Anthropogenic Threats to Biodiversity
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
This concept is fundamental to understanding environmental challenges, sustainable development, and the need for regulatory frameworks and policy interventions to mitigate human-induced ecological damage. It's a cross-cutting theme in Environment & Ecology.
Anthropogenic threats refer to the diverse range of negative impacts caused by human activities on natural ecosystems and species, leading to habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and the direct exploitation of resources, ultimately resulting in significant biodiversity loss.
Facts & tables
- Chemical Pollution
- Veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like diclofenac, widely used in livestock, are a major cause of vulture mortality due to bioaccumulation.
- Infrastructure Development
- Expansion of power infrastructure leads to electrocution of birds, especially large raptors like vultures.
- Accidental Poisoning
- Accidental poisoning from rodenticides and other toxins in the environment poses a significant threat to scavengers.
- Habitat & Food Resource Alteration
- Habitat degradation, disturbance of nesting sites, and changes in traditional land-use practices (e.g., shift from pastoralism to settled agriculture) reduce food availability and suitable habitats.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Environment & Ecology |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- NSAIDs (diclofenac) are a primary chemical threat to vultures.
- Electrocution from power lines is a significant physical threat.
- Accidental poisoning from various toxins affects scavengers.
- Habitat loss and altered food sources due to land-use changes.
- These threats highlight the need for integrated environmental management.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2020 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Conceptual understanding, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2015 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2014 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
Timeline
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Environment & Ecology
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2014
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2015
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2017
Conceptual understanding, Factual recall
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Prelims 2017
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2020
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
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Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2025
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
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Understanding the disappearance of Egyptian Vulture in Tamil Nadu
Human activities like drug use (NSAIDs), infrastructure development (electrocution), chemical pollution (poisoning), and land-use changes (habitat loss, food scarcity) are major drivers of biodiversity decline, exemplified by the Egyptian Vulture's disappearance.
See also
Past papers
2015–2025 · 7 questions
In the news
Understanding the disappearance of Egyptian Vulture in Tamil Nadu
Human activities like drug use (NSAIDs), infrastructure development (electrocution), chemical pollution (poisoning), and land-use changes (habitat loss, food scarcity) are major drivers of biodiversity decline, exemplified by the Egyptian Vulture's disappearance.
Try these PYQs
With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements:
1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, all wild animals in protected areas are the property of the government. But, Section 42 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 deals with Certificates of Ownership, empowering the Chief Wildlife Warden to issue these for lawfully possessed wild animals or animal articles (trophies, etc.) with a person. This ensures traceability, allowing identification marking and conditions for housing captive animals, and requires owners to surrender such items if no longer desired, with cancellation of the certificate. Statement 2 is correct: The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for the protection of wild animals, whether they are found inside or outside the designated protected areas. Statement 3 is incorrect: As per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the capture or killing of a protected wild animal is strictly prohibited, even if it is perceived to be a danger to human life. Special permission is required from the authorities for any such action.
Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
✅ A. The European Union:
The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is an EU legislative initiative adopted in 2024. It sets binding targets to restore ecosystems, fight climate change, and protect biodiversity across EU member states. ❌ B. The World Bank:
An international financial institution providing loans and grants; it does not enact laws like the NRL. ❌ C. OECD:
An organization promoting economic cooperation and policy coordination; it does not enact binding environmental laws such as the NRL. ❌ D. FAO:
A UN agency focused on hunger and agriculture; it does not enact regional laws like the NRL.
With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements :
1. None of them uses seawater.
2. None of them is set up in water-stressed district.
3. None of them is privately owned.
How many of the above statements are correct?
* Statement 1 is incorrect: The Mundra Thermal Power Plant employs a closed-cycle induced draft circulating cooling water system that utilises seawater. Seawater is drawn from the Gulf of Kutch through robust glass reinforced pipes of significant diameter. In addition, purified seawater from a reverse osmosis plant is utilised by various supplementary systems. * Statement 2 is incorrect: According to recent research by WRI (World Resources Institute), 40 percent of India's thermal power plants are situated in regions experiencing significant water stress. This poses a challenge as these plants rely on water for cooling purposes. The scarcity of water is already causing disruptions in electricity generation in these areas, with 14 out of India's 20 largest thermal utilities having experienced at least one shutdown between 2013 and 2016 due to water shortages. * Statement 3 is incorrect: India has a total of 269 Thermal Power Plants, with 138 of them being owned by the public sector and the remaining 131 owned by the private sector.
According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law?
1. Gharial
2. Indian wild ass
3. Wild Buffalo
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Gharial: Listed in Schedule I of the Act. Schedule I includes species with the highest protection, prohibiting hunting entirely except under exceptional circumstances like disease control or to prevent human attacks. Therefore, hunting Gharial is illegal. Indian wild ass: Listed in Schedule I of the Act. Similar to Gharial, hunting the Indian wild ass is also prohibited. Wild Buffalo: Listed in Schedule I of the Indian WildLife (Protection) Act, 1972. So, Wild Buffalo cannot be hunted. _Note: The Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972 underwent amendments in 2022, which impacted the scheduling of wild animals._
_Previously, there were six schedules. The amendment streamlined them into four schedules._
In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?
In 1972, the Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA) was enacted for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants. It was made to prevent hunting and also to control trade in wildlife products.
Wildlife laws divide species into schedules ranked from I to V. Section 9 of WPA prohibits hunting of any wild animal specified in Schedules 1, 2, 3, and 4. Tiger is listed in Schedule I of the act. So if a species is listed in Schedule I of the act, It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger. Note: The Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972 underwent amendments in 2022 which impacted the scheduling of wild animals. Previously, there were six schedules. The amendment streamlined them into four schedules.
Show 3 more PYQs
If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
* The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants. It classifies species into six schedules, each offering different levels of protection. * Schedule VI of the Act pertains to certain plants that are prohibited from cultivation and planting without a license. Therefore, If a plant species is listed under Schedule VI, it means a license is required for its cultivation. * The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 amended the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The amendment reduced the number of schedules from six to four, simplifying wildlife classification and protection levels. Additionally, the Act also aligned the provisions with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) by introducing a separate schedule (Sch. IV) for species covered under CITES.
With reference to ‘dugong’, mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
2. It is found along the entire coast of India
3. It is given legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct: The Dugong is a herbivorous marine animal. Dugongs are marine mammals that feed on seagrass meadows. Statement 2 is incorrect: While once more widespread, dugong populations are now concentrated in specific areas. They are primarily found in -The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay off the coast of Tamil Nadu -The Andaman and Nicobar Islands -The Gulf of Kutch Statement 3 is correct: It is given legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Consider the following international agreements:
1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
3. The World Heritage Convention
Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture focuses on ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. This directly impacts biodiversity as it aims to protect the variety of plant species crucial for food security and ecosystem health. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification addresses land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. Desertification can significantly reduce biodiversity by destroying habitats and reducing plant and animal life. By working to combat desertification, this convention indirectly protects biodiversity. The World Heritage Convention focuses on preserving cultural and natural heritage sites. Conservation natural heritage sites may contribute to biodiversity conservation.
Thus 'D' is the correct answer.