Daily subject-wise quiz : Environment and Geography MCQs on human-wildlife conflict, International Big Cat Alliance and more (Week 115)

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Environment and Geography to check your progress.
🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨
With reference to the International Big Cat Alliance, consider the following statements:
1. There are 95 range countries which fall within the natural distribution of the big cats.
2. All UN member countries can become members after the framework agreement is signed.
3. The first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was held in Moscow.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Explanation
— The first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was held in New Delhi, presided over by the Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
— In March 2024, the Indian government established the IBCA through the National Tiger Conservation Authority, which reports to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. Its mandate is to protect seven big cats: the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.
— It was created 'to facilitate collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise and replicating them in range countries.' The Union government has set aside Rs 150 crore for the purpose from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
— The big cats have 95 range countries (those within a species' natural distribution), which include Canada, China, Congo, Ghana, Brazil, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
— All UN member countries can become members after the framework agreement is signed and conveyed through a Note Verbale, a method of formal diplomatic communication. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
Which of the following is/are the reason which led to the increase in human-wildlife conflict?
1. Fluctuations in wildlife population
2. Animals forced to move out of their habitats
3. Grazing of domestic cattle in forest areas
4. Changes in cropping pattern
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
— Kerala has sought the Union government's nod to kill wild animals that pose a threat to human life and properties. The state wants the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 amended so it can be allowed to kill wild animals that foray into human habitats.
— The primary problem animals include tigers, leopards, elephants, bison, wild boar, bonnet macaques, and peafowl. Although bonnet macaques (a monkey species) and peafowl pose little threat to humans, their regular raids have driven farmers to abandon enormous swaths of agricultural land.
— Major reasons include regional fluctuations in wildlife populations, animals forced to relocate when the quality of their habitats deteriorates, domestic cattle grazing in forest regions, changes in cropping patterns, and so on. But, more crucially, the population growth of wild pigs and various monkey species is causing havoc on human habitats.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
With reference to the National Mission for a Green India, consider the following statements:
1. It was launched in 2014.
2. Its main objective is to protect, restore, and enhance India's forest and tree cover, using a blend of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
3. The Western Ghats mountain ranges are not included in the Green India Mission.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Explanation
— According to the new Green India Mission (GIM) whitepaper, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change would prioritise the restoration of sensitive landscapes such as the Aravallis and Western Ghats mountain ranges, mangroves, and the Indian Himalayan area.
— The amended document claimed that a'micro-ecosystem' approach will be used to make interventions in sensitive landscapes such as the Aravallis, Western Ghats, arid parts of North West India, mangroves, and the Indian Himalayan region. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
— The National Mission for a Green India was established in February 2014 as one of the eight main missions of India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Hence, statement 1 is correct.
— GIM's primary goal is to maintain, restore, and improve India's forest and tree cover using a combination of climate adaptation and mitigation techniques. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
— One of the mission's primary goals was to expand forest and tree cover on 5 million hectares of forest and non-forest land, as well as improve the quality of forest cover on an additional 5 million hectares.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
With reference to the Indian Flapshell Turtle, consider the following statements:
1. It is a small softshell turtle with a carapace length of up to 350 mm.
2. These species live only in the oceans.
3. They are found only in the Indian Subcontinent.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Explanation
— The Indian Flapshell Turtle is a small softshell turtle with a carapace length of up to 350 mm. Nesting often begins in late summer and continues through the monsoon season, which lasts from July to November. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
— These species live in a wide range of aquatic habitats, including rivers and streams, reservoirs, marshes, ponds, lakes, and even salt marshes, rice fields, gutters, and canals in urban areas. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
— It is ubiquitous in brackish water lagoons on India's east coast and is frequently seen in irrigation canals and tanks, as well as stagnant paddy fields.
— Distribution: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. The Indian Flapshell Turtle is native to the Indian Subcontinent, and it's also found in some parts of Myanmar (not considered part of the Indian subcontinent). Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
Which of the following species exhibit bioluminescence?
1. Jellyfish
2. Worms
3. Sea stars
4. Sharks
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 3 and 4 only
Explanation
— Bioluminescence is the ability of a living creature to generate and radiate light. This phenomenon is unusual in terrestrial ecosystems but prevalent in marine environments.
— Many marine animals, including bacteria, algae, jellyfish, worms, crabs, sea stars, fish, and sharks, can create their own light. Deep-living and planktonic creatures exhibit higher luminescence than shallow species. Furthermore, the appearance of bioluminescent light varies depending on the environment and the creature in which it is present.
— According to NOAA, bioluminescence is the product of an enzyme reaction. An enzyme accelerates a chemical reaction by assisting a substrate in reacting. The enzyme is reused in the process rather than being converted into another molecule
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 114)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 115)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 115)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 115)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 114)
Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 114)
Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.
Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Economic Times

