)
0256
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY,
BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Time Allowed: 2 Hour Maximum Marks: 200
INSTRUCTIONS
1. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU SHOULD CHECK

THAT THIS TEST BBOOKLET DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNPRINTED OR TORN or MISSING PAGES
OR ITEMS, ETC. IF SO, GET IT REPLACED BY A COMPLETE TEST BOOKLET.
2. This Test Booklet contains 100 items (questions). Each item is printed in English Only. Each item
comprises four responses (answers). You will select the response which you want to mark on the
Answer Sheet. In case you feel that there is more than one correct response, mark the response
which you consider the best. In any case, choose ONLY ONE response for each item.
3. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet (OMR sheet) provided.
Read the directions in the Answer Sheet.
4. All items carry equal marks.
5. Before you proceed to mark in the Answer Sheet the response to various items in the Test booklet,
you have to fill in some particulars in the Answer Sheet as per instructions contained therein.
6. After you have completed filling in all your responses on the Answer Sheet and the examination has
concluded, you should hand over to the Invigilator only the Answer Sheet. You are permitted to
take away with you the Test Booklet.
7. Penalty for wrong answers:

THERE WILL BE PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS MARKED BY A CANDIDATE IN THE
OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTION PAPERS.
(i) There are four alternatives for the answer to every question. For each question for which a
wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-third of the marks assigned to that
question will be deducted as penalty.
(ii) If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of
the given answers happens to be correct and there will be same penalty as above to that
question.
(iii) If a question is left blank, i.e., no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for
that question.
This test is part of Rau’s IAS Test series for Preliminary Exam 202 4
1. Which of the following is the correct 2. The ectotherms do not generate heat
descending order of ecological hierarchy? of their own at all and hence, they
(a) Landscape > Biomes > Ecosystem > change their environment to cope up
with the changes in external
Community > Population
temperatures.
(b) Landscape > Ecosystem > Biomes >
Select the correct answer using the code
given below:
(c) Biomes > Ecosystem > Landscape > (a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(d) Biomes > Landscape > Ecosystem > (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. Consider the following factors: 5. Which of the following statements is/are

1. Water correct regarding the Point Calimere
2. Light Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary?
3. Temperature 1. It is known for the protection and

conservation of the Black Antelopes,
4. Soil
an endangered and endemic species,
How many of the above factors affect that is found in this region.
variation in biodiversity? 2. It has rich presence of mangroves and
(a) Only one is also declared as a Ramsar Site.
(b) Only two Select the correct answer using the code
(c) Only three given below:
(d) All four (a) 1 only

(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
3. Which of the following statements is/are
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
correct?
1. The ‘regulators’ occupy a greater
6. Consider the following statements:
diversity of ecological niches, than the
1. Through photosynthesis, the
conformers.
photoautotrophs convert carbon
2. Conformers include fish, reptiles,
dioxide and water into glucose and
insects, amphibians and worms. oxygen.
Select the correct answer using the code 2. Chemoautotrophs obtain energy from
given below: chemical reactions involving inorganic
(a) 1 only compounds, rather than sunlight.
(b) 2 only 3. Heterotrophs cannot produce their
own food and obtain energy by
(c) Both 1 and 2
consuming other organisms.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
How many of the above statements are
correct?
4. Which of the following statements is/are (a) Only one
correct? (b) Only two
1. The endotherms decrease metabolism (c) All three
when there is cold outside to conserve (d) None
the heat.
RAUSIAS-0256 1
7. Consider the following statements about 2. They inhabit freshwaters, as well as
frogs of India: brackish waters.
1. Dancing frogs are endemic to the 3. They are native to Australia.
North-East India. How many of the above statements are
2. Purple frog spends most of its life correct?
underground. (a) Only one
3. Galaxy frog is native to Shola forests (b) Only two
of Western Ghats.
(c) All three
How many of the statements given above
(d) None
are correct?
(a) Only one
11. Consider the following statements
(b) Only two
regarding the Saptparni trees:
(c) All three
1. These are ecologically friendly trees,
(d) None
as they extract less amount of
groundwater.
8. “This freshwater marsh is the largest
2. These trees are found in the Sub-
natural floodplain wetland of eastern
Himalayan tracts, east of the Yamuna.
Uttar Pradesh. The Sanctuary was
3. These are evergreen trees most suited
established in 1980 and is protected
to deep soil.
under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of
1972; an “eco-sensitive zone” extends How many of the above statements are
upto a kilometre around its boundary. correct?
The Wetland is internationally important (a) Only one
for its birdlife, as it supports over 80 (b) Only two
species. It provides a wintering ground for (c) All three
over 25 species which migrate on the
(d) None
Central Asian Flyway, some of which are
threatened or near-threatened, such as
the endangered Egyptian Vulture. It is 12. The South Lhonak Lake is located in:
also a designated Ramsar Site.” (a) North-Western Sikkim
The above paragraph describes which of (b) North-Western Arunachal Pradesh
the following protected sites? (c) North-Eastern Ladakh
(a) The Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary (d) North-Eastern Uttarakhand
(b) The Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
(c) The Saman Bird Sanctuary 13. Which of the following statements is/are
(d) The Sandi Bird Sanctuary correct regarding the Green Credit
Programme?
9. The term ‘Cynophilia’, sometimes seen in 1. It is a market-based mechanism,
the news, refers to which of the following? designed to incentivize voluntary
(a) Love for dogs and other canines. environmental actions.
(b) Using cyanobacteria in agriculture. 2. It covers only the government sectors
(c) Excessive use of chemical fertilizers. and government-owned undertakings.
(d) Increase in cynical behaviour due to Select the correct answer using the code
changes in lifestyle. given below:
(a) 1 only
10. Consider the following statements (b) 2 only
regarding Platypus: (c) Both 1 and 2
1. These species are egg-laying aquatic (d) Neither 1 nor 2
mammals.
RAUSIAS-0256 2
https://upscmaterial.online/
14. Which of the following statements is/are 17. Consider the following statements about
correct regarding the community the ecological adaptations of the
reserves? mangroves:
1. They act as the migration corridors 1. Buttress roots are the lateral roots
between the established National that emerge from mud and water,
Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and serving as the oxygen source for the
Reserved and Protected Forests of submerged primary root system.
India.
2. Mangroves exclude salt by having
2. Such areas are designated as the significantly impermeable roots.
Conservation Areas, if they are
3. Pneumatophores are large, wide roots
uninhabited and completely owned by
on all sides of a shallowly rooted tree,
the Government.
that prevent the tree from falling.
Select the correct answer using the code
given below:
correct?
(a) 1 only
(a) Only one
(b) 2 only
(b) Only two
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) All three
(d) None
15. Which of the following statements is/are

correct regarding the Sudden 18. With respect to the “India State of Forest
Stratospheric Warming? Report 2021”, consider the following
1. It refers to the significant disruption of statements:
the Stratospheric Polar Vortex. 1. With the highest percentage of
2. It is caused by the atmospheric waves, mangroves, Gujarat tops the list,
that originate in the troposphere. closely followed by West Bengal.
Select the correct answer using the code 2. There has been a net decrease in the
given below: country's mangrove cover, compared
(a) 1 only to the 2019 assessment.
(b) 2 only Which of the statements given above
(c) Both 1 and 2 is/are correct?
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
16. Consider the following statements: (c) Both 1 and 2
1. Mesophotic corals can survive in low (d) Neither 1 nor 2
light environments.
2. Snowflake coral is a coral species 19. With respect to the “Indian Forest Act
considered as invasive.
(IFA), 1927”, consider the following
Which of the statements given above statements:
is/are correct?
1. It defines the forest offences as the
(a) 1 only acts prohibited inside a Reserved
(b) 2 only Forest.
(c) Both 1 and 2 2. It provides a legal framework for the
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 transit of the forest produce and
timber.
RAUSIAS-0256 3
https://t.me/visioniastestseries2024
Which of the statements given above 22. With respect to “Pangolins”, consider the
is/are correct? following statements:
(a) 1 only 1. They are the only known mammals
(b) 2 only with protective keratin scales covering
(c) Both 1 and 2 their skin.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 2. They are primarily diurnal.

3. They are the most trafficked mammal
in the world.
20. With respect to the “Compensatory
Afforestation Fund Management and How many of the above statements are
Planning Authority (CAMPA) Act”, 2016 correct?
consider the following statements: (a) Only one
1. It establishes the National (b) Only two
Compensatory Afforestation Fund (c) All three
under the Consolidated Fund of India. (d) None
2. The National Fund will receive 10% of
these funds and the State Funds will 23. With respect to the “invasive species”,
receive the remaining 90%. consider the following statements:
3. There shall be a National Authority, 1. These could be native or exotic
with the Prime Minister of India, as species, and they drastically alter the
the ex-officio chairperson. habitat in which they live.
How many of the above statements are 2. A person or an organization can be
correct? held accountable for unintended
(a) Only one impacts caused by invasive species,
(b) Only two once they escape human control.
(c) All three 3. Papaya Mealy Bug and Prosopis
(d) None Juliflora are the common invasive
species found in India.
21. Consider the following pairs: How many of the above statements are
correct?
S.N. State States
(a) Only one
butterflies
(b) Only two
1. Southern West Bengal
(c) All three
Birdwings
(d) None
2. Kaisar-i-Hind Arunachal
Pradesh
3. Common Uttarakhand
1. The Manas Tiger Reserve has the
Peacock
largest buffer area among all the Tiger
How many of the above pairs are correctly Reserves in India.
matched? 2. Kalakad Mundanthurai tiger reserve
(a) Only one pair forms part of the Agasthyamalai
(b) Only two pairs Biosphere Reserve.
(c) All three pairs 3. The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is
(d) None of the pairs located at the tri-junction of Kerala,
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
RAUSIAS-0256 4
How many of the above statements are 27. Consider the following pairs:
correct? S.N. Greenhouse Sources /
(a) Only one Gases Causes
(b) Only two 1. Hydrofluoro- Fire retardants.
(c) All three carbons (HFCs)
(d) None 2. Nitrous oxide Used as a
(N2O) tracer gas for
25. With respect to the “Scheduled Tribes and leak detection.
other Traditional Forest Dwellers 3. Perfluorocarbons Produced as a
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (PFCs) by-product in
(The FRA Act, 2006)”, consider the aluminium
following statements: production.
1. It gives the right to ownership of land How many of the above pairs are correctly
farmed by the tribals or the forest matched?
dwellers, subject to a maximum of 14
(a) Only one
hectares.
(b) Only two
2. The Governor of the concerned State
(c) All three
is the authority to initiate the process
(d) None
for determining the nature and extent
of the Individual Forest Rights (IFRs)
and the Community Forest Rights 28. Consider the following statements:
(CFRs). 1. Biophilic urbanism is designing the
3. The rights of the dwellers extend to cities with green roofs, green walls
extracting the minor forest produce, and green balconies to bring nature
grazing areas and pastoralist routes. into the densest parts of the cities.
2. Absolute decoupling is where
economic growth happens, but fossil
correct?
fuels decline.
(a) Only one
Which of the statements given above
(b) Only two
is/are correct?
(c) All three
(a) 1 only
(d) None
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
26. Which of the following is the correct (d) Neither 1 nor 2
sequence of gases in terms of their
highest impact on the Earth's greenhouse
29. With respect to the Paris Agreement,
effect?
consider the following statements:
(a) Methane (CH4); Ozone (O3); Carbon
1. It is not a legally binding international
dioxide (CO2); Water vapour (H2O)
treaty on climate change.
(b) Ozone (O3); Carbon dioxide (CO2);
2. According to the Agreement, the
Water vapour (H2O); Methane (CH4)
Parties shall communicate their
(c) Water vapour (H2O); Carbon dioxide “Nationally Determined Contributions”
(CO2); Methane (CH4); Ozone (O3) (NDCs) every 5 years.
(d) Carbon dioxide (CO2); Methane (CH4); 3. It discontinued the existing framework
Ozone (O3); Water vapour (H2O) for non-market approaches to
sustainable development.
RAUSIAS-0256 5
How many of the above statements are 32. With respect to the ‘Loss and Damage
correct? Fund’, consider the following statements:
(a) Only one 1. It came into existence during the
(b) Only two United Nations Climate Change
Conference COP22.
(c) All three
2. The Fund will be aimed at helping the
(d) None
developing countries that are
“particularly vulnerable” to the effects
30. With respect to India’s Paris Agreement of climate change.
targets, consider the following 3. The agreement to provide “loss and
statements: damage” funding clearly defines what
1. India aims to reduce the emissions should count as “loss and damage”
intensity of GDP by 60% by 2030 caused by climate change.
below the 2005 levels. How many of the above statements are
2. India clearly specifies the coverage correct?
and metrics of the emissions intensity (a) Only one
target in its “Nationally Determined (b) Only two
Contributions” (NDCs). (c) All three
3. India aims to increase the share of (d) None
non-fossil-based energy resources to
40% of the installed electric power
33. With respect to “global dimming”,
capacity by 2030.
1. It is the gradual reduction in the
correct? amount of global direct irradiance at
(a) Only one the surface of the Earth.
(b) Only two 2. It has an opposite effect to global
(c) All three warming.
(d) None 3. Particulate matter and wildfires are
the sources of global dimming.
31. With respect to the Glasgow Pact, How many of the above statements are
consider the following statements: correct?
1. The Glasgow Pact has enabled the (a) Only one

countries to use carbon credits to (b) Only two
satisfy their first “Nationally (c) All three
Determined Contributions” (NDCs) (d) None
targets.
2. India has announced a Panchamrita to 34. With respect to the Forest Carbon
combat climate change. Partnership Facility, consider the
3. Only 10 countries have committed to following statements:
cutting methane emissions by at least 1. It is an initiative by the World Bank.
30% by 2030. 2. It was launched in 2008 and all the
How many of the above statements are UN members are the partners of the
correct? Forest Carbon Partnership Facility
(a) Only one (FCPF).
3. The FCPF Readiness Fund helps the
(b) Only two
countries set up the building blocks to
(c) All three
implement REDD+.
(d) None
RAUSIAS-0256 6
How many of the above statements are 37. Consider the following statements:
correct? 1. Kappaphycus Alvarezii is a seaweed
(a) Only one species indigenous to India.
(b) Only two 2. The International Union for
(c) All three Conservation of Nature has
(d) None categorized the Kappaphycus Alvarezii
as 'Vulnerable.'
35. With respect to the Convention on 3. Rhododendrons are the evergreen
International Trade in Endangered trees endemic to the Western
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Himalayan region.
1. CITES is an international agreement
correct?
to which the States and the regional
economic integration organizations (a) Only one
adhere voluntarily. (b) Only two
2. All import, export, re-export and (c) All three
introduction from the sea of the (d) None
species covered by the Convention
must be authorized through a
licensing system. 38. With reference to the air pollutants,
3. Appendix III of the CITES includes consider the following statements:
species threatened with extinction. 1. Particulate Matter (PM) of 10
How many of the above statements are micrometres are the most harmful for
correct? human health.
(a) Only one 2. The Earth’s soil is the primary source
(b) Only two for the ‘Fugitive Particulate Matter’.
(c) All three 3. Particulate Matter forms in the
(d) None atmosphere due to complex
reactions between sulphur
36. Consider the following pairs: dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
S.N. Conventions Intent How many of the above statements are
1. The Basel Transboundary incorrect?
Convention Movement of (a) Only one
Hazardous Wastes (b) Only two
and their Disposal. (c) All three
2. The Hazardous (d) None
Stockholm Chemicals and
Convention Pesticides.
39. Consider the following statements with
3. The Persistent Organic
reference to the Air (Prevention and
Rotterdam Pollutants.
Control of Pollution) Act, 1981:
Convention
1. The Central Pollution Control Board
How many of the above pairs are correctly
has been entrusted to designate the
matched?
‘air pollution areas’ at the federal and
(a) Only one
the state levels.
(b) Only two
2. ‘Noise’ has been included in the list of
(c) All three
harmful substances through the
(d) None
Amendment made to the Act in 1987.
RAUSIAS-0256 7
Which of the statements given above 2. Cultural eutrophication leads to

