Static Quiz 16 March 2026 (Environment)

Q1.Consider the following objectives of the National Forest Policy, 1988:

1. Increasing forest and tree cover to one-third of the total geographical area
2. Prioritising environmental stability over revenue generation
3. Granting commercial rights of forest produce to industries
4. Meeting the subsistence requirements of tribal and rural communities

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans. B

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct
  Policy target → 33% forest cover (66% in hills).
• Statement 2 – Correct
  Environmental stability and ecological balance were made primary objectives.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect
  Policy discourages commercial exploitation and prioritises local communities.
• Statement 4 – Correct
  Fuelwood, fodder, NTFP needs of tribals and rural communities given priority.

Q2.Which of the following are keystone species?

1. Species whose removal causes major ecosystem imbalance
2. Species that dominate ecosystem biomass
3. Species whose ecological impact is disproportionately large relative to abundance

Select the correct answer using the code below.

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Ans. C

Explanation

• Keystone species → Species whose ecological role is disproportionately large relative to their abundance.

Examples:

• Elephant
• Tiger
• Sea otter
• Starfish

Statement 2 incorrect: Dominant species ≠ keystone species.

Q3.Consider the following greenhouse gases:

1. Methane
2. Nitrous oxide
3. Sulphur hexafluoride
4. Carbon Monoxide

Which of the above have higher Global Warming Potential (GWP) than CO₂?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2 and 3 only

Ans. D

Explanation

Approximate 100-year GWP values:

Gas	GWP
CO₂	1
Methane	28–34
Nitrous oxide	~265
SF6	~23,500

Carbon Monoxide (CO): It is generally considered an indirect greenhouse gas rather than a direct one. While it reacts in the atmosphere to produce CO₂ and influences the lifetimes of other gases like methane, it does not have a standard direct GWP value like the primary greenhouse gases

Q4.With reference to the Montreal Protocol, consider the following statements:

1. It aims to phase out ozone-depleting substances.
2. Most of the greenhouse gases are regulated under this protocol.
3. The Kigali Amendment deals with phasedown of HFCs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Ans. B

Explanation

• Statement 1 – Correct
  Montreal Protocol (1987) → phase out ODS like CFCs, halons.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect
  Only ozone-depleting gases, not all greenhouse gases.
• Statement 3 – Correct
  Kigali Amendment (2016) → phasedown HFCs.

Q5.

Which of the following are Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)?

1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
2. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
3. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
4. Halons

Select the correct answer.

A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
D. 2 and 3 only

Ans. A

Explanation

Substance	Ozone Depletion
CFCs	Yes
HCFCs	Yes (lower ODP)
HFCs	No chlorine → no ODP
Halons	Strong ODS

Thus 1, 2, 4 correct.