Q1. Consider the following statements about the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in India:
- NAAQS were first notified in 1982 and revised in 2009.
- There are 12 pollutants under NAAQS, including PM2.5 and Ozone.
- The standards are uniform across rural, urban, and industrial areas.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
- Correct – NAAQS were initially notified in 1982, significantly revised in November 2009 to include 12 pollutants.
- Correct – The 12 pollutants are: PM10, PM2.5, SO₂, NO₂, CO, O₃, NH₃, Pb, Ni, As, Benzene, Benzo(a)pyrene.
- Incorrect – NAAQS classify areas into three categories: Industrial, Residential/Rural, and Ecologically Sensitive (stricter norms for sensitive zones like Taj Trapezium).
Q2. Consider the following statements on Biodiversity Act, 2002:
- It establishes the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at Chennai.
- Access to biological resources by foreigners requires prior approval of NBA.
- Benefit-sharing is mandatory only for commercial use, not for research.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
- Correct – NBA is headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Correct – Section 3: Foreigners, NRIs, and foreign-registered companies need prior NBA approval for access.
- Incorrect – Benefit-sharing applies to both commercial utilization and research results leading to IPR (Section 6).
Q3. Consider the following statements about Montreux Record:
- It is a register of wetland sites under Ramsar Convention where changes in ecological character have occurred.
- Loktak Lake (Manipur) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) are currently on the Montreux Record.
- Inclusion in the Montreux Record is voluntary and non-punitive.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None
Answer: (c) All three
Explanation:
- Correct – Montreux Record is a voluntary register under Article 3.1 of Ramsar Convention for sites facing anthropogenic or natural threats.
- Correct – As of 2025: Loktak Lake (1990) and Keoladeo (1990) remain listed; Chilika was removed in 2002.
- Correct – It is non-punitive, meant to facilitate conservation support.
Q4. Consider the following statements on Carbon Credit under Kyoto Protocol:
- Certified Emission Reduction (CER) is issued under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
- India is the largest beneficiary of CDM projects globally.
- CERs can be traded only within Annex I countries.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
- Correct – CERs are issued for emission reductions in non-Annex I countries (like India) under CDM.
- Correct – India has the highest number of registered CDM projects (1,700+ as of 2023).
- Incorrect – CERs can be traded globally; Annex I countries buy them to meet Kyoto targets.
Q5. Consider the following statements on Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs):
- ESZs are declared around Protected Areas under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Mining is a prohibited activity in ESZs.
- The minimum extent of ESZ is fixed at 10 km from the boundary of a national park.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
- Correct – MoEFCC notifies ESZs under Section 3 of EP Act and Rule 5 of EP Rules.
- Correct – Red category activities like mining, stone quarrying, and crushing units are prohibited in ESZs.
- Incorrect – No fixed minimum; ESZ extent varies (0–50 km) based on site-specific draft (e.g., Okhla Bird Sanctuary ESZ is 100 m).