is/are correct? excessive influx of nitrogen and
(a) 1 only phosphorous to the water bodies.
(b) 2 only 3. Excessive algal bloom due to
(c) Both 1 and 2 eutrophication leads to decreased
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 water turbidity.
40. Consider the following statements: correct?
1. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an (a) Only one
initiative under the ambit of the (b) Only two
Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. (c) All three
2. The AQI is a colour-coded scale, (d) None
consisting of eight categories to assess
the levels of air pollution.
43. With reference to the Bio-medical Waste
3. The measurement of air quality under
Management Rules, 2016, consider the
AQI is based on six major pollutants.
following statements:
1. Bio-medical waste is categorized into
incorrect?
four colour-coded groups to improve
(a) Only one
waste separation at its source.
(b) Only two
2. Under the 2016 Rules, the emission
(c) All three
limits for dioxin and furans have been
(d) None included.
3. The use of chlorinated plastic bags
41. With reference to the National Ambient has been specified for the safe
Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), consider disposal of human anatomical waste.
the following statements:
1. Benzene and Benzopyrene are among
incorrect?
the pollutants covered under the
(a) Only one
NAAQS to monitor the air pollution
levels. (b) Only two
2. The standards are notified by the (c) All three
Central Pollution Control Board, that (d) None
are applicable all over the country.
Which of the statements given above 44. Consider the following statements with
is/are correct? reference to the National Green Tribunal
(a) 1 only (NGT):
(b) 2 only 1. Any appeal relating to the order of the
(c) Both 1 and 2 National Biodiversity Authority can be
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 taken to the National Green Tribunal.
2. The NGT was established through the
42. Consider the following with reference to enactment of the National
environmental pollution: Environmental Tribunal Act, 1995.
1. Eutrophication leads to oxygen 3. The National Green Tribunal lacks the
depletion in water, creating hypoxia jurisdiction on the issues related to
conditions. the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
RAUSIAS-0256 8
How many of the above statements are (c) A drought caused by the depletion of
correct? underground water sources.
(a) Only one (d) It is a term used to describe a desert
(b) Only two ecosystem with lush, thriving flora.
(c) All three
(d) None 48. ‘Phonotaxis’, often seen in the news, is
(a) an invasive alien species found in
45. Consider the following statements: North-east India.
1. ‘Agenda 21' was adopted during the (b) a commonly grown fungus in the
first Human Environment Conference Western Himalayas.
held in Stockholm. (c) the movement by an animal in
2. The ‘Earth Summit’ led to the response to a sound.
finalization of the UN Framework (d) a tree species found in a part of the
Convention on Climate Change
Western Ghats of India.
(UNFCCC).
is/are correct? 49. With reference to the Ken Betwa Linking
Project, consider the following
(a) 1 only
statements:
(b) 2 only
1. It aims to transfer surplus water from
(c) Both 1 and 2
the Ken river to the drought prone
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Bagelkhand region.
2. It includes the construction of the
46. With reference to the Glacial Lake Daudhan dam on the Betwa river.
Outburst Flood (GLOF), consider the
3. It will lead to the submergence of
some parts of the Pench Tiger Reserve.
1. It is a type of outburst flood occurring
when water, dammed by a glacier or a How many of the above statements are
moraine, is released. correct?
2. It can be triggered by seismic (a) Only one
activities, extremely heavy rains and (b) Only two
ice avalanches. (c) All three
Which of the statements given above (d) None
is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
50. Which one of the following is the best
(b) 2 only description of the term ‘Estivation’?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (a) It is a situation when the animals are
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 dormant due to hot and dry weather
conditions.
47. With reference to the Green Drought, (b) It is a relationship between the
which one of the following statements is species in which one species benefits
correct? from the other, without either
(a) It occurs when moisture level in the harming or benefiting the latter.
soil is insufficient to maintain average (c) It is a form of reproduction among the
crop yields.
amphibians.
(b) It is a condition when rainfall co-
(d) It is a survival strategy by the
exists with sub-optimal growth
mammals to sustain the situation of
conditions for the plants.
food scarcity in the polar regions.
RAUSIAS-0256 9
51. Consider the following statements with 2. The Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger

reference to fluorescence: Reserve is the largest Tiger Reserve in
1. It occurs when an object absorbs the the country.
light of lower energy and releases it at 3. Madhya Pradesh has the highest
higher energy. number of tiger population in the
2. All known mammalian orders exhibit country.
some form of fluorescence. How many of the above statements are
correct?
is/are correct? (a) Only one
(b) Only two
(a) 1 only
(c) All three
(b) 2 only
(d) None
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve spreads
52. With reference to the Siachen Glacier,
over two states only.
which one the following statements is
2. The Mukurthi National Park was
incorrect?
created to protect a keystone species,
(a) It is a piedmont glacier located in the the Nilgiri Tahr.
Eastern Karakoram Range.
(b) It is the longest glacier in the world’s is/are correct?
non – polar areas. (a) 1 only
(c) Operation Meghdoot gave India (b) 2 only
control over all of the Siachen Glacier, (c) Both 1 and 2
including its tributaries.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) It serves as a habitat for the snow
leopard species.
56. ‘Conocarpus’, often seen in the news, is
(a) an extract that is widely used in the
53. With reference to the Antarctic Krill, synthesis of pesticides.
consider the following statements: (b) a distinct species of spider found in
1. Krill are small crustaceans found the Western Ghats.
throughout the Southern Ocean. (c) a rare plant species which does not
2. They have the ability to shrink their produce flowers or seeds.
bodies and undergo long periods of (d) an exotic mangrove species which is
starvation. detrimental to the native biodiversity.
3. They are bioluminescent.
How many of the above statements are 57. Consider the following statements with
correct? reference to the Wildlife (Protection)
(a) Only one Amendment Act, 2022:
(b) Only two 1. It aims to implement the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered
(c) All three
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
(d) None
2. It increases the number of Schedules
for specimens in the Act.
54. Consider the following statements: 3. It seeks to provide compensation for
1. Bihar is the only State in India with voluntarily surrendering any captive
no Tiger Reserves. animal.
RAUSIAS-0256 10
4. It empowers the Central Government 61. The term ‘Lifestyle for Environment
to regulate the proliferation of invasive (LiFE)’ is sometimes seen in the news, in
alien species. the context of which of the following?
How many of the above statements are (a) Plan of action outlined by the United
correct? Nations regarding the Sustainable
(a) Only one Development Goals.
(b) Only two (b) Capital contributed by the countries
(c) Only three of the world towards environment
(d) All four conservation in the Small Island
Developing States.
58. Consider the following statements with (c) Global initiative to fight against
reference to the findings of the 6th climate change through community
Assessment Report of the engagement and lifestyle modification.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
(d) Pledges made by the developed
Change (IPCC):
countries to adopt a vegan lifestyle
1. The global temperatures are expected
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
to reach 1.5°C above the pre-
industrial levels by 2040.
2. Observed that the global warming is 62. With reference to the Gross Environment
human-induced, dominated by carbon Product (GEP), consider the following
dioxide and methane. statements:
Which of the statements given above 1. The GEP is the aggregated annual
is/are correct? value of goods and services provided
(a) 1 only by the ecosystems to the people in a
(b) 2 only given region.
(c) Both 1 and 2 2. It can be applied to measure the
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 status of ecosystem services and
gauge progress towards sustainable
59. The 'Madhav Gadgil Committee Report', development.
sometimes in the news, is related to Which of the statements given above
which of the following? is/are correct?
(a) Interlinking of the rivers. (a) 1 only
(b) Assessing the impact of sea-level rise (b) 2 only
on the coastal communities. (c) Both 1 and 2
(c) Protection of the Western Ghats.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Restoration of corals.
63. Which of the following statements best

60. Consider the following events:
describes "Phytoremediation"?
1. Increased frequency of El Nino.
(a) A method to extract minerals from soil
2. Elevated levels of solar irradiance.
using chemical solvents.
3. Ocean acidification.
(b) A technique utilizing the plants to
4. Tropical cyclones.
clean up contaminated environments.
How many of the above increase the risks
(c) A process of genetically modifying
of coral bleaching?
micro-organisms to degrade plastic
(a) Only one
waste.
(b) Only two
(d) A method for desalinating seawater
(c) Only three
using specialized plants.
(d) All four
RAUSIAS-0256 11
64. Consider the following pairs: How many of the above statements are
correct?
S.N. Hydrogen Source
(a) Only one
1. Black hydrogen Fossil fuels
(b) Only two
2. Pink hydrogen Methane (c) All three
pyrolysis (d) None
3. Turquoise Nuclear power
hydrogen sources 67. With reference to the Global Stocktake
Report, consider the following statements:
4. Green hydrogen Renewable
1. It was established under the Paris
sources
Agreement.
How many of the above pairs are correctly 2. It was initiated in the Glasgow
matched? Summit in 2021.
(a) Only one pair 3. It is intended to evaluate the progress
(b) Only two pairs on climate action at the global level.
(c) Only three pairs How many of the above statements are
correct?
(c) All four pairs
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
65. With reference to Bio-CNG, consider the
(c) All three
(d) None
1. Bio-CNG comprises 50% of pure
methane gas.
68. With reference to the ‘Stump-Tailed
2. Its calorific value is similar to that of Macaque’, a primate species, consider the
the Compressed Natural Gas. following statements:
3. It is produced through anaerobic 1. It is found in the evergreen forests in
decomposition of biomass. South Asia, including parts of North-
How many of the above statements are east India.
correct? 2. It is listed as ‘critically endangered’ on

the IUCN Red List of Species.
(a) Only one
3. It is given legal protection under
(b) Only two Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection)
(c) All three Act, 1972.
(d) None How many of the above statements are
correct?
66. With reference to the Global Biofuel (a) Only one

Alliance (GBA), consider the following (b) Only two
statements: (c) All three
(d) None
1. The GBA was launched at COP28 of
the UNFCCC.
69. With reference to the Hoolock Gibbon, a
2. India was instrumental in the creation
primate species, consider the following
of the GBA.
statements:
3. It is an alliance of the governments, 1. The range of this species is found in
international organizations and Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and
industry for adoption of biofuels. Nagaland.
RAUSIAS-0256 12
2. The Gibbons have the ability to 72. Consider the following statements:
generate musical compositions for 1. The world’s largest reserves of
demarcating the territory. phosphorus are in Morocco and the
3. The male Hoolock Gibbons are larger Western Sahara region.
than the females. 2. In 2021, India was the world's largest
How many of the above statements are importer of phosphorus.
correct? 3. Phosphorus contributes to serious
(a) Only one environmental issues, such as algal
blooms and fish deaths.
(b) Only two
(c) All three
correct?
(d) None
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
70. With reference to the Tampara Lake,
(c) All three
(d) None
1. It is a freshwater lake in Maharashtra.
2. It is placed in the Wetland Atlas,
73. Consider the following statements about
prepared by the Ministry of Sulphur Hexafluoride:
Environment, Forest and Climate
1. It is used as an insulating material in
Change.
electrical transmission and
3. It is an important habitat for Cyprinus distribution systems.
Carpio, Common Pochard and River 2. It is used in the production of
Tern. magnesium.
How many of the above statements are 3. It has the strongest known global
correct? warming potential.
(a) Only one 4. It is found naturally on the Earth.
(b) Only two How many of the above statements are
(c) All three correct?
(d) None (a) Only one
(b) Only two
71. Consider the following pairs: (c) Only three
S.N. Species Endemic to (d) All four
1. White-Bellied The Andaman

74. Petalite, Lepidolite and Spodumene are
Sholakili and Nicobar
minerals for which of the following
Islands
elements?
2. Ashambu The Western (a) Cobalt
laughingthrush Ghats
(b) Lithium
Which of the pairs given above is/are (c) Niobium
correctly matched? (d) Zirconium
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only 75. Consider the following statements about
(c) Both 1 and 2 the Ecomark Certification Rules, 2023:
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 1. Ecomark certification will promote

circular economy.
RAUSIAS-0256 13
2. Under these Rules, Ecomark 78. With reference to the ‘vitrimers’, consider
certification will be issued by the the following statements:
Bureau of Indian Standards. 1. It is a class of plastics derived from
Which of the statements given above thermosetting polymers.
is/are correct? 2. Vitrimers can be reshaped,
(a) 1 only reprocessed and repaired multiple
(b) 2 only times without losing their properties.
(c) Both 1 and 2 Which of the statements given above
is/are correct?
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
76. Consider the following statements about
the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF): (c) Both 1 and 2
1. The UNFF was established by the UN (d) Neither 1 nor 2

General Assembly to promote the
management, conservation and 79. With reference to the Galapagos Islands,
development of all types of forests. consider the following statements:
2. It is an inter-governmental body, 1. The Galapagos Islands are located at
where all member states of the UN are the confluence of three ocean
the members of the UNFF. currents.
Which of the statements given above 2. The Giant Tortoises is endemic to
is/are correct? these islands.
(a) 1 only 3. It is an archipelago in the Republic of
Ecuador.
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
incorrect?
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
1. All fans produced and sold in India
(d) None
must necessarily have a star rating.
2. Star labelling of the fans has been
80. With reference to the Pavana river,
mandated by the Bureau of Indian
Standards.
1. The river originates from the Eastern
3. The Brushless Direct Current (BLDC)
Ghats.
motors are energy efficient, but
expensive, as compared to the 2. It is a tributary of the Bhima river.
traditional fans. Which of the statements given above
4. The BLDC fans run on alternating is/are correct?
current. (a) 1 only
How many of the above statements are (b) 2 only
correct? (c) Both 1 and 2
(a) Only one (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) Only two
(c) Only three 81. With reference to ‘white hydrogen’,
(d) All four consider the following statements:
1. It is generated through electrolysis
powered by nuclear energy.
RAUSIAS-0256 14
2. It causes high carbon dioxide How many of the above statements are
emissions. correct?
3. It is cheaper and more efficient. (a) Only one
How many of the above statements are (b) Only two
correct? (c) All three
(a) Only one (d) None
(b) Only two

(c) All three
1. Methane is a long-lived greenhouse
(d) None
gas (GHG), as against the GHG carbon
dioxide.
82. ‘Candolleomyces Albosquamosus’ is a 2. Methane is more potent than carbon
new species of which of the following? dioxide at trapping heat in the
(a) Mushroom atmosphere.
(b) Teak 3. Rice is the most important
anthropogenic source of methane.
(c) Snake
(d) Turtle
correct?
(a) Only one
83. With reference to India's Melghat Tiger (b) Only two
Reserve, consider the following (c) All three
statements:
(d) None
1. It is located in the foot hills of the
Satpura Hill Range. 86. With reference to the Pigmy Hog, consider
2. The area is drained by the tributaries the following statements:
of the Godavari river. 1. It is endemic to the Western Ghats.
3. The Reserve is predominately 2. It is listed as ‘critically endangered’ on
inhabited by the Korku tribes. the IUCN Red List of species.
How many of the above statements are 3. It is listed in Appendix 1 of the
correct? Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
(a) Only one
and Flora.
(b) Only two
(c) All three correct?
(d) None (a) Only one
(b) Only two
84. With reference to the Amur falcon, (c) All three
consider the following statements: (d) None
1. It migrates from Siberia to Southern
Africa during the winters. 87. Which of the following is India’s first
2. It is listed as ‘critically endangered’ on village to be powered by solar all day,
the IUCN Red List of species. every day?
3. It is given legal protection under (a) Mana
Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (b) Khonoma
(Protection) Act, 1972. (c) Mayem
(d) Modhera
RAUSIAS-0256 15
88. With reference to the 'Climate Neutral 91. With reference to the Irrawaddy Dolphin,
Now Initiative', sometimes seen in the consider the following statements:
news, consider the following statements: 1. It is found in marine, brackish and
1. It is an initiative launched by the freshwater throughout south-east
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Asia.
Change (IPCC). 2. It is given legal protection under
2. It encourages and supports the Schedule I of India’s Wildlife
organizations to achieve a climate (Protection) Act, 1972.
neutral world by 2070. Which of the statements given above
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
92. With reference to the Atlantic Meridional

