Day-483 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Answer: C
Explanation:
● The World Forestry Congress is