16 minutes ago

• Economic Times

Canada, a move away from the Rockies

Recognising a problem is the first step towards a solution. By that metric, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has taken an important step towards repairing a troubled India-Canada relationship. A recent CSIS report acknowledges the existence of Canada-based Khalistani extremists who continue to promote, fund and/or plan acts of violence targeting India. Not only do they mean harm to India, CSIS says these groups also threaten Canadian national security. That is lucid observation. The report's findings dovetail efforts by PM Mark Carney to repair and restore the bilateral relationship left hanging precariously by his predecessor Justin Trudeau. Recognition of continued operations of Canada-based Khalistani extremists is an important departure from the recent past when focus was turned on alleged involvement of Indian officials in the 2023 killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. While perceptions of the threat may differ, acknowledgement that it's an issue of concern for both countries will allow addressing it, and avoid the kind of strange food fight that had broken out before. Like any long-standing relationship, especially between two democracies, there have been ups and downs. But, on balance, it has been a good one. The current fractured geopolitical and geo-economic landscape, exacerbated by unpredictability of the Trump regime - his continued suggestion of annexing Canada and newfound friendship with Pakistan and its generals - adds urgency to restoring and augmenting New Delhi-Ottawa ties. Working together and tackling problems with mutual respect, for mutual benefit, should become a SOP, allowing both nations to leverage the past - beyond the too-recent past, that is - and take on multiple challenges.

Time of India

26 minutes ago

• Time of India

HC wants replies from TCP on zone-swap fee waivers

Panaji: The high court has called for replies from the TCP department and the director of vigilance in a PIL seeking to recover fees illegally waived under Section 17(2) of the TCP Act. This waiver was for deleting roads proposed in the regional plan, thereby reclassifying them as settlement areas. The PIL filed by Swapnesh Sherlekar alleged a loss to the exchequer in cases considered for correction of zones. under Section 17(2), where several proposed roads were deleted without the collection of fees and without any statutory basis for such exemption. Among these were properties belonging to TCP minister Vishwajit Rane, who benefited from this unauthorised exemption of fees, the petition stated. In one such case at Carapur in Bicholim, published in the official gazette dated Nov 21, 2024, includes the deletion of a proposed road resulting in 4,214sqm being reclassified as a settlement zone. As per the revised notification, this change should have attracted fees of Rs 1,000 per sqm, amounting to Rs 44.1 lakh, which was improperly waived, Sherlekar submitted in the PIL. The decision for correction of the zone was taken post-March 28, 2024, making the revised rates applicable. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo In another case published in the official gazette dated March 7, 2024, in the same village, also belonging to Rane, the deletion of a proposed road resulted in 17,802 sqm being reclassified as a settlement zone, the petition stated. 'This should have attracted fees of Rs 150 per sqm (as per rates applicable before March 28, 2024, for areas between 10,000 sqmto 20,000 sqm) amounting to Rs 26.7 lakh, which was similarly waived,' Sherlekar submitted through his advocate, Rohit Bras De Sa. The total revenue loss in just these two cases amounts to approximately Rs 69.8 lakh, he stated, adding that there are numerous similar cases of deletion of proposed roads between March 2023 and March 2024, as well as after March 2024, which require scrutiny for similar unauthorised exemptions. 'The fee schedule as notified in the official gazette specifically applies to 'fee for correction of inconsistent/incoherent zoning provisions which amount to change of zone of land to settlement zone or the sub-zone settlement (commercial), per square metre of land,' and there is no notified order on record indicating that removal of proposed roads under Section 17(2) is exempted from payment of fees,' Sherlekar further submitted. 'We have heard the counsel Rohit Bras De Sa in support of the petition, and noted the specific pleadings in the petition, which revolve around the properties belonging to Vishwajit Rane, and a specific allegation is levelled that he benefited from this unauthorised exemption of fees,' stated the division Justices Bharati Dangre and Nivedita Mehta.

Time of India

26 minutes ago

• Time of India

NRHA Urges Full Implementation Of Maharashtra Tourism Policy 2024

1 2 Nagpur: The Nagpur Residential Hotels Association (NRHA) urged the Maharashtra govt to fully implement the 2024 Tourism Policy. Renu formally submitted its recommendations and vision document to Prashant Sawai, Deputy Director, Directorate of Tourism, Nagpur. NRHA president Tejinder Singh Renu submitted recommendations, highlighting the need for an integrated strategy. Despite rich tourism potential, Maharashtra underperforms due to slow policy execution. The policy aims to attract Rs 25,000 crore in investments and create 10 lakh jobs. Renu formally submitted its recommendations and vision document to Prashant Sawai, Deputy Director, Directorate of Tourism, Nagpur. NRHA proposes declaring Nagpur as 'Tiger Capital', legalising rooftop restaurants, and launching a tourism app. They also recommend removing the MERC stay on industrial electricity tariff benefits and forming District Tourism Promotion Committees. To track progress, NRHA suggests monitoring tourist footfall, revenue, employment, and hotel occupancy rates. With proper execution, NRHA believes Maharashtra can become a top-3 tourism destination, driving employment, rural growth, and GDP. The govt appreciated NRHA's efforts, which will contribute to the Vision 2047 document.