Overturning Circulation, consider the
1. The Nalsarovar Wetland is the largest following statements:
natural wetland in the Thar Desert
1. It is a circulation of ocean water,
Biogeographic Province.
driven by the gravitational pull of the
2. The Tso Moriri Wetland is the only Sun and the Moon.
breeding ground for the Bar-headed
2. It carries nutrients necessary to
Geese in India.
sustain ocean life, and brings warmth
3. Both Nalsarovar and Tso Moriri are
to various parts of the globe.
under the Ramsar sites.
is/are correct?
correct?
(a) 1 only
(a) Only one
(b) 2 only
(b) Only two
(c) Both 1 and 2
(c) All three
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) None
90. With reference to the Action for Climate 93. With reference to the "Western Tragopan",
Empowerment (ACE), consider the sometimes mentioned in the news,
following statements: consider the following statements:
1. It is an initiative launched by the 1. Western Tragopan is a plant.
United Nation Environment 2. It is included under the ‘endangered’
Programme. category of the IUCN’s Red List.
2. The goal is to empower all members of 3. It is being captively bred in the
the society to engage in climate Himalayan foothills of north-eastern
action, through climate change India.
education and public awareness. How many of the above statements are
Which of the statements given above correct?
is/are correct? (a) Only one
(a) 1 only (b) Only two
(b) 2 only (c) All three
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) None
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
RAUSIAS-0256 16
94. Consider the following statements 97. With reference to the Adaptation Gap
regarding the Nilgiri Marten: Report of 2023, consider the following
1. It is the only Marten species native to statements:
southern India. 1. It is an annual report published by
2. It lives on trees and does not descend the Intergovernmental Panel on
to the ground. Climate Change.
3. It is herbivorous. 2. The report assesses adaptation
How many of the above statements are finance as per the Nationally
correct? Determined Contributions only.
(a) Only one 3. Domestic budgets are the largest
(b) Only two source of funding for adaptation in
(c) All three many developing countries.
(d) None How many of the above statements are
correct?
95. With reference to the glaciers in India, (a) Only one
consider the following pairs: (b) Only two
S.N. Major Glaciers Place (c) All three
1. Parkachik Jammu and (d) None

Kashmir
2. Pindari Uttarakhand 98. Consider the following statements about
the Energy Conservation Building Code
3. Chomolungma Ladakh
(ECBC), 2017:
How many of the above pairs are correctly
1. The ECBC has been notified by the
matched?
Ministry of Housing and Urban
(a) Only one
Affairs.
(b) Only two
2. The ECBC is applicable on all
(c) All three
commercial buildings.
(d) None
3. The ECBC is applicable only on new
buildings being constructed after
96. With reference to Deodar, consider the
2017.
4. The states have the flexibility to
1. This tree is found naturally in the
modify the Code to suit their local
Eastern Ghats.
needs.
2. It prefers sunny and well-drained
locations, and is limited to the areas
correct?
with mild winters.
(a) Only one
is/are correct? (b) Only two
(a) 1 only (c) Only three
(b) 2 only (d) All four
(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2
RAUSIAS-0256 17
99. Raptors are a class of species, related to 2. Baltoro, Zemu and Biafo are the
which of the following? important glaciers located in the
(a) Snakes Karakoram region.
(b) Birds Which of the statements given above
(c) Fish is/are correct?
(d) Amphibians (a) 1 only

(b) 2 only
100. Consider the following statements about (c) Both 1 and 2

the Karakoram Anomaly: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. The Karakoram region is displaying
exceptionally high rate of glacial loss.
RAUSIAS-0256 18
Answers &
Explanations
of
TEST ID: 0256

GENERAL STUDIES (PAPER–I)
Subject: Environment, Ecology,

Biodiversity and Climate Change
ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS OF

Subject: Environment, Ecology,
Biodiversity and Climate Change
GS Paper-I: (0256)
1. Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Cell is the basic unit of life in any living
organism. Likewise, an
individual/organism is the smallest unit of
interaction or existence in the ecological
arena.
Organism or single individual: An
organism is a single individual or being.
Example: An elephant in the Kaziranga
National Park.
Species: A group of single individuals
having potential to inter-breed and produce
fertile offspring. Example: The entire Ecosystem: It is composed of the biological
elephant population. community, integrated with its physical
Population: It is a group of individuals of a environment through exchange of gases,
energy and recycling of the nutrients. The
plant or an animal species inhabiting a
ecosystem involves the interactions
given area. Example: All the elephants of
between the living and the non-living
the Kaziranga National Park form a
worlds, or the biotic and the abiotic worlds.
population of the elephants in that area.
Landscape: It is a unit of land with a
Biological community: It is the
natural boundary, having a mosaic of
assemblage of the populations of plants, patches representing different ecosystems.
animals, microbes and all other life-forms
Example: A view of river, its valley and
living in a particular area and interacting
grasslands nearby from a mountain top
with each other for fulfilment of needs. with three different ecosystems in one
Example: Elephants + rhino + bacteria + picture.
other wild animals and plants of the Biome: It is a large regional unit
Kaziranga National Park. The biological characterized by major vegetation types
community does not involve the and associated fauna/animal life, found in
interactions of the living beings with an a specific climatic zone.
abiotic/physical environment. Example: The tropical rain forests of the
Western Ghats form a typical biome with
characterized vegetation of mahogany,
ebony, rosewood etc., accompanied by
animal life of the Malabar Civet; the Nilgiri
Tahr etc., and climatic conditions of high
rainfall, high humidity and higher
temperatures.
RAUSIAS-0256 1
Biosphere: On a global scale, all the but the others are restricted to a narrow
Earth’s terrestrial biomes and aquatic range (Stenohaline). Many freshwater
systems constitute the biosphere. It animals cannot live for long in sea
includes the lower atmosphere, land, water, and vice versa, because of the
oceans and rivers etc., where the living osmotic problems they would face.
organisms can be found. So, a biosphere is  Light and its availability is particularly
the biologically inhabited part of the Earth, vital for the autotrophs, which depend
along with its physical environment. on it for their source of energy and for
producing food through photosynthesis.
2. Answer: (d) Many plants are also dependent on
Explanation: sunlight to meet their photoperiodic
requirement for flowering. For many
Major abiotic factors and their
animals too, light is important, in that
significance in species distribution:
they use the diurnal and seasonal
 Temperature is the most important
variations in light intensity and
environmental factor that is responsible
duration (photoperiod) as cues for
for variations in the habitat, as well as
timing their foraging, reproductive and
the species that reside in such habitats.
migratory activities.
Temperature affects the basal
 Soils and their properties exhibit
metabolism of the organisms. With
spatial variation in terms of their
reference to the capacity of tolerance to
composition, grain size and water
temperature range, there can be two
holding capacity, which, in turn,
categories of organisms:
determine the vegetation in any area.
(i) A few organisms can tolerate and
This, in turn, dictates the type of
thrive in a wide range of
animals that can be supported.
temperatures (Eurythermal). For
example, humans, monkeys etc.
3. Answer: (c)
(ii) On the other hand, a vast majority
of them are restricted to a narrow Explanation:
range of temperatures The animals have adapted and evolved to
(Stenothermal). For example, survive in various environments. Birds and
penguins, polar bears etc. mammals regulate their body
 The levels of thermal tolerance of temperatures and can live in large
different species determine, to a large ecological niches. These kinds of
extent, their geographical distribution. animals are called the ‘regulators’, or
‘homeotherms’. The ‘conformers, or
 Water is another important factor in
‘poikilotherms’, must relocate to
deciding the species distribution.
maintain body temperature. Lizards,
Availability of water decides the
insects and fish represent examples of
adaptations needed by an organism to
conformers.
survive in a particular habitat, for
example, adaptation in the ‘desert The regulators regulate their bodies to
biome’. Similarly, productivity and remain at a relatively constant
distribution of the plants heavily temperature. While in the past, such
depend upon the availability of water. regulators were called warm-blooded, now
the preferred term is ‘endotherm’ – the
The quality of water, in terms of salinity
animals that generate heat. These animals,
and chemical composition, also acts as
which include mammals and most birds,
a deciding factor in the distribution of
control their body temperature despite their
species. Some organisms are tolerant of
surroundings. Due to their resilience, the
a wide range of salinities (Euryhaline),
RAUSIAS-0256 2
regulators occupy a greater diversity of • The ectotherms depend mainly on

ecological niches than the conformers. external heat sources, and their body
Such regulation demands significant temperature changes with the
energy expenditure, requiring the temperature of the environment.
regulators to consume more food and Although the ectotherms do generate
possess a higher metabolism than the some metabolic heat—like all living
conformers. For example, the things — but they use strategies like
hummingbirds must eat every several seeking sunlight in case of cold
minutes to regulate their body temperature, and shade when it is hot
temperatures. To cool down, the regulators outside. Most of the reptiles, along with
rely on sweating, panting or opening their most fish, amphibians and
mouths. Many regulators rely on altruistic invertebrates — are ectotherms.
social contact to keep warm in cold
conditions. For example, the rodents
5. Answer: (c)
huddle together over the newborn pups to
keep them warm. Penguins, in their Explanation:
extremely cold environments, also huddle Created in 1967, the Point Calimere
together for warmth to protect themselves Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary primarily
and their young-ones. In humans, the focuses on the protection and conservation
newborn babies require close physical of the Black Antelopes, an endangered and
contact with the care-givers, because they endemic species that is found in this
cannot fully regulate their heat to survive. region. Located 11 kms away from
The conformers must change their Vedaranyam, the Sanctuary covers an area
environment to survive temperature of 17.26 sq. kms.
variations. The older term – cold-blooded – It has a sandy coast covered in saline
is less favoured than ectotherms, which swamp and thorny scrub around the
refers to the animals that rely on the backwaters. The region also boasts of the
environment for their heat. Conformers presence of many mangroves, owing to its
include fish, reptiles, insects, amphibians coastal properties. Wild Boar; Macaque;
and worms. Conformers engage in Black Buck; and Chital etc., are some of
behaviour to regulate their temperature, the animals that can be commonly found in
such as basking in the Sun for warmth or Point Calimere.
retreating underground or into water to
The Sanctuary also hosts a number of bird
cool. Some aquatic animals even alter their
species, including Stilts; Plovers; Turns;
salinity to match that of the environment
and Teals. Migratory birds, like Flamingos
around them.
and Waterfowls, can also be seen in this
region.
4. Answer: (d)
Explanation:
6. Answer: (c)
• The endotherms use internally
Explanation:
generated heat to maintain body
temperature. When it is cold outside, Photoautotrophs: These producers use
they increase metabolic heat sunlight as the primary source of energy to
production to keep their body carry out photosynthesis. They contain
temperature constant. Their body specialized structures, called chloroplasts,
temperature tends to stay steady, that contain chlorophyll, a pigment that
regardless of the environment. Humans, captures light energy. Through
polar bears, birds and mammals are photosynthesis, the photoautotrophs
endotherms. convert carbon dioxide and water into
RAUSIAS-0256 3
glucose (a simple sugar) and oxygen. Purple frog is a fossorial (burrowing)

Plants, algae and some bacteria are the species. It spends much of its life
examples of photoautotrophs. underground, emerging briefly for a few
Chemoautotrophs: These producers obtain days each year at the start of the monsoons
energy from chemical reactions, involving to breed. This species of frogs is endemic to
inorganic compounds, rather than Western Ghats.
sunlight. They are typically found in The purple frog is restricted to the Western
extreme environments, such as deep-sea Ghats of India, it has been reported from
hydrothermal vents or volcanic areas, several locations in Kerala and a single
where sunlight is not available. location in Tamil Nadu. It has been
Chemoautotrophs derive energy by recorded within protected areas including
oxidizing substances like ammonia, nitrites Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Periyar Tiger
or sulphur compounds. Certain bacteria Reserve and Silent Valley National Park.
and archaea are the examples of Purple frog has been named as 'Mahabali
chemoautotrophs. Frog' after the King Mahabali, who visits
Heterotrophs: These are the organisms his people once a year from the underneath
that cannot produce their own food and world.
obtain energy by consuming other IUCN Status of Purple frog: Near
organisms. They rely on the organic matter Threatened.
produced by the autotrophs or other
heterotrophs for their survival and energy
needs.
7. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Dancing frog are a group of frog species
endemic to Western Ghats. They are
considered the most threatened amphibian
genus of India.
The dancing frogs that are found near the Galaxy frog is one of the most beautiful frog
streams do a unique display to mate. The species in the world. It is ann amphibian
males stretch up their hind legs one at a species endemic to the eastern part of the
time and wave their webbed toes in the air Western Ghats, primarily in shola forests.
in a rapid motion akin to a dance. This is to Galaxy frog has been identified as the
attract mates as well as ward off flagship species for conservation in the
competition, probably preferred because Mathikettan Shola National Park, home to
their mating calls are drowned out by the rare flora and fauna. Galaxy frog, though
gurgling of the streams. This act is called small in size, is known by the name due to
“foot flagging” and gives the species their his galaxy-like appearance and is blue and
name. yellow in colour.
RAUSIAS-0256 4
8. Answer: (a) the male platypus can deliver a strong toxic

Explanation: blow to any approaching foe. They have
About the Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary: electroreceptors in their bills to help them
This freshwater marsh, in the Sant Kabir find food in rivers and streams.
Nagar district, is the largest natural They generally inhabit freshwater rivers,
floodplain wetland of eastern Uttar wetlands, and also known to venture into
Pradesh. The Sanctuary was established in brackish estuaries.
1980 and is protected under the Wildlife
(Protection) Act of 1972; an “eco-sensitive 11. Answer: (b)
zone” extends upto a kilometre around its Explanation:
boundary. The Wetland is internationally
After planting thousands of Conocarpus
important for its birdlife, as it supports
trees (locally Saptaparni) over the last few
over 80 species.
years, the civic bodies in Gujarat are now
It provides a wintering ground for over 25 chopping them down after the government
species which migrate on the Central Asian orders sought a ban on planting the species
Flyway, some of which are threatened or because of its environmental and health
near-threatened, such as the ‘endangered’ hazards.
Egyptian Vulture (Neophron Percnopterus);
The move came following years of
the ‘vulnerable’ Greater Spotted Eagle
campaigning by the experts who pointed
(Aquila Clanga); the Common Pochard
out that the plant is a water-guzzler and
(Aythya Ferina); and the Swamp Francolin
can hit the water tables. Large
(Francolinus gularis); and the ‘near-
populations of this tree has sped up the
threatened’ Oriental Darter (Anhinga
evaporation process and its roots choke the
Melanogaster); and the Woolly-necked
drainage pipes, they added.
Stork (Ciconia Episcopus).
The plant pollinates twice a year and is also
The Wetland also supports 119 plant
injurious to human health, stated the
species and 45 species of fish. It is home to
experts, citing a rise in the cases of cough,
the ‘vulnerable’ European Carp (Cyprinus
cold, asthma and respiratory disorders.
Carpio); and the Catfish Wallago Attu; and
But, for the past few years, the plant has
the ‘near-threatened’ Gangetic Ailia (Ailia
been preferred by the government
Coila) and the Silver Carp
authorities, as well as the private
(Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix). The site is
companies, because it grows instantly, can
also used for recreation and tourism, and
tolerate high temperatures, does not need
contributes to food supply and nutrient
fresh water streams to grow, and bears
cycling.
flowers.
It is a medium-sized evergreen tree from
9. Answer: (a)
the very moist forests of the Himalayas. The
Explanation: tree’s natural range shows a broad belt in
Cynophiles are the people who are the Sub-Himalayan tracts, east of the
attracted to dogs and find them irresistible. Yamuna, and is also found in the moist
forests of the Western and the Eastern
10. Answer: (c) Ghats in peninsular India. In addition to
Explanation: this, it also grows naturally from Sri Lanka
to Myanmar and South China, and from
The platypus is a duck-billed, beaver-tailed,
the Malay Peninsula to Australia.
otter-footed, egg-laying aquatic creature,
native to Australia. The male of the In its natural habitat, it is best suited to
species is also one of the world’s few deep, moist soil and its tolerance to drier
venomous mammals! Equipped with conditions.
sharp stingers on the heels of its hind feet,
RAUSIAS-0256 5
12. Answer: (a)

