1. Consider the following pairs:
Ramsar Wetland Sites : State
1 Harike wetland : Odisha
2 Kanjli wetland : Kerala
3 Tsomoriri : Manipur
4 Pong Dam lake : Himachal Pradesh
Which of the following Ramsar wetland sites is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 3 only
d) 4 only
Answer: d
Explanation:
Harike and Kanjli wetlands are in Punjab,
Tsomoriri is in Jammu and Kashmir.
Therefore, the correct answer is d.
2. Consider the following statements with reference to Boreal Summer Intra-Seasonal Oscillation (BSISO):
1. It is the movement of convection (heat) from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific Ocean every 10-50 days during the monsoon.
2. It is one of the most prominent sources of short-term climate variability in the global monsoon system.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: c
Explanation:
The Boreal summer intra-seasonal oscillation (BSISO) of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) is one of the most prominent sources of short-term climate variability in the global monsoon system. Compared with the related Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) it is more complex in nature, with prominent northward propagation and variability extending much further from the equator. BSISO is the movement of convection (heat) from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific Ocean roughly every 10-50 days during the monsoon (June-September). They represent the monsoon’s ‘active’ and ‘break’ periods, in which weeks of heavy rainfall give way to brilliant sunshine before starting all over again. The active phase also enhances monsoon winds and hence the surface waves. The active phases of BSISO occur between June and August which are the monsoon summer months. Wave forecast advisories based on the BSISO would be more useful for efficient coastal and marine management. So, statement 1 is correct.
BSISO of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) is one of the most prominent sources of short-term climate variability in the global monsoon system. Compared with the related Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) it is more complex in nature, with prominent northward propagation and variability extending much further from the equator. So, statement 2 is correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is c.
3. Which of the following statements is/are not correct with reference to the Global Environment Facility (GEF)?
1. It was established at the Rio + 10 Summit held at Johannesburg to help tackle most pressing environmental problems.
2. GEF funds are available to all countries to meet the objectives of the international environmental conventions and agreements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: c
Explanation:
The Global Environment Facility was established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to help tackle most pressing environmental problems. So, statement 1 is not correct. GEF funds are available to all the developing countries and countries with economies in transition to meet the objectives of the international environmental conventions and agreements. So, statement 2 is not correct.
Therefore, the answer is c.
4. Match the following Pairs:
Disaster Nodal : Ministry
1. Avalanche : A. Ministry of Earth Sciences
2. Urban Flood : B. Ministry of Mines
3. Landslides : C. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
4. Earthquake : D. Ministry of Defence
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a. 1-B, 2-C, 3-A, 4-D
b. 1-A, 2-C, 3-D, 4- B
c. 1-D, 2- C, 3- B, 4- A
d. 1-D, 2-C, 3-A, 4-B
Answer: c
Explanation:
As per the National Disaster Management Plan 2019, the nodal ministries for mitigation of some disasters in India are:
∙ Avalanche – Ministry of Defence (Border Road Organization)
∙ Urban Flood- Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
∙ Landslides- Ministry of Mines
∙ Oil Spills- Ministry of Defence (Indian Coast Guard)
∙ Biological Emergencies- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
∙ Floods- Ministry of Jal Shakti
∙ Cyclones- Ministry of Earth Sciences
∙ Forest Fires- Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
∙ Nuclear & Radiological- Department of Atomic Energy
∙ Earthquakes- Ministry of Earth Sciences
∙ Drought- Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
Therefore, the correct answer is c
5. The World Wildlife Crime Report is released by which of the following organizations?
a. United Nations Environment Programme
b. Financial Action Task Force
c. United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime
d. TRAFFIC
Answer: c
Explanation:
United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC) releases the World Wildlife Crime Report. The first Report was in 2016 which focused on a global assessment of the state of wildlife crime. The World Wildlife Crime Report 2020 contains detailed case studies on illegally traded species, illicit markets and trade flows, as well as illicit financial flows. It analyzes the status and changing trends of illegal markets, most notably illicit trafficking of rosewood, eels, reptiles, ivory, rhino horn and pangolin scales, all specimens covered by CITES.