Under theme: Environment & Ecology
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Associate Golden Mahseer with its known status as a fish, often highlighted in conservation news.
Associate specific National Parks with their unique ecological features, like Valley of Flowers with alpine m…
Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following State has declared a particular butterfly as ‘State Butterfly’?
The first state in India to declare a state butterfly was Maharashtra. Maharashtra designated the Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor) as its state butterfly in 2015. It's a large, black colored butterfly with velvet wings and bright blue spots.
In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitat?
The great hornbill, also known as the concave-casqued hornbill, great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family. It occurs in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is predominantly frugivorous, but also preys on small mammals, reptiles and birds. The great hornbill is native to the forests of India, Bhutan, Nepal, mainland Southeast Asia and Sumatra. Its distribution is fragmented in the Western Ghats and in the foothills of the Himalayas.
With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:
1. It is a tree species found in a part of South India.
2. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rainforest areas of South India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. Red Sanders, also known as Red Sandalwood or Pterocarpus santalinus, is indeed a tree species native to the southern Eastern Ghats mountain range of India. Statement 2 is incorrect. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rainforest areas of South India. Red Sanders is not typically found in tropical rainforests. It grows in drier semi-arid regions of the Eastern Ghats.
146 min · −33% negative · explanations after submit
Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered?
Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new species of banana, Musa indandamanensis, in the remote tropical rainforests of Little Andaman Island. This remarkable species stands out for its exceptional height, reaching up to 11 meters, nearly three times taller than common banana plants. Located 16 km inside the Krishna Nalah forest, this species is globally distinct due to its unique green flowers, an unusually large fruit bunch axis (lux) thrice the size of regular banana species, and cylindrical-shaped flowers instead of the typical conical form. Additionally, the fruit pulp is orange, differing from the usual white or yellow found in common bananas. This discovery adds significant value to botanical research and biodiversity conservation, highlighting the unique flora of the Andaman Islands.
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.
Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?
* The National Aquatic animal of India is the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica). * The Ministry of Environment and Forests notified the Ganges River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal on 18th May 2010.
* The dolphin is blind and faces a severe threat from the heavy pollution and habitat destruction in the waters where it lives. * It has been declared Endangered in the IUCN Red List, and it is assumed that fewer than 2000 individuals remain. This dolphin, called susu or susuk in India, is thought to represent the purity of the Ganga.
146 min · −33% negative · explanations after submit
Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest?
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, due to their unique island ecosystem, provide the ideal conditions for all three forest types to coexist: Mangrove forests: Thrive in the coastal areas with brackish water. Evergreen forests: Found in the wetter interior regions with high rainfall. Deciduous forests: Exist in areas with a seasonal climate, experiencing periods of both rain and dryness.
In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?
1. Terrace cultivation
2. Deforestation
3. Tropical climate
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. Terrace cultivation: This is a soil conservation technique used on sloping land. It involves creating leveled steps or terraces to reduce water runoff and soil erosion. 2. Deforestation: When trees are cut down, the soil loses the protection provided by their roots. This exposes the soil to wind and rain, making it more susceptible to erosion. Deforestation is a major driver of soil erosion in India. 3. Tropical climate: While heavy rainfall in tropical regions can contribute to soil erosion, it's not the sole factor. Deforestation and poor land management practices exacerbate the issue. Thus, the correct answer is '2 only'.
With reference to the Neem tree, consider the following statements:
1. Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites.
2. Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents.
3. Neem oil has applications in the pharmaceutical industry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: Neem oil is a well-known natural pesticide and has been shown to be effective in controlling some insect and mite populations. Statement 2 is incorrect: While there might be some research into using neem seeds for biofuels, it's not a widespread application in 2014 when the question was asked by the UPSC. Hospital detergents typically use stronger and more regulated chemicals. Statement 3 is correct: Neem oil does have applications in the pharmaceutical industry. It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and some of its properties are being explored in modern medicine for their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other potential benefits.
Every year, a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?
The Gond and Korku tribes, residing in Madhya Pradesh's Betul and Harda districts, celebrate a festival called "Hari Jiroti" during the monsoon season. This month-long festival involves planting saplings of fruit-bearing trees, reflecting their deep connection to nature and sustainable practices.