Explanation:
The South Lhonak Lake is a glacial-moraine-dammed lake, located in Sikkim's far north-
western region.
13. Answer: (a) 14. Answer: (c)

Explanation: Explanation:
The Green Credit Programme (GCP), ‘Conservation Reserves’ and ‘Community
notified in 2023, is an innovative Reserves’ in India are the terms denoting
market-based mechanism, designed to the ‘Protected Areas’ of India, which
incentivize voluntary environmental typically act as the buffer zones to, or
actions across diverse sectors, by connectors and migration corridors
various stakeholders, like individuals, between the established National Parks,
communities, private sector industries Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Reserved and
and companies. Protected Forests of India.
The GCP's governance framework is Such areas are designated as ‘Conservation
supported by an inter-ministerial Steering Areas’ if they are uninhabited and
Committee. The Indian Council of Forestry completely owned by the Government of
Research and Education (ICFRE) serves as India, but used for subsistence by the
the GCP Administrator, responsible for communities and the community areas, if
programme implementation, management, parts of the lands are privately owned.
monitoring and operation. These Protected Area categories were first
In its initial phase, the GCP focuses on introduced in the Wildlife (Protection)
two key activities: water conservation Amendment Act of 2002, an amendment to
and afforestation. the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. These
The Green Credit Registry and trading categories were added because of reduced
platform, being developed by the ICFRE, protection in and around the existing or
along with experts, would facilitate the proposed Protected Areas due to private
registration and thereafter, the buying and ownership of land and land use.
selling of Green Credits.
RAUSIAS-0256 6
15. Answer: (c) environments. They can grow at greater

Explanation: depths. They normally grow between 30
The Stratospheric Polar Vortex and the metres and 40 metres, and upto 150
Tropospheric Vortex are two different metres in the tropical and sub-tropical
things. The Tropospheric Polar Vortex is a water.
normal atmospheric feature that affects our  Pillar Corals: These are found
weather every winter. throughout the Caribbean Sea.
A sudden stratospheric warming is a Population of the pillar corals has
significant disruption of the Stratospheric shrunk by 80% across its range since
Polar Vortex that begins with large-scale 1980s. The most urgent threat is the
atmosphere waves (called the Rossby ‘Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease’,
Waves) getting pushed higher into the which is a highly contagious disease
atmosphere. These waves can “break” (like and has emerged in the last four years.
the waves in the ocean) on top of the Polar IUCN (The International Union for
Vortex and weaken it. If the waves are Conservation of Nature) status:
strong enough, the winds of the Polar ‘Critically Endangered’.
Vortex can weaken so much that they can
reverse from being westerly to easterly. This 17. Answer: (a)
leads to cold air descending and warming Explanation:
rapidly. Mangroves: Ecological Adaptations:
‘Sudden Stratospheric Warming’ events can
 Pneumatophores, commonly found in
be caused by large atmospheric waves in
mangrove species that grow in saline
either the stratosphere or the troposphere.
mud flats, are the lateral roots that
The planetary waves have ridges and
grow upward out of mud and water to
troughs like the ocean waves, but span
function as the site of oxygen intake for
huge distances in the atmosphere. And just
the submerged primary root system.
like the waves crash at the beach, the
 Buttress roots, which are also known as
atmospheric waves can “crash” too, both in
the ‘plank roots’/’stilt roots’ are large,
the horizontal and the vertical directions.
wide roots on all sides of a shallowly
When a tropospheric atmospheric wave
rooted tree. Typically, they are found in
crashes vertically into the stratosphere and
the nutrient-poor tropical forest soils
slams into the Polar Vortex, it transfers a
that may not be very deep. They prevent
huge amount of energy. That energy can
the tree from falling over (hence the
slow or even reverse the circulation of the
name buttress), while also gathering
Polar Vortex and cause rapid warming.
more nutrients.
 Adaptations to low oxygen: By
16. Answer: (c)
propping themselves above the water
Explanation:
level with stilt roots and can then
Important Coral Types: absorb air through pores in their bark
 Fire corals are one of the rarest and (lenticels).
most endangered species of corals.  Nutrient uptake: Pneumatophores
 Snowflake coral is an invasive species (aerial roots) allow the mangroves to
of coral, which has a capacity to absorb gases directly from the
dominate space and crowd-out other atmosphere.
marine organisms.  Limiting salt intake: Mangroves
 Mesophotic Corals: These are the types exclude salt by having significantly
of corals which can survive in low light impermeable roots.
RAUSIAS-0256 7
 Limiting water loss: They can restrict for declaring an area to be a Reserved
the opening of their stomata (pores on Forest, Protected Forest or a Village
the leaf surfaces, which exchange Forest.
carbon dioxide gas and water vapour  It defines the forest offences as the acts
during photosynthesis).
prohibited inside a Reserved Forest, and
 Increasing survival of offspring: the penalties leviable on violation of the
Mangrove seeds are buoyant and are, provisions of the Act.
therefore, suited to water dispersal.
20. Answer: (a)

18. Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Explanation:
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund
According to the India State of Forest
Management and Planning Authority
Report 2021:
(CAMPA) Act:
 The mangroves cover 0.15% of the
1. To compensate for the loss of forest area
country’s total geographical area.
and to maintain sustainability, the
 There has been a net increase of 17
Government of India came up with a
sq km of mangrove cover in the
well-defined Act, known as the CAMPA
country, as compared to the 2019
(Compensatory Afforestation Fund
assessment. Odisha has shown the
most gain in 8 sq km and Maharashtra Management and Planning Authority)
4 sq km. Act.
 The order of States by mangrove 2. It establishes the National

cover: West Bengal (42.5%), Gujarat Compensatory Afforestation Fund
(23.6%). under the Public Account of India
 The 'State of the World’s Mangroves and a State Compensatory Afforestation
Report (2022)' points out that the Fund under the Public Account of each
mangroves are estimated to hold upto State. There shall be a National
four times the amount of carbon as Authority, with the Minister of
some other ecosystems. Environment, Forest and Climate
The loss of even 1% of the remaining Change, as the ex-officio chairperson.
mangroves could lead to the loss of 0.23 3. These Funds will receive payments
gigatons of CO2 equivalent. for (i) compensatory afforestation, (ii)
net present value (NPV) of the forests
19. Answer: (c) and (iii) other project-specific
Explanation: payments.
About the Indian Forest Act (IFA), 1927: 4. The National Fund will receive 10% of
 It provides a legal framework for: these funds and the State Funds will
receive the remaining 90%.
o Protection and management of the
forests. 5. According to the Act’s provision, a
company diverting forest land must
o Transit of the forest produce and
timber. provide alternative land to take up
compensatory afforestation.
o Duty leviable on timber and other
forest produce. 6. For afforestation, the company should
pay to plant new trees in the alternative
 It provides the basic architecture for the
land provided to the State.
management of the forests in India,
including the procedures to be followed
RAUSIAS-0256 8
21. Answer: (b) International Union for Conservation

Explanation: of Nature’s Red List of Threatened
Seven Indian States have declared the Species.
State Butterflies in India –
 Maharashtra: Blue Mormon (The first 23. Answer: (a)
State to declare a state butterfly). Explanation:
 Uttarakhand: Common Peacock. The invasive alien species are the exotic
 Karnataka: Southern Birdwings (The species or any non-native species of
largest butterfly in India). animals, plants or other organisms that
 Kerala: Malabar Banded Peacock. are introduced by the humans, either
intentionally or accidentally, into the
 Tamil Nadu: Tamil Yeoman.
places outside of their natural range.
 Arunachal Pradesh: Kaisar-i-Hind.
They negatively impact the native
 Goa: Malabar Tree Nymph (Black and biodiversity, ecosystem services and cause
white wing pattern). economic harm to the people dependent on
the ecosystem’s biological resources. To
22. Answer: (b) date, no legal framework exists to hold
Explanation: any person or organization accountable
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal for unintended impacts caused by these
in the world, with demand primarily in Asia species, once they escape human
and in growing amounts in Africa, for their control.
meat and scales. Common Invasive Species of India:
 India is home to two species of FLORA FAUNA
Pangolins:
 Prosopis Juliflora  African Apple
o The Indian Pangolin, found across Snail
 Water Hyacinth
the sub-continent; and
 Snowflake Corals  Papaya Mealy
o The Chinese Pangolin, found across Bug
 Lantana
a larger area in south Asia.
 Amazon Sailfin
o Bihar, West Bengal and Assam see Catfish
the presence of both.
 Characteristics:
24. Answer: (c)
o They have large, protective keratin
Explanation:
scales covering their skin, and they
are the only known mammals with  Located in the north-
this feature. eastern and the
o They roll into a ball when north-western slopes
threatened, which can make them of the Nilgiris, at the
easy pickings for the poachers. tri-junction of
The Kerala, Karnataka
o They are primarily nocturnal.
Mudumalai and Tamil Nadu.
 Conservation:
Tiger Reserve,  The Moyar river
o The International Union for
Tamil Nadu passes through it.
Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
 Documentary movie,
status: The Indian Pangolin has
'Elephant
been classified as ‘Endangered’ and
Whisperers', was
the Chinese, along with the Sunda
shot in this Tiger
and the Philippine Pangolin, as
Reserve. The
‘Critically Endangered’ by the
RAUSIAS-0256 9
Kattunayakan tribe The Act identifies the following: Title

(A Particularly Rights: Gives the FDSTs and the OTFDs,
Vulnerable Tribal Gr the right to ownership of the land
oup - PVTG) lives in farmed by the tribals or the forest
this Tiger Reserve. dwellers, subject to a maximum of 4
Kalakad  Located in the hectares. The ownership is only for the
Mundanthurai southern Western land, that is being cultivated by the
tiger reserve, Ghats and forms concerned family and no new lands will be
Tamil Nadu part of the granted. It also provides for community
Agasthyamalai rights over the minor forest produce and
Biosphere Reserve. other resources.
 Major river: The Use Rights: The rights of the dwellers

Gadananathi river. extend to extracting the ‘minor forest
produce’, grazing areas, pastoralist routes,
The Manas  Tiger Reserve with etc.
Tiger Reserve, the largest buffer
Who can claim these rights?
Assam area among the Tiger
 The members of the community of the
Reserves in India.
Scheduled Tribes who primarily reside
 It spreads across the
in, and who depend on the forests or
districts of
the forest lands for bona fide livelihood
Kokrajhar, Chirang,
needs.
Buxa and Udalguri
 It can also be claimed by any member
in north-west
or community who has, for at least
Assam.
three generations (75 years) before the
 Separated by river
13th day of December, 2005, primarily
Manas from the
resided in the forest land for bona fide
Royal Manas
livelihood needs.
National Park
 The Gram Sabha is the authority to
(Bhutan) in its
initiate the process for determining
north. Separated by
the nature and extent of the
river Sankosh from
Individual Forest Rights (IFRs) or the
the Buxa Tiger
Community Forest Rights (CFRs,) or
Reserve.
both, that may be given to the FDSTs
 Evolutionarily, it is
and the OTFDs.
the entry point of the
tigers into India.
26. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
25. Answer: (a)
The contribution that a greenhouse gas
Explanation:
makes to the greenhouse effect depends on
The Scheduled Tribes and other
how much heat it absorbs, how much it re-
Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition
radiates and how much of it is in the
of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (The Forest
atmosphere.
Rights Act, 2006) (The FRA Act, 2006):
The Act recognizes and vests the forest In the descending order, the gases that
rights and occupation in the forest land in contribute most to the Earth’s
the Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes greenhouse effect are:
(FDSTs) and the Other Traditional Forest o Water vapour (H2O)
Dwellers (OTFDs), who have been residing
o Carbon dioxide (CO2)
in such forests for generations.
RAUSIAS-0256 10
o Nitrous oxide(N2O) infrastructure and human health benefits.

o Methane (CH4) Decoupling (for climate change) is where
o Ozone (O3) economic growth is no longer strongly
associated with the consumption of fossil
fuels. Relative decoupling is where both
27. Answer: (b)
grow, but at different rates. Absolute
Explanation:
decoupling is where economic growth
Greenhouse Gases Sources/Causes happens, but fossil fuels decline.
Carbon dioxide Burning of fossil 29. Answer: (a)

(CO2) fuels, deforestation.
Explanation:
Growing paddy, The Paris Agreement is a legally binding
excreta of cattle and international treaty on climate change.
other livestock, It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in
Methane (CH4) termites, burning of Paris, in 2015.
fossil fuel, wood, The Paris Agreement requires all Parties to
landfills, wetlands, put forward their best efforts through the
fertilizer factories. “Nationally Determined Contributions”
(NDCs) and to strengthen these efforts in
Burning of fossil the years ahead. This includes
fuels, fertilizers, requirements that all Parties report
Nitrous oxide (N2O)
burning of wood and regularly on their emissions and their
crop residue. implementation efforts. There will also be a
global stocktake every 5 years to assess the
Produced as a by- collective progress towards achieving the
product in aluminum purpose of the Agreement and to inform
Perfluorocarbons
production and further individual actions by the Parties.
(PFCs)
manufacturing of It also prescribes that the Parties shall
semi-conductors. communicate their NDCs every 5 years and
provide information necessary for clarity
Used as refrigerants,
and transparency.
Hydrofluorocarbons aerosol propellants,
Voluntary Cooperation/Market and Non-
(HFCs) solvents and fire
Market-based approaches (Article 6): The
retardants.
Paris Agreement recognizes the possibility
Used as a tracer gas of voluntary cooperation among the Parties
for leak detection, to allow for higher ambition and sets out
Sulphur principles – including environmental
used in electrical
hexafluoride (SF6) integrity, transparency and robust
transmission
equipment. accounting – for any cooperation that
involves internationally transferal of
mitigation outcomes. It establishes a
28. Answer: (c) mechanism to contribute to the
Explanation: mitigation of the GHG (Greenhouse
Biophilic urbanism is designing the cities Gases) emissions and support
with green roofs, green walls and green sustainable development, and defines a
balconies to bring nature into the densest framework for non-market approaches to
parts of the cities to provide green sustainable development.
RAUSIAS-0256 11
30. Answer: (a) • A carbon market existed under the

