1. Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news ?

(a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.

(b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.

(c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.

(d) None of the above

(b) This plant is a native of Mexico, and spread throughout Indi(a) It's an aggressive colonizer, common weed of wastelands, scrublands and degraded forests. Since it's mention under the head of invasive alien species so it'd reduce biodiversity in the area, Hence Option (B).

2. Consider the following statements

1. Most of the world's coral reefs are in tropicalwaters.

2. More than one-third of the world's coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.

3. Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

(c)

· Coral reefs are found in tropical and subtropical regions. Most of them are located between Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, so yes #1 is indeed right.

· According to UNEP,% of world area covered by each region: Indonesia 18%, Australia: 17% and Philippines: 9% so collectively that'll be more than 33%. Hence #2 is right.

· Coral reefs include a wide range of diversity with 32 of the 34 animal phyla present, in contrast to only 9 phyla represented in tropical rainforest.

So, #3 is also right. Thus, answer is D: 1, 2 and 3

3. The term "sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction" is often mentioned in the news in the context of the

discussion of

(a) Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.

(b) Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs. .

(c) Large scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.

(d) Mankind's over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.

(d) Scientists are suggesting that the sixth mass extinction is underway as there is a species loss of 100-1000 every year. The normal background extinction rate is about 10-25 species per year. Habitat loss, overpopulation of humans, pollution, over-harvesting and invasive species invasion are cited as the main reasons.

4. Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in riverbeds ?

1. Decreased salinity in the river

2. Pollution of groundwater

3. Lowering of the water-table

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1 ,2 and 3

(b) Sand Mining wrecks the intertidal area and creates the imminent danger of saline water ingress into fresh water." Meaning salinity will increase, so statement#1 is wrong, by elimination we've answer "B" 2 and 3 only. In this question, first statement is wrong, and you've to identify right statements. So in real exam stress, some students may have made error of reading / ticking, and they'd have ticked the wrong option A: only 1. (you're right that it's wrong statement, but you're not asked to tick the wrong one.) So, be mindful of ticking in OMR.

5. Consider the following statements:

1. The definition of "Critical Wildlife Habitat" is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

2. For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights.

3. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of Indi(a)

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

(a)

· Baigas are considered as a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in the Indian Constitution and rely mostly on shifting cultivation, forest produce and fishing for sustenance, spread over forested areas of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In 2016, they became India's first community to get habitat rights. Ref: Downtoearth-2016 So, #2 is right.