Explanation: Kyoto Protocol. However, it has since
India ratified the Paris Agreement exactly disappeared due to the Protocol's
one year after the submission of its expiration last year.
Intended Nationally Determined • Because many countries abandoned
Contribution (INDC), in 2016. Since India their emission reduction commitments,
did not submit an NDC prior to ratification, the developing countries, such as India,
the INDC became its first NDC. It includes China and Brazil have substantial
the following main elements: amounts of carbon credits left over.
• To reduce the emissions intensity of • The Glasgow Pact has provided some
GDP by 33%–35% by 2030 below the relief to the poor countries.
2005 levels. • It has enabled the countries to use
• To increase the share of non-fossil- these carbon credits to satisfy their first
based energy resources to 40% of NDC targets.
installed electric power capacity by • The Paris Agreement's ‘loss and damage
2030, with the help of transfer of provision’ attempts to remedy this.
technology and low-cost international Substantive discussions on loss and
finance, including from the Green damage could take place in Glasgow,
Climate Fund (GCF). thanks to a push from numerous
• To create an additional (cumulative) countries.
carbon sink of 2.5–3 gigatonnes of CO2 • A provision for the establishment of a
equivalent (GtCO2e) through additional
facility to coordinate loss and damage
forest and tree cover by 2030.
actions was included in one of the
 India does not specify the coverage earlier drafts.
and metrics of the emissions
• India has announced a Panchamrita (A
intensity target in its NDCs.
Five-point Plan) to combat climate
change.
31. Answer: (b) • Brazil's ‘net-zero target year’ would be
Explanation: pushed back from 2060 to 2050.
The Conference of Parties to the United • Over a hundred countries have
Nations Framework Convention on Climate committed to cutting methane
Change (UNFCCC), or COP26, met in emissions by at least 30% by 2030,
Glasgow for the 26th time. Every year, compared to the current levels.
these meetings are convened to develop a
• Over a hundred countries have pledged
worldwide response to climate change.
to halt and reverse deforestation by
Each of these sessions results in a
2030.
collection of choices with various names.
• Over 30 countries signed a declaration
This has been dubbed the Glasgow Climate
vowing to work toward a transition to
Pact in this edition. Previously, these
zero-emission vehicles by 2040, at least
sessions resulted in the Kyoto Protocol in
in the world's major car markets.
1997 and the Paris Agreement in 2015,
both of which were treaty-like international
accords. 32. Answer: (a)
• Carbon markets make trading emission Explanation:
reductions easier. COP 27 of the United Nations Framework
• They are regarded as a crucial and Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
effective tool for reducing overall took place at Sharm-El-Sheikh (Egypt)
emissions. (Located on the southern tip of the Sinai
RAUSIAS-0256 12
Peninsula on the Red Sea). The theme of environment, although it brings about
COP 27 was ‘Together for Implementation’. elements of literal darkness on the Earth.
 The Loss and Damage Fund: The The effects of global dimming vary by
United Nations Climate Change location, with some areas being badly
Conference COP27 closed with a affected than the others.
breakthrough agreement to provide Various Causes of Global Dimming:
“loss and damage” funding for the 1. Aerosols
vulnerable countries hit hard by 2. Particulate matter
climate disasters.
3. Water droplets
 “Loss and damage” refer to the costs 4. Vapours
being incurred from climate-fuelled
5. Wildfires
weather extremes or impacts, like rising
sea levels.
34. Answer: (a)
 The Fund will be aimed at helping the
developing countries that are Explanation:
“particularly vulnerable” to the effects of The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility
climate change. (FCPF) is a global partnership of
 The developing countries made strong governments, businesses, civil society
and indigenous people's organizations,
and repeated appeals for the
focused on reducing emissions from
establishment of a Loss and Damage
deforestation and forest degradation, forest
Fund, to compensate the countries that
carbon stock conservation, sustainable
are most vulnerable to climate
management of forests and enhancement of
disasters, yet who have contributed
forest carbon stocks in the developing
little to the climate crisis.
countries, activities commonly referred to
 Loss and damage refer to the negative
as REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from
consequences that arise from the
Deforestation and forest Degradation+).
unavoidable risks of climate change,
• Launched in 2008, the FCPF now
like rising sea levels, prolonged
works with 47 developing countries
heatwaves, desertification, acidification
across Africa, Asia and Latin
of the sea and extreme events, such as
America, and the Caribbean, along
bushfires, species extinction and crop
with 17 donors that have made
failures.
contributions and commitments
 No agreement yet over what should
totalling $1.3 billion.
count as “loss and damage” caused
• The FCPF Readiness Fund helps the
by climate change.
countries set up the building blocks to
implement REDD+. This includes
33. Answer: (c) designing national REDD+ strategies,
Explanation: developing reference emission levels,
Global dimming is the gradual reduction in designing measurement, reporting and
the amount of global direct irradiance at verification systems, and setting up
the surface of the Earth. It is a concept that national REDD+ management
has been observed since systematic arrangements, including proper
measurements began in the 1950s. environmental and social safeguards.
Global dimming, surprisingly, has an Current funding: $400 million.
opposite effect to global warming, as it • The FCPF Carbon Fund pilots’ results-
produces cooling effects, so in essence, based payments to the countries that
global dimming is beneficial to the have advanced through REDD+
RAUSIAS-0256 13
readiness and implementation, and • Appendix III is a list of the species

have achieved verifiable emission included at the request of a Party that
reductions in their forest and broader already regulates trade in the species
land-use sectors. Current funding: $900 and that needs the cooperation of other
million. countries to prevent unsustainable or
illegal exploitation.
35. Answer: (b)
Explanation: 36. Answer: (a)
The Convention on International Trade in Explanation:
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and The Basel Convention: It aims at
Flora (CITES) is an international agreement protecting human health and environment
to which the States and the regional against adverse effects of hazardous
economic integration organizations adhere wastes. Its scope of application covers a
voluntarily. The States that have agreed to wide range of wastes defined as “hazardous
be bound by the Convention are known as wastes”, based on their origin and/or
the Parties. It provides a framework to be composition and their characteristics, as
respected by each Party, which must adopt well as two types of wastes defined as
its own domestic legislation to ensure that “other wastes” - household waste and
CITES is implemented at the national level. incinerator ash.
It has a membership of 183. India and the Convention:
Functioning of CITES: India ratified the Basel Convention in 1992.
India has been taking measures for the
 CITES works by subjecting
effective management of hazardous wastes
international trade in specimens of
and thereby meeting the obligations of the
selected species to certain controls. All
Basel Convention.
import, export, re-export and
introduction from the sea of the species Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management
and Transboundary Movement) Rules,
covered by the Convention must be
2016, were notified to ensure safe
authorized through a licensing system.
handling, processing, treatment, storage,
 Each Party to the Convention must collection, transportation, collection and
designate one or more Management disposal of the hazardous waste.
Authorities in charge of administering
The Rotterdam Convention:
that licensing system and one or more
‘The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior
Scientific Authorities to advise them on
Informed Consent Procedure for Certain
the effects of trade on the status of the
Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in
species.
International Trade’ is a multilateral
 Species covered by CITES are listed in agreement. The Agreement provides
three Appendices, according to the obligations on the import and export of
degree of protection they need. certain hazardous chemicals.
• Appendix I includes the species The Prior Informed Consent (PIC): It is a
threatened with extinction. Trade in
mechanism for formally obtaining and
the specimens of these species is
disseminating the decisions of the
permitted only in exceptional
importing Parties as to whether they wish
circumstances.
to receive future shipments of those
• Appendix II includes the species not chemicals listed in Annexure III of the
necessarily threatened with extinction, Convention and for ensuring compliance
but in which trade must be controlled with these decisions by the exporting
to avoid utilization incompatible with Parties.
their survival.
RAUSIAS-0256 14
The Stockholm Convention on remarkable 34% of all Rhododendron

Persistent Organic Pollutants: It is a species.
global treaty to protect human health and  The Rhododendron genus is
the environment from chemicals that predominantly found in the Eastern
remain intact in the environment for long Himalayas, the Western Himalayas
periods (persistent), become widely and the Nilgiris regions.
distributed geographically (long range
 These plants have a wide distribution,
transport), accumulate in the fatty tissue of
occurring in temperate regions across
the humans and wildlife (bioaccumulation),
Asia, North America and Europe, as
and have harmful impacts on human
well as in the tropical areas of South-
health or the environment (toxic).
east Asia and Northern Australia.
 It is worth noting that they prefer
37. Answer: (d)
slightly acidic soil for optimal growth.
Explanation:
Kappaphycus Alvarezii:
38. Answer: (a)
 Kappaphycus Alvarezii, a rapidly
Explanation:
growing seaweed indigenous to
Indonesia and the Philippines, was Particulate Matter:
introduced to India in 1995 for  Particulate Matter (PM) is a
cultivation. comprehensive term encompassing a
 It is known for its ability to absorb a blend of solid particles and liquid
significant amount of nutrients from droplets present in the atmosphere.
seawater. Notably, it plays a crucial role  PM 10 signifies inhalable particles with
in the production of the economically diameters typically at or below 10
valuable polymer, Carrageenan. micrometres.
 Kappaphycus is red-listed on the  PM 2.5 represents fine inhalable
IUCN (The International Union for particles with diameters typically
Conservation of Nature)'s Global around 2.5 micrometres, which pose
Invasive Species Database, as a a greater health risk due to their
destructive invasive species, posing a ability to traverse the air and block
significant threat to the coral reefs. the minuscule lung pores.
 The cultivation of Kappaphycus in the  Predominant sources of Suspended
regions like the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Particulate Matter (SPM) include
Munnar has adverse effects on the coral vehicles, power plants, construction
reefs in those areas. sites, oil refineries, railway yards,
Rhododendrons: marketplaces and industries.
 Rhododendrons are well-known for their  According to the Central Pollution
vibrant, showy clusters of large flowers Control Board (CPCB), particulates
and are popular choices for ornamental measuring 2.5 µm or less in diameter
plantings in gardens and parks. (PM 2.5) have the most detrimental
 These plants can be evergreen or impact on human health, as they can
deciduous shrubs and small trees, be deeply inhaled, leading to breathing
characterized by woody stems and and respiratory issues, irritation,
broad, leathery leaves. inflammation and pneumoconiosis (a
 The Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas, lung disease stemming from dust
though covering just 0.3% of India's inhalation, characterized by
geographical area, are home to a inflammation, coughing and fibrosis).
RAUSIAS-0256 15
 Fugitive Particulate Matter denotes the  The Act grants the State Governments
Particulate Matter released into the the authority to designate the air
atmosphere without passing through a pollution areas where air pollution is a
stack (e.g., chimneys, pipes, vents or significant concern, allowing them to
ducts) before dissemination, propelled implement targeted pollution control
by forces like wind. measures.
 The primary source of Fugitive  In an Amendment to the Act in 1987,
Particulate Matter is the Earth's soil. ‘noise’ was added to the list of harmful
substances, acknowledging the impact
 The majority of particles are formed
of noise pollution on the environment
within the atmosphere through intricate
and public health.
chemical reactions involving pollutants,
such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen
40. Answer: (b)
oxides, originating from power plants,
industrial facilities and vehicles. Explanation:
 Natural sources include volcanic ash,  The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an
initiative by the Ministry of
pollen, yellow sand (Asian Dust) and sea
Environment, Forest and Climate
salt, while anthropogenic sources
Change, established as part of the
consist of soot, smog, fly ash and
Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.
chemical mists, among others.
 This Index is designed to support the
government's mission of promoting
39. Answer: (b) cleanliness culture, and enables the
Explanation: public to assess the air quality in their
The Air (Prevention and Control of vicinity.
Pollution) Act, 1981, is a legislative  The AQI is presented in a colour-
framework in India with the primary coded format and comprises six
objective of addressing air pollution. Some categories: Good; Satisfactory;
of its key goals and provisions include: Moderately Polluted; Poor; Very Poor;
 The Act is designed to regulate and and Severe.
mitigate air pollution by establishing  It measures the levels of eight key
measures to prevent and control it. pollutants, including particulate
matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen
 To enforce the law at both the federal
dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone,
and the state levels, the Act
carbon monoxide, ammonia and lead.
mandates the creation of specialized
bodies. The Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) and the State Pollution 41. Answer: (c)
Control Boards (SPCBs) are Explanation:
responsible for overseeing the The National Ambient Air Quality
implementation of air pollution Standards (NAAQS):
control measures.  The Central Pollution Control Board
 The Act sets specific limits on various (CPCB) exercises its authority granted
pollutants, including particulate matter, by the Air (Prevention and Control of
lead, Cadmium, carbon monoxide, Pollution) Act, 1981, to establish and
enforce these standards.
sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and
volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  The National Ambient Air Quality
These limits are enforced for sources, Standards (NAAQS) represent uniform
such as internal combustion engines, air quality benchmarks established by
the CPCB, applicable nationwide.
industries, vehicles and power plants.
RAUSIAS-0256 16
 These standards encompass 12 and their ability to forage and

different pollutants, including sulphur detect the predators.
dioxide; nitrogen dioxide; PM 10; PM o Additionally, the seasonal release of
2.5; ozone; lead; carbon monoxide; nutrients stored in the lake bed
ammonia; benzene; benzopyrene; sediment contributes to the
arsenic; and nickel. When the perpetuation of the eutrophication
monitoring data from two consecutive cycle.
days surpass the NAAQS-defined limits
for a specific category, it triggers the 43. Answer: (a)
initiation of regular or continuous
Explanation:
monitoring and further investigation.
The Bio-medical Waste Management
Rules, 2016:
42. Answer: (b)
 To enhance waste segregation at its
Explanation:
source, the classification of bio-medical
 Eutrophication is a process that can waste has been simplified from ten
occur naturally or due to human categories to four, each represented by
influence, characterized by an excessive a distinct colour code:
accumulation of nutrients, particularly o Red for plastic waste, such as
nitrogen and phosphorus, in the bodies
bottles and syringes.
of water.
o Yellow for infectious waste, like
 This nutrient surplus promotes the cotton, bandages and placentas.
rapid growth of algae and aquatic
o Blue for glass bottles, such as
plants, commonly referred to as an algal
discarded medicines.
bloom. As these algae die and
o Black for items like needles without
decompose, it results in oxygen
syringes and metal articles.
depletion within the water, leading to
hypoxia or even anoxic conditions.  Within two years, the use of
chlorinated plastic bags, gloves and
 Cultural eutrophication pertains to the
blood bags is to be phased out.
expedited eutrophication process
instigated by human activities. It arises  These Rules now encompass a broader
when human actions, such as scope, including vaccination camps,
agricultural runoff, sewage discharge blood donation camps, surgical camps
and industrial pollution, introduce and other healthcare activities.
excessive nutrients, primarily  Laboratory waste, microbiological
phosphorus and nitrogen, into the waste, blood samples and blood bags
water bodies. must undergo on-site disinfection or
o These added nutrients fuel the sterilization according to the WHO (The
proliferation of algae and excessive World Health Organization) or the
plant growth, leading to reduced NACO (The National Aids Control
oxygen levels, heightened water Organization) guidelines.
turbidity and disturbances in the  The State Governments are tasked with
aquatic ecosystems. providing land for the establishment of
o Elevated turbidity and reduced common bio-medical waste treatment
water clarity result in water and disposal facilities.
appearing cloudy, and taking on  No occupier can establish an on-site
green and brown hues, thereby treatment and disposal facility if a
impairing the visibility of the fish, common bio-medical waste treatment
RAUSIAS-0256 17
facility is available within a 75- o The Environment (Protection) Act,

kilometre radius. 1986.
 The new regulations establish more o The Public Liability Insurance Act,
rigorous incinerator standards to 1991.
reduce pollutant emissions into the o The Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
environment.  It is important to note that the NGT
 Emission limits for dioxin and furans does not have authority over the
are now included in the Rules. matters related to the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Forest
44. Answer: (b) Act, 1927, or various state-level laws
Explanation: pertaining to forests and tree
preservation.
 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is
a specialized tribunal established  Grievances arising from the
under the National Green Tribunal determination of benefit-sharing or
Act of 2010 (statutory body), orders issued by the National
dedicated to addressing and resolving Biodiversity Authority or a State
the environmental issues in India. It Biodiversity Board under the Biological
operates with a set of specific objectives, Diversity Act, 2002, can be addressed
including: by the National Green Tribunal.
o Facilitating the efficient and prompt

resolution of the cases related to 45. Answer: (b)
environmental protection, Explanation:
conservation of the forests and the  The United Nations Conference on
preservation of natural resources. Environment and Development
o Enforcing legal rights connected to (UNCED), also known as the 'Earth
the environmental concerns. Summit,' convened in Rio de Janeiro
o Providing relief and compensation (Brazil) in 1992.
for the damages to the individuals  This global conference, marking the
and property, resulting from the 20th anniversary of the initial Human
environmental issues. Environment Conference in Stockholm
 The NGT comprises three courts at its (Sweden) in 1972, gathered political
Main Bench, located in Delhi, and four leaders, diplomats, scientists,
Zonal Benches in the east, west, central representatives from the media and
and south regions, ensuring nationwide non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
coverage across all States and Union from 179 countries.
Territories.  During the Earth Summit, the UN
 The NGT has jurisdiction over a range of Framework Convention on Climate
environmental laws, including, but not Change (UNFCCC) was finalized. This
limited to: foundational agreement established the
o The Water (Prevention and Control principles and objectives for
of Pollution) Act, 1974. international climate action. It
recognized that the developing countries
o The Water (Prevention and Control
had fewer responsibilities and resources
of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977.
for reducing emissions, while the
o The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
developed countries committed to non-
o The Air (Prevention and Control of binding efforts to return to their 1990
Pollution) Act, 1981. emission levels by the year 2000.
RAUSIAS-0256 18
 Agenda 21 emerged as an outcome of extremely heavy rains and ice

the Earth Summit, organized by the avalanches.
United Nations in Rio de Janeiro in  In 2013, one such event took place in
1992. It is a non-binding action plan Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath, when the
designed to promote sustainable region witnessed flash floods along with
development. a GLOF caused by the Chorabari Tal
o The plan engaged various Glacial Lake.
stakeholders, including the local
and national governments, 47. Answer: (b)
businesses, international
Explanation:
organizations, citizen groups and
A ‘green drought’ is generally
non-governmental organizations. A
understood to mean a period when there
decade later, the international
is limited rainfall due to which there is
community reconvened at the World
growth of new plants, but the growth is
Summit on Sustainable
insubstantial. During this, the vegetation
Development to review the progress
may appear green on the top, but there is
and foster global partnerships for
stunted growth and soil moisture stress for
the implementation of Agenda 21.
more than a month, impacting the yield
o India is a signatory to Agenda 21
drastically.
and has worked to align various
aspects of its development
infrastructure, including energy, 48. Answer: (c)
transportation, industry, water Explanation:
resources, climate change policy, Phonotaxis is a behaviour exhibited by
forestry, biodiversity, ecosystems, certain organisms in response to sound
marine and coastal management, stimuli. It refers to their capacity to detect
land policy, agriculture, urban and move towards or away from a specific
governance and human resource sound or a signal.
development, in accordance with its
principles.
46. Answer: (c)

Explanation:
 Glacial lakes are large bodies of water
that sit in front of, on top of, or beneath
a melting glacier. As they grow larger,
they become more dangerous, because
glacial lakes are mostly dammed by
unstable ice or sediments composed of
There are two types of phonotaxis:
loose rocks and debris. In case the
 Positive phonotaxis: Its purpose is
boundary around them breaks, huge
attraction, and it usually happens when
amounts of water rush down the side of
the females of a particular species
the mountains, which could cause
(crickets, moths, frogs etc.) are attracted
flooding in the downstream areas. This
to the sounds made by the males, for
is called a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
mating purposes.
or GLOF.
 Negative phonotaxis: Serves to repel or
 The GLOF can be triggered by several
warn, it is a survival mechanism that
reasons, including earthquakes,
RAUSIAS-0256 19
helps the organisms avoid potentially belonging to all the known mammalian
dangerous situations or stimuli in their orders fluoresced in some way.
environment.
52. Answer: (b)
49. Answer: (d) Explanation:
Explanation: About the Siachen Glacier:
About the Ken Betwa Link Project:  It is a piedmont glacier (glaciers located
 The Project involves the transfer of at the foot, or base, of the mountains) in
surplus water from the Ken river the Eastern Karakoram Range.
(Madhya Pradesh) to the Betwa river  It is 75 km (47 miles) long, which
(Uttar Pradesh), to the drought prone makes it the second longest non-
region of Bundelkhand. polar glacier in the world, after the
 The link will be in the form of a canal, Fedchenko Glacier in Tajikistan.
that will be fed by the new Daudhan  The glacier lies between the Saltoro
dam on the Ken river, to be built Ridge immediately to the west and the
within the Panna Tiger Reserve. main Karakoram Range to the east.
 It is the highest militarized zone in the
50. Answer: (a) world.
Explanation:  Operation Meghdoot (1984), a military
Estivation is a situation when the operation, gave India control over all of
animals are dormant because the the Siachen Glacier, including its
weather conditions are very hot and dry. tributaries.
Their breathing rate, heart rate and  The region is home to rare species,
metabolic rate decrease to conserve energy including snow leopard, brown bear
under these harsh conditions. and ibex, that are at risk because of the
military presence.
51. Answer: (c)
Explanation: 53. Answer: (c)
 Fluorescence: When an object absorbs Explanation:
some light of higher energy (like blue  Krill are small crustaceans found
colour) and releases it at lower energy throughout the ocean. They play an
(like red colour). important role in the aquatic food
 It usually happens when an electron chain, particularly in the Southern
absorbs a photon, or a particle of light, Ocean.
jumps to a higher energy level, before  The Antarctic Krill provide a vital food
releasing that energy and jumping back source for the whales, seals, ice fish
down. and penguins.
 Fluorescence has many applications.  For their own meals, the Antarctic Krill
The fluorescent lamp uses an electric eat small plants, like phytoplankton, as
discharge to bombard a material with well as algae under the surface of sea
UV light. The material absorbs it and ice.
re-emits it as visible light.
 Krill have the ability to shrink their
 More curiously, the scientists have been bodies and undergo long periods of
finding that the bodies of many starvation.
mammals also fluoresce. A recent study
 Krill travel in swarms so dense they can
reported that the bodies of the animals actually be seen from the space.
RAUSIAS-0256 20
 The Antarctic Krill (and other krill 56. Answer: (d)

species) are bioluminescent, meaning Explanation:
they produce light. Conocarpus is an evergreen and exotic
mangrove species, with dark-green shiny
54. Answer: (b) leaves. It is a fast-growing species which is
Explanation: reported to be not palatable to wild
 After the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) herbivores or domesticated animals.
Gujarat State Government has banned
in West Champaran district, Bihar is
its “plantation in forest or non-forest
set to get a second Tiger Reserve in
Kaimur district (The Kaimur Wildlife area”, underlining its “adverse impacts
on the environment and human health”.
Sanctuary) by the end of the year, or
early 2024.
 In 2022, the maximum number of 57. Answer: (b)
tigers, 785, were reported to be in Explanation:
Madhya Pradesh, followed by Karnataka ● The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment
(563), Uttarakhand (560) and Act, 2022, amended the Wildlife
Maharashtra (444). (Protection) Act of 1972.
 The Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger ● The Amended Act:
Reserve is the largest Tiger Reserve in ○ aims to implement the Convention
India, and is situated at the Andhra on International Trade in
Pradesh – Telangana border. Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES);
55. Answer: (b) ○ increases the number of species
Explanation: protected under the law;
 The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a ○ empowers the Central Government
Biosphere Reserve in the Nilgiri to regulate or prohibit the import,
mountains of the Western Ghats in trade, possession or proliferation of
South India. It is the largest invasive alien species;
protected forest area in India, ○ provides for any person to
spreading across Tamil Nadu, voluntarily surrender any captive
Karnataka and Kerala. It is India's first animals or animal products to the
Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's Chief Wildlife Warden. No
Man and the Biosphere (MAB) compensation will be paid to the
Programme. person for surrendering such
 The Mukurthi National Park (MNP) is a items;
protected area located in the western ○ reduces the number of Schedules
corner of the Nilgiris Plateau, west of in the Act from 6 earlier to 4
Ootacamund hill station in the north- Schedules. Inserts a new Schedule
west corner of Tamil Nadu State in the for specimens listed in the
Western Ghats mountain range of Appendices under CITES
South India. The Park was created to (scheduled specimens);
protect its keystone species, the Nilgiri ○ empowers the Central Government
Tahr. to also notify a Conservation
 Tamil Nadu has 5 Tiger Reserves: Reserve; and
Kalakad Mundanthurai; Anamalai; ○ prescribes imprisonment terms and
Mudumalai; Sathyamangalam; and increases fines for violating the
Srivilliputhur Megamalai. provisions of the Act.
RAUSIAS-0256 21
58. Answer: (c) Sensitive Zones (ESZs). It recommended

Explanation: that “no new dams, based on large-scale
● The 6th Assessment Report of the storage, be permitted in ESZ 1”.
United Nations Intergovernmental Panel ● It suggested that the development
on Climate Change (IPCC) is a series of activity needs to be decided through a
reports that assess scientific, technical participatory process, involving the
and socio-economic information Gram Sabhas in these zones.
concerning climate change. ● It recommended the establishment of
● Important findings of the Report: a Western Ghats Ecology Authority, as a
statutory authority, under the Ministry
○ The probable temperature rise is in
of Environment and Forests, with the
the middle of the scenario spectrum
powers under the Environment
that ranges from 1.5°C to 5°C, at
(Protection) Act, 1986.
about 3°C at the end of the century.
The global temperatures are
expected to reach 1.5°C above the 60. Answer: (d)
pre-industrial levels by 2040. Explanation:
○ The global surface temperature was Coral bleaching is a stress response that
around 1.1°C above 1850–1900 in occurs when the coral-algae relationship
2011–2020, with larger increases breaks down. The reasons include:
over land (1.59 °C), than over the ● Increase in seawater temperature. (For
ocean (0.88°C). example, the El Niño events lead to an
○ Observed that the warming is increased ocean temperature and this
human-caused, with warming from thermal stress can trigger a
greenhouse gases (GHG), dominated catastrophic mass coral bleaching).
by CO2 and methane (CH4), partly ● Elevated levels of solar irradiance:
masked by aerosol cooling. Changes in the tropical weather
○ Losses and damages will patterns result in less cloud cover and
disproportionately affect the poorest more radiation that may induce coral
and the most vulnerable bleaching.
populations, particularly those in ● Change in the seawater chemistry
Africa and the least-developed (For example, due to ocean
countries, creating more poverty. acidification or chemical pollution).
○ Climate finance for mitigation falls ● Increment in the levels of sediment
short of the levels needed to limit in the seawater or a coral’s exposure
warming to below 2°C or to 1.5°C to sodium cyanide (a chemical used in
across all sectors and regions. the capture of coral reef fish).
● The tropical cyclones generate large
waves that physically damage the
59. Answer: (c)
coral communities. Associated storms
Explanation: and floods generate substantial
● The Western Ghats Ecology Expert amounts of debris and pollution which
Panel Report, popular as the Madhav further damage coral reefs.
Gadgil Committee Report, had ● Deep water trawling, which involves
designated the entire Western Ghat dragging fishing nets along the sea
hill range as an Ecologically Sensitive bottom, damages coral reefs.
Area.
● Significant marine tourism and
● It classified 142 taluks in the Western recreational use by the humans can
Ghats boundary into three Ecologically lead to bleaching.
RAUSIAS-0256 22
61. Answer: (c) ○ It is used as a rationale for

Explanation: compensation purposes. For
● Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) is a example, Finance Commissions
Horizontal revenue sharing.
global initiative to fight against
climate change through community ○ It helps in the assessment of the
engagement and lifestyle state of stress created by the
modification. anthropogenic factors on the
ecosystems and the natural
● The concept was introduced by India at
systems.
COP26 in Glasgow in in 2021. The goal
● Uttarakhand is the first state in India to
of LiFE is to mobilize at least one billion
measure the GEP for quantifying
people to take action to protect the
ecological growth measurement.
environment between 2022-23 and
2027-28.
● It aims to focus on ‘mindful and 63. Answer: (b)
deliberate utilization’ (circular Explanation:
economy), instead of ‘mindless and ● Phytoremediation is defined as the
wasteful consumption’ (use-and-dispose use of green plants and associated
economy). micro-organisms, along with proper
● It plans to create and nurture a global soil amendments and agronomic
network of individuals, namely the ‘Pro- techniques, to contain or clean up
Planet People’ (P3), who will have a contaminated environments, like
soil, air and water. This is done by
shared commitment to adopt and
utilizing the plants’ natural abilities to
promote environmentally friendly
take up, accumulate, and/or degrade
lifestyles.
constituents of their soil and water
environments.
62. Answer: (c)
● Major advantages, as compared to the
Explanation: traditional remediation technologies,
● The Gross Environment Product (GEP) include lower costs, the possibility of
reflects the aggregated annual value of generating less secondary wastes,
goods and services provided by the minimal associated environmental
ecosystems (forests, water bodies, disturbance and the ability to leave soils
oceans, etc.) to the people in a given in place and in a usable condition
region. following treatment.
● It can be measured in terms of ● Cited disadvantages include the long
biophysical value and subsequent lengths of time required (usually several
monetary translation. growing seasons), limited to surface
● In some cases, the GEP can be more area and depth occupied by roots (3 feet
than the GDP (The Gross Domestic for soil and 10 feet for groundwater),
and the possibility of contaminant
Product). For instance, in 2000,
entrance into the food chain through
Qinghai's (China) GEP was greater than
animal consumption of the plant
the GDP and was three-fourths as large
material.
as the GDP in 2015.
● Significance:
64. Answer: (b)
○ It can measure the ecological status
Explanation:
of a region and is one of the
components of Green GDP. Types of hydrogen:
○ It helps to gauge progress towards ● Black hydrogen is produced by the use
sustainable development. of fossil fuels.
RAUSIAS-0256 23
● Pink hydrogen is produced through ● Bio-CNG contains about 92-98% of

electrolysis, but using energy from methane and only 2-8% carbon
the nuclear power sources, which dioxide.
does not produce any carbon dioxide ● The calorific value of Bio-CNG is about
emissions. 52,000 kilojoules per kg, which is
● Brown hydrogen is produced using 167% higher than that of biogas. Its
coal, where the emissions are released calorific value is similar to that of the
to the air. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Hence,
● Grey hydrogen is produced Bio-CNG can replace CNG in industries,
from natural gas, where the automobiles, domestic and commercial
associated emissions are released to the use.
air. ● Benefits: Cost-effective, helps in
● Blue hydrogen is produced from reducing fossil fuel import, responsible
natural gas, where the carbon emissions waste management, reduction in carbon
are captured and stored underground emissions and pollution, additional
through industrial carbon capture and revenue source for the farmers.
storage (CSS).
● Green hydrogen is a zero-carbon fuel 66. Answer: (b)
made by electrolysis using renewable Explanation:
power from wind and solar energy to The Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is an
split water into hydrogen and oxygen. initiative taken by India as the G20
● Yellow hydrogen is made through the Chair. India, along with the leaders of
electrolysis of water using solar power. Singapore, Bangladesh, Italy, the USA,
● Turquoise hydrogen is produced from Brazil, Argentina, Mauritius and the
methane pyrolysis, or splitting UAE, launched the Global Biofuel
methane into hydrogen and solid Alliance in September, 2023, on the
carbon with heat in the reactors or side-lines of the G20 Summit in New
blast furnaces. Delhi.
The Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is an
65. Answer: (b) initiative by India as the G20 Chair. The
Explanation: Alliance intends to expedite the global
uptake of biofuels through facilitating
● Compressed Biogas or Bio-CNG is an
technology advancements, intensifying
advanced version of biogas produced
utilization of sustainable biofuels, shaping
from agricultural residues, animal
robust standard setting and certification
dung, food waste, municipal solid waste
through the participation of a wide
(MSW) and sewage water.
spectrum of the stakeholders.
○ Biogas is produced through a
The Alliance will also act as a Central
process of anaerobic decomposition
Repository of knowledge and an expert
from waste/biomass sources, like
hub. The GBA aims to serve as a catalytic
agriculture residue, cattle dung,
platform, fostering global collaboration for
sugarcane press mud, municipal
the advancement and widespread adoption
solid waste, sewage treatment plant
of biofuels. It is an alliance of the
waste, etc.
governments, international organizations
○ Biogas is purified to remove
and industry to facilitate adoption of
hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide
biofuels.
and water vapour, and thereafter
compressed as Bio-CNG.
RAUSIAS-0256 24
67. Answer: (c) degrees C (3.6 degrees F) and ideally 1.5

Explanation: degrees C (2.7 degrees F), and
The Global Stocktake Report, the synthesis identifying the opportunities for
additional emissions cuts.
report ties into a larger exercise called the
‘Global Stocktake’, that is expected to take  Adaptation: Measuring the progress in
place once in five years. the countries’ abilities to enhance their
resilience and reduce vulnerability to
The Global Stocktake was established
climate impacts.
under Article 14 of the Paris Agreement.
 Means of implementation, including
The Global Stocktake is designed to assess
finance, technology transfer and
the collective progress towards achieving
capacity building: Assessing the
the purpose of the Paris Agreement and its
progress on aligning financial flows with
long-term goals.
emissions-reduction goals and climate-
The Global Stocktake is intended to resilient development, and providing
evaluate the progress on climate action at support to the developing nations to
the global level, not the national level, and address the climate crisis.
identify overall gaps to achieve the Paris
Agreement, as well as the opportunities to
68. Answer: (a)
bridge them.
Explanation:
It was initiated in Glasgow in 2021. The
The Stump-Tailed Macaque, also called
first-ever Global Stocktake will conclude at
the Bear Macaque, is a species
the Annual Climate Talks (COP28) in Dubai
of macaque native to South
in November-December, 2023. Asia and South-east Asia. In India, it is
While the countries have laid out their found in the evergreen forests in South
Nationally Determined Contributions Asia, including parts of North-east India, in
(NDCs), they are expected to, but not the forests south of the Brahmaputra. Its
obliged to, increase their ambitions every range in India extends
five years. While the latest NDCs were from Assam and Meghalaya to eastern
submitted in 2020, a Stocktake also aims Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur,
to push the countries to set higher targets Mizoram and Tripura.
before the next NDCs are publicised in It is primarily frugivorous, but eats many
2025. types of vegetation, such as seeds, leaves
In the Paris Agreement, the Parties agreed and roots, and it also hunts freshwater
that the Stocktake should inform the crabs, frogs, bird eggs and insects.
countries in updating and enhancing their The Stump-Tailed Macaque has long, thick,
climate actions and support, and in dark brown fur covering its body, but its
strengthening the international cooperation face and its short tail are hairless. The
for climate action. It should also inform the infants are born white and darken as they
countries’ new climate plans (known as the mature. As they age, their bright pink or
red faces darken to brown or nearly black
“Nationally Determined Contributions,” or
and lose most of their hair. The males are
the NDCs), which will be fully updated next
larger than the females.
in 2025.
It is listed as ‘vulnerable’ on
At COP24 in Katowice (Poland) in 2018, the
the IUCN (The International Union for
countries agreed that the Global Stocktake
Conservation of Nature) Red List of
would address the climate progress in three Species. It is given legal protection
key areas: under Schedule II of the Wildlife
 Mitigation: Evaluating global efforts to (Protection) Act, 1972.
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
keep global temperature rise below 2
RAUSIAS-0256 25
69. Answer: (c) between the males and the females, often
Explanation: engaging in duets as a component of their
The Hoolock Gibbon, a member of the territorial conduct.
family Hylobatidae, is a primate species, The Western Hoolock Gibbon has been
classified as the “lesser apes,”. It is classified as an ‘endangered’ species
distributed over several regions of South according to the Red List of the
Asia, with a primary presence seen in International Union for Conservation of
India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Nature (IUCN). The species is classified
The Western Hoolock Gibbons have a under Schedule 1 of India’s Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972, therefore granting
distinctive physical appearance
them the highest degree of legal protection
characterized by a fur coat, that is black or
in India.
dark brown in colour, accompanied by a
white facial ring and prominent eyebrows.
Both the males and the females exhibit 70. Answer: (b)
comparable physical characteristics, Explanation:
however the males tend to possess The Tampara Lake is a natural
somewhat greater dimensions, in freshwater lake in Odisha. The wetland is
comparison to the females. an important habitat for vulnerable
The Western Hoolock Gibbons inhabit species, such as Cyprinus Carpio, Common
many forest ecosystems, include the Pochard and River Tern (Sterna Aurantia).
tropical rainforests, the sub-tropical woods Tampara is placed in the Wetland Atlas,
and the mixed deciduous forests. These prepared by the Ministry of Environment,
organisms reside inside the upper-most Forest and Climate Change in 2010, and
levels of the tree canopy and have a strong also in the Ramsar Sites.
preference for arboreal habitats, with
seldom terrestrial activity. 71. Answer: (a)
The geographical distribution of the Explanation:
Western Hoolock Gibbon encompasses The endemic species of the Western
several regions in the North-eastern India, Ghats are:
Northern and Western Myanmar (Burma),
 The Malabar Grey Hornbill;
as well as Southern China. The range of
 The Malabar Parakeet;
this species in India encompasses many
states, including Assam, Arunachal  The Ashambu laughingthrush; and
Pradesh and Nagaland.  The White-Bellied Sholakili.
The Gibbons are renowned for their The endemic species of the Andaman
noteworthy vocalizations, which serve as and Nicobar Islands are:
vital mechanisms for demarcating the  The Nicobar Megapode;
territory and fostering social unity among  The Nicobar Serpent Eagle;
their groups. It is well recognized that they  The Andaman Crake; and
have the ability to generate musical
 The Andaman Barn Owl.
compositions that possess the capacity to
propagate audibly over considerable
distances. 72. Answer: (c)
The Gibbons have a mostly frugivorous Explanation:
diet, including a diverse range of fruits, The world’s largest reserves of phosphorus
leaves, and sometimes, insects. are in Morocco and the Western Sahara
The social organization of this species is region. India was the world’s largest
centred on strong pair ties established importer of phosphorus in 2021.
RAUSIAS-0256 26
India is the world’s largest importer of and batteries. It is mined from the ores of
phosphorus, primarily from cadmium- Petalite, Lepidolite, Spodumene and also
laden deposits in West Africa in 2021. sub-surface brines.
A small fraction of mined phosphorus is
utilized in food production, while a 75. Answer: (a)
substantial quantity is lost to the water Explanation:
bodies through agricultural runoff. The
'Ecomark Certificate’ means a certificate
majority of phosphorus, consumed by the
issued under the Ecomark Rules by the
humans, ultimately finds its way into the
administrator authorizing a person or a
sewage systems and the worsening
body of persons to mark its product with
environmental issues, such as algal blooms
the Ecomark. The Central Pollution Control
and fish deaths.
Board (CPCB) is the administrator of the
Ecomark Certification Rules, 2023.
Objectives of the Ecomark Rules, 2023:
73. Answer: (c) 1. The Ecomark Rules are intended to
Explanation: encourage the demand for environment-
Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6): friendly products that cause lesser
 Sulphur Hexafluoride is a stable adverse impacts on the environment,
colourless, odourless, synthetic thereby supporting the principles of
fluorinated gas that makes effective ‘LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)’,
insulating material for medium and promoting resource efficiency and
high voltage electrical installations. circular economy, and preventing
 Around 80% of SF6 is used globally in misleading information on the
electricity transmission and distribution environmental aspects of the products.
for insulating live electrical parts, and 2. The overall objectives of the Ecomark
to switch the flow of electrical current Rules are as follows:
on and off. (a) To build consumer awareness on
 It is the strongest known greenhouse environmental issues and of the
gas with a global warming potential implications of their choices, thereby
(GWP) of 25,200 in a 100-year generating a change towards more
perspective and atmospheric life-time of environment-friendly behaviour and
3,200 years. consumption patterns;
 It is also known to contribute to (b) To encourage the manufacturers for
stratospheric ozone depletion. transitioning to production of
 It is a man-made chemical, with no Ecomark certified products; and
known natural sources of SF₆ on the (c) To prevent misleading and deceptive
Earth. information with respect to
 The magnesium industry commonly fraudulent use of the Ecomark label.
uses Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF₆) to
prevent the rapid oxidation and burning 76. Answer: (d)
that occurs when the molten metal Explanation:
directly contacts the air. In 2000, the Economic and Social
Council of the United Nations
74. Answer: (b) (ECOSOC), established the United
Explanation: Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), a
Lithium is an element valuable for the subsidiary body with the main objective to
production of glass, aluminum products promote “… the management, conservation
RAUSIAS-0256 27
and sustainable development of all types of low winding issues. These fans do not
forests and to strengthen long-term get overheated.
political commitment to this end…”, based 3. The carbon brushes are absent from the
on the Rio Declaration, the Forest rotor and the stator of the BLDC fan.
Principles, Chapter 11 of Agenda 21 and Hence, there is no hidden maintenance
the outcome of the Intergovernmental Panel cost involved in the replacement of
on Forests (IPF) Processes and other key brushes.
milestones of the international forest policy. 4. The BLDC fans maintain high torque to
The Forum has a universal membership secure high-quality performance.
and is composed of all member states of 5. An induction motor has brushes that
the United Nations and specialized create friction, which creates noise. A
agencies. BLDC fan has zero friction, hence
creating minimal noise.
77. Answer: (b) 6. The BLDC motors comprise electronic
Explanation: control systems. That promotes fewer
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is a possibilities of collapse because of wear
statutory body, created under the Energy and tear. An induction motor fan has a
Conservation Act, 2001. mechanical commutation unit.
The BEE has mandated the mandatory Disadvantages of the BLDC fans:
star-labelling of all ceiling fans in India 1. The BLDC fans are expensive, as
from 2023. compared to an induction motor fan.
Brushless Direct Current (BLDC): A BLDC The setup comprises an electronic
motor converts electric energy to controller in the BLDC. An ordinary fan
mechanical energy. It is energy efficient motor has an inexpensive mechanical
and helps in cost-cutting over electricity commutation system.
bills. A ‘brushless direct current’ (BLDC) 2. The BLDC fans produce minimal
motor functions on ‘direct-current’ (DC) vibrations at low voltage, which causes
electricity. The BLDC motors contain resonance. But, it is adjustable.
permanent magnets, rather than 3. The BLDC technology is new to fans,
electromagnets used in the induction and it is difficult to find an experienced
motors. technician to install them.
The permanent magnet contains less heat 4. Because of the presence of an electronic
loss and energy, as compared to control unit that links to
electromagnets. A BLDC motor converts electromagnets, the BLDC motor has
‘alternating current’ (AC) into ‘direct complicated wiring to install.
current’ (DC). That works at power
fluctuations and on low voltage. The BLDC
78. Answer: (c)
fan technology in Energion Stylus helps
Explanation:
save energy and makes the living room
more stylish and aesthetic Vitrimers are a class of plastics which are
derived from thermosetting polymers
Advantages of the BLDC fans:
(thermosets) and are very similar to them.
1. Traditional ceiling fans run on AC
Vitrimers consist of molecular, covalent
motors. Yet, the fans with the BLDC
networks, which can change their topology
technology use brushless DC engines,
by thermally activated bond-exchange
that cut power consumption by 65%.
reactions.
2. The BLDC winding has thick copper
Vitrimers are a type of polymers that can
cables to ensure a longer lifespan with
be reshaped, reprocessed and repaired
RAUSIAS-0256 28
multiple times without losing their Marine Iguana, Albatrosses, Cormorants

properties or performance. This is because and other species, some of which are
the dynamic covalent bonds in vitrimers ‘endangered’.
can break and reform in response to The youngest of all oceanic archipelagos,
external stimuli, such as heat, light or the Galapagos Islands, are situated atop
chemical triggers. This unique property three major tectonic plates -- the Nazca, the
makes vitrimers highly versatile and Cocos and the Pacific. This makes the
desirable for a wide range of applications in islands one of the most volcanically active
various fields, including automotive, areas in the world. There are 13 active
aerospace, electronics, packaging and volcanoes there, and eruptions have
coatings. occurred as recently as 2018.
One of the key advantages of vitrimers is
their ability to be recycled and reprocessed, 80. Answer: (b)
thus reducing waste and promoting
Explanation:
sustainability.
Recently, the citizens and the
environmental activists have expressed
79. Answer: (d) concern over the thick layer of (toxic) foam
Explanation: seen on the Pavana river, near the Kejudevi
Recently, new coral reefs have been temple in Thergaon (Maharashtra).
discovered in Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. The Pavana river originates from
The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago the Western Ghats, about 6 km south of
in the Republic of Ecuador, that made it to Lonavala. Flowing eastwards initially, it
the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in becomes south-bound and passes through
1978. The Galapagos Islands and Quito the suburbs
(both in Ecuador) were the first ever of Ravet, Thergaon, Chinchwad, Pimpri and
designated UNESCO sites. Dapodi, before its confluence with the Mula
The Galapagos Islands are situated in the river near Sangvi. It is a tributary of the
Pacific Ocean, some 1,000 km from the Bhima river.
South American continent. These 19
islands, and the surrounding marine 81. Answer: (a)
reserve, have been called a unique ‘living Explanation:
museum and showcase of evolution’.
Recently, white hydrogen reserves have
It is located at the confluence of three been discovered in France.
ocean currents, the Humboldt Current, the
White hydrogen is a naturally occurring,
Panama Flow and the Cromwell Current.
geological hydrogen found within the
This is what makes it one of the richest
Earth’s crust and created through
marine ecosystems in the world.
fracking. It is also known as "natural,"
The Galapagos Islands are home to "gold," or "geologic" hydrogen.
Darwin’s Finches, a group of close to 18
Properties of White Hydrogen:
species of perching birds named after
 Causes no CO2 emissions.
Charles Darwin, that can be distinguished
by their diverse beak shapes and sizes. A  Is compatible with existing
unique one among them is the Vampire infrastructure and technologies or
Finch. When food is scarce, the Vampire hydrogen production and utilization.
Finch pecks at the skin of other birds with  Is cheaper and more efficient than
its sharp beak and drinks their blood. steam reforming or electrolysis.
It is also home to the giant tortoises,  Is abundant and renewable in nature
RAUSIAS-0256 29
Pink hydrogen is generated through Tiger; panther; the Jungle cat; hyena;
electrolysis powered by nuclear energy. jackal; fox; wild dog; the Sloth bear; ratel;
Nuclear-produced hydrogen can also be wild pig; hare; porcupine; mongoose; otter;
referred to as ‘purple hydrogen’ or ‘red sambar; chital; the Gaur barking deer; the
hydrogen’. Blue bull; the Four-horned antelope; the
common langur; and the Rhesus macaque.
82. Answer: (a)

84. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Explanation:
Candolleomyces Albosquamosus, a new
Recently, the Amur falcons, world’s longest
species of mushroom, has been found in
flying migratory birds, began to arrive in
the Western Ghats in Kerala. This
Manipur.
delicate mushroom showcases a
charming honey-yellow cap with The Amur falcon breeds in Siberia and
Northern China, and migrates in the
distinctive white woolly scale-like
winters to Southern Africa. It migrates west
structures. It thrives on dead logs and
through India and across the Arabian Sea
bamboo culms within the natural forest
to Southern Africa. It is protected under
habitat. The ‘stipe’ – the stem or stalk of
India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972,
the mushroom – is white in colour and
and included under Schedule IV of the
cylindrical.
said Act. It usually arrives in many parts
of north-east India, including the
83. Answer: (b) Tamenglong district.
Explanation: It is listed as ‘least concern’ under the
The Melghat Tiger Reserve is located on the International Union for Conservation of
southern offshoot of the Satpura Hill Range Nature (IUCN)’s Red List.
in Central India, called the Gavilgarh Hill,
in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is one 85. Answer: (b)
of the 9 Project Tiger declared initially in Explanation:
1973 by the Government of India. The area Recently, the Food and Agriculture
is drained by the Khandu, the Khapra, Organization (FAO)’s report outlined
the Sipna, the Gadga and the Dolar sustainable ways to deal with livestock
rivers, which are the tributaries of the methane emissions.
Tapti river. Geologically, the area is Methane is a short-lived greenhouse gas
classified as a trap with underlying basalt. (GHG), which has an atmospheric
It is a prime habitat of the tiger. The forest lifetime of around 12 years, as against
is tropical dry deciduous in nature, the dominant GHG carbon dioxide,
dominated by Teak Tectona Grandis. The which affects the climate for hundreds
Melghat Tiger Reserve is predominately of years. However, methane is more than
inhabited by the Korku tribes. The Korkus, 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide at
trapping heat in the atmosphere.
the Nihals and the Gaolis have their own
tradition of indigenous ethno botanical Methane is the primary contributor to the
knowledge. The Gotras of the Korkus are formation of ground-level ozone, a
seen to have been named after the trees, hazardous air pollutant and greenhouse
gas, exposure to which causes 1 million
e.g., Jamunkar, Semalkar etc., which goes
premature deaths every year.
to prove the integration of their culture
with nature. Agriculture is the predominant source of
methane emission, and rice is the most
There is a considerable faunal diversity,
important anthropogenic source of
and the important wild animals include:
methane.
RAUSIAS-0256 30
86. Answer: (b) becoming a source of income, as any

Explanation: surplus power they generate can be sold
The Pygmy Hog is the smallest and the back to the grid.
rarest wild suid in the world. The species
was historically known from only a few 88. Answer: (d)
locations in northern West Bengal and Explanation:
north-western Assam in India, though it In 2022, Blue Dart signed the UNFCCC
is now believed likely to have occurred (The United Nations Framework
in an extensive area of tall, alluvial Convention on Climate Change
grasslands south of the Himalayan Climate)’s Neutral Now pledge.
foothills from north-western Uttar
The Climate Neutral Now Initiative is
Pradesh and southern Nepal to Assam,
one of several initiatives launched by
possibly as far as southern Bhutan. It is
the UNFCCC secretariat to increase
one of the very few mammals that builds its
climate action by engaging the non-Party
own home, or nest, complete with a roof.
stakeholders (sub-national governments,
The IUCN has listed the Pygmy Hogs as companies, organizations and individuals).
‘critically endangered’. It is also listed in It was launched in 2015, based on a
Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) mandate to promote the voluntary use of
Act, 1972. It is listed in Appendix 1 of the carbon market mechanisms recognized
Convention on International Trade in under the Convention.
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
The Climate Neutral Now Initiative
Flora (CITES). The main threats to the
encourages and supports the
survival of the Pygmy Hog are loss and
organizations to act now, in order to
degradation of habitat due to human
achieve a climate neutral world by 2050,
settlements, agricultural encroachments,
as enshrined in the Paris Agreement. It is
flood control schemes and traditional
a tool to promote additional voluntary
forestry management practices.
action on climate and to provide
recognition for it.
87. Answer: (d)
Explanation: 89. Answer: (c)
Khonoma is the first ‘Green Village’ in Explanation:
Asia. With its naturally blessed resources,
The Nalsarovar Wetland in Gujarat is the
intriguing history and rich culture, the
largest natural wetland in the Thar Desert
village is one of the most visited places in
Biogeographic Province. It is an important
Nagaland.
stopover site within the Central Asia
Mana, a village located at the Indo-China Flyway, with the globally-threatened
border in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, species, such as the ‘critically endangered’
was previously known as the ‘Last Indian Sociable Lapwing. It is also a lifeline for a
Village’, but will now be referred to as the satellite population of the ‘endangered’
‘First Indian Village’. Indian Wild Ass.
The Chief Minister of Goa has released the Tso Moriri is a lake in the Changthang
Biodiversity Atlas of Mayem in North Goa, Plateau of Ladakh in India, a freshwater to
which is India’s First Village Atlas. brackish lake lying at 4,595 m above the
Modhera, in Gujarat state, is India’s first sea level. The site is said to represent the
village to be powered by solar all day, only breeding ground, outside of China, for
every day. The solar project not only helps one of the most endangered cranes, the
reduce the villagers’ energy bills, but is also Black-necked Crane, and the only breeding
RAUSIAS-0256 31
ground for the Bar-headed Geese in India. populations are considered to be at the
India has so far declared 75 Wetlands as greatest risk.
the Ramsar sites, covering 23 states and
Union Territories. (Upto March 2023). Both 92. Answer: (b)
Nalsarovar and Tso Moriri are under the Explanation:
Ramsar sites. ● The ocean’s water is constantly
circulated by the currents. The tidal
90. Answer: (b) currents occur close to the shore and
Explanation: are influenced by the Sun and the
Moon. The surface currents are
The Action for Climate Empowerment
influenced by the wind.
(ACE) is a term adopted by the UN
Framework Convention on Climate ● However, other, much slower
Change to denote work under Article 6 currents that occur from the surface
of the Convention and Article 12 of the to the seafloor, are driven by changes
Paris Agreement. in the saltiness and ocean
temperature, a process called
The over-arching goal of the ACE is to
thermohaline circulation. These
empower all members of the society to
currents are carried in a large "global
engage in climate action, through the
conveyor belt," which includes the
following ACE elements:
Atlantic Meridional Overturning
 Climate change education and public Circulation (AMOC).
awareness;
● The AMOC circulates water from north
 Training; to south and back in a long cycle within
 Public participation; the Atlantic Ocean. This circulation
 Public access to information; and brings warmth to various parts of the
 International cooperation on these globe, and also carries nutrients
issues. necessary to sustain ocean life.
● The circulation process begins as warm
water near the surface moves toward
91. Answer: (c)
the Poles (such as the Gulf Stream in
Explanation:
the North Atlantic), where it cools and
The Irrawaddy Dolphin is found in marine, forms sea ice. As this ice forms, salt is
brackish and freshwater environments left behind in the ocean water. Due to
throughout south-east Asia. The name is the large amount of salt in the water, it
derived from the first specimens that were becomes denser, sinks down, and is
described from the Ayeyarwady river in carried southwards in the depths below.
Myanmar. Eventually, the water gets pulled back
Small isolated freshwater populations of up towards the surface and warms up
the Irrawaddy Dolphins are found in the in a process called upwelling,
Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), the Mahakam completing the cycle.
(Indonesia) and the Mekong (Cambodia) ● The entire circulation cycle of the
rivers. AMOC, and the global conveyor belt, is
The Irrawaddy Dolphins fall under quite slow. It takes an estimated 1,000
Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) years for a parcel (any given cubic
Act, 1972, and are mentioned in the metre) of water to complete its journey
International Union for Conservation of along the belt. Even though the whole
Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered process is slow on its own, there is
Species. Although the species, as a whole, some evidence that the AMOC is
is considered ‘endangered’ in every habitat slowing down further.
throughout its range, the freshwater
RAUSIAS-0256 32
93. Answer: (d) ● With only around a thousand members

Explanation: left, it is listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the
IUCN (The International Union for
 The Western Tragopan (Tragopan-
Conservation of Nature)’s Red List.
Melanocephalus) is the state bird of
Himachal Pradesh. ● The Nilgiri Marten is deep brown from
head to rump, with the forequarters
● Western Tragopan, being a habitat
being almost reddish, with a bright
specialist, is threatened by habitat loss
throat ranging in colour from yellow to
and anthropogenic disturbances, which orange.
include livestock grazing, minor forest
● It has a prominent frontal concavity and
produce collection, like medicinal herbs
is larger than the Yellow-throated
etc., besides the change in land-use
Marten. It is about 55 cm – 65 cm (22
practices. inches – 26 inches) long from head to
● Hunting pressure has also contributed vent and has a tail of 40 cm – 45 cm (16
greatly towards the dwindling of the inches –18 inches). It weighs about 2.1
Tragopan population. As a kg (4.6 lb).
consequence, the natural populations ● The Nilgiri Marten is diurnal. It is
are small, highly fragmented and mainly arboreal, but descends to the
declining due to habitat loss and an ground occasionally.
overall reduction in the quality of the ● It is omnivorous and preys on birds,
available habitat throughout its small mammals and insects, such as
restricted range. cicadas. It has also been observed
● The BirdLife International (2020) feeding on a variety of fruits and
projects the global population to be seeds.
around 3,000 individuals. ● The Nilgiri Marten mainly inhabits the
● All these compounding factors, along Shola grasslands and the high altitude
with the increasing fragmentation of evergreen forests, and occasionally the
the population, have led to their adjacent mid-altitude moist deciduous
inclusion under the ‘vulnerable’ (VU) forests and commercial plantations,
that span the Western Ghats in the
category of the International Union
South Indian states of Karnataka,
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s
Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Red List.
● The Marten's English common name is
● But, because of authorities’ efforts,
derived from the Nilgiri Hills, that form
there has been a gradual increase in the
the centre of its range, but sightings
population of this rare species at the
have been reported as far north as the
Himachal Pradesh’s Sarahan Charmadi Ghat and as far south as the
Pheasantry. Neyyar and the Peppara Wildlife
● The Sarahan Pheasantry in Shimla Sanctuaries.
(Himachal Pradesh) has, over the
years, seen successful captive 95. Answer: (a)
breeding of the Western Tragopan.
Explanation:
Major Glaciers Places they are
94. Answer: (a) located in
Explanation:
Parkachik Ladakh
● The Nilgiri Marten (Martes Gwatkinsii)
South Lhonak Sikkim
is the only Marten species native to
southern India. It lives in the hills of the Pindari Uttarakhand
Nilgiris and parts of the Western Ghats. Chomolungma Jammu and Kashmir
RAUSIAS-0256 33
96. Answer: (b) to a developing nation) declined by 15

Explanation: per cent to around $21 billion in 2021.
● Deodar forests are the forests ● Domestic budgets seem to be the largest
dominated by Cedrus Deodara, the source of funding for adaptation in
Deodar Cedar. This tree is found many developing countries, according to
naturally in the Western Himalayas, the report released by the United
from the Gandaki river in Central Nations Environment Programme
Nepal to the Hindu Kush mountain (UNEP). They shell out between 0.2 per
range in Afghanistan. cent to over 5 percent of their
● General cultivation of the Deodar government budgets.
Cedars is limited to the areas with mild ● Neither domestic nor private funding
winters, as these trees are frequently sources could help bridge the
killed by temperatures below −13 °F adaptation finance gaps, especially in
(−25 °C). They prefer sunny and well- the low-income countries, including the
drained locations. Least Developing Countries and the
Small Island Developing Nations.
97. Answer: (a)
Explanation: 98. Answer: (a)
The Adaptation Gap Report is an annual Explanation:
publication from the United Nations The Energy Conservation Building Code
Environment Programme (UNEP), (ECBC), 2017:
presenting the global situation of  The ECBC was released by the Bureau
adaptation to climate change. of Energy Efficiency (Under the
The 2023 report focuses on adaptation Ministry of Power) first in 2007, and
finance, or the availability of money to was later comprehensively upgraded
carry out the adaptation projects. and published in 2017.
The Adaptation Gap Report assessed the  The ECBC sets minimum standards for
current need for adaptation finance in the commercial buildings with the
two ways: objective to save between 25%-50% of
● It puts together all the requirements put energy use in the ECBC compliant
forward by the countries in their buildings.
Nationally Determined Contributions  The ECBC acts as a national standard.
(NDCs), and that came to about USD However, the states have the flexibility
387 billion every year this decade. to modify the ECBC, depending on their
● Separately, it did a modelling exercise of unique regional needs.
the kind of adaptation that was  Applicability of the ECBC:
required across the world, and the  The Code is applicable to the
money needed to support those efforts. commercial buildings, like hospitals,
That exercise yielded a sum of USD 215 hotels, schools, shopping complexes
billion every year in this decade. and multiplexes, which have a
● The numbers are expected to go up connected load of 100 kW or more, or
sharply beyond this decade as the risks contract demand of 120 kVA or more.
from climate change increase rapidly.  The ECBC is both for the new
Other Observations of the Report: buildings and the retro-fitting
● Climate adaptation finance flows from existing buildings.
public multilateral (like the World Bank)  The ECBC looks at following
and bilateral sources (from a developed components of the building design:
RAUSIAS-0256 34
1. Building envelope (walls, roofs and There are some small- to medium-sized
windows) birds of prey, like Falcons and Baza. These
2. Lighting systems feed upon small mammals, insects,
3. HVAC systems reptiles, small birds and carrion.
4. Electrical power system Large birds of prey include Eagles,
Vultures, Hawks and Osprey. They mainly
The requirements under each of these
feed upon insects, birds, reptiles, medium-
components are split between mandatory
sized mammals, amphibians, fish, crabs,
and prescriptive.
with some on carrion.
Compliant buildings are assigned one of
three tags in ascending order of energy
efficiency: ECBC < ECBC Plus < Super 100. Answer: (d)
ECBC. Explanation:
The Karakoram Anomaly: Few pockets of
99. Answer: (b) glaciers in the Karakoram Range are
resisting glacial melt due to global
Explanation:
warming, defying the trend of glaciers
Bird of prey is known as ‘Raptor’. The
losing mass across the globe, with the
raptors are distinguished by keen vision,
Himalayas being no exception. They have
powerful talons and beaks. Keen vision
attributed this phenomenon, called the
helps them in finding food during flight,
‘Karakoram Anomaly’ to the recent revival
talons or strong feet are for holding food,
of the western disturbances (WDs).
and a strong curved beak for tearing flesh.
Examples of glaciers in the Karakoram
Raptors are mostly diurnal, i.e., active
region:
during the daytime. Some raptors are
crepuscular, implies active primarily during  The Baltoro Glacier; the Biafo Glacier;
twilight. the Siachen Glacier; and Batura
Glacier.
The raptors have a distinguished style of
hunting. They use stealth and speed to  The Zemu Glacier is located on the
sneak up on their prey, and once in range, Kanchenjunga mountain.
pursue with a great burst of speed, often
weaving deftly through tree branches and
other obstacles, while keeping their eyes
trained on their quarry.
RAUSIAS-0256 35

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Test is part of Rau’s IAS Test series f or Preliminary Exam 202 4

1. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU SHOULD CHECK

4. All items carry equal marks.

7. Penalty for wrong answers:

2. Consider the following factors: 5. Which of the following statements is/are

3. Temperature 1. It is known for the protection and

(d) All four (a) 1 only

15. Which of the following statements is/are

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 2. They are primarily diurnal.

1. The Glasgow Pact has enabled the (a) Only one

Which of the statements given above 2. Cultural eutrophication leads to

51. Consider the following statements with 2. The Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger

63. Which of the following statements best

correct? 2. It is listed as ‘critically endangered’ on

66. With reference to the Global Biofuel (a) Only one

S.N. Species Endemic to (d) All four

1. White-Bellied The Andaman

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 1. Ecomark certification will promote

1. The UNFF was established by the UN (d) Neither 1 nor 2

(b) Only two

92. With reference to the Atlantic Meridional

1. Parkachik Jammu and (d) None

(a) 1 only (c) Only three

(b) 2 only (d) All four

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Amphibians (a) 1 only

100. Consider the following statements about (c) Both 1 and 2

TEST ID: 0256

Subject: Environment, Ecology,

ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS OF

regulators occupy a greater diversity of • The ectotherms depend mainly on

glucose (a simple sugar) and oxygen. Purple frog is a fossorial (burrowing)

8. Answer: (a) the male platypus can deliver a strong toxic

12. Answer: (a)

13. Answer: (a) 14. Answer: (c)

15. Answer: (c) environments. They can grow at greater

20. Answer: (a)

 The order of States by mangrove 2. It establishes the National

21. Answer: (b) International Union for Conservation

Kattunayakan tribe The Act identifies the following: Title

 Major river: The Use Rights: The rights of the dwellers

o Nitrous oxide(N2O) infrastructure and human health benefits.

Carbon dioxide Burning of fossil 29. Answer: (a)

30. Answer: (a) • A carbon market existed under the

readiness and implementation, and • Appendix III is a list of the species

The Stockholm Convention on remarkable 34% of all Rhododendron

 These standards encompass 12 and their ability to forage and

facility is available within a 75- o The Environment (Protection) Act,

o Facilitating the efficient and prompt

 Agenda 21 emerged as an outcome of extremely heavy rains and ice

46. Answer: (c)

 The Antarctic Krill (and other krill 56. Answer: (d)

58. Answer: (c) Sensitive Zones (ESZs). It recommended

61. Answer: (c) ○ It is used as a rationale for

● Pink hydrogen is produced through ● Bio-CNG contains about 92-98% of

67. Answer: (c) degrees C (3.6 degrees F) and ideally 1.5

multiple times without losing their Marine Iguana, Albatrosses, Cormorants

82. Answer: (a)

86. Answer: (b) becoming a source of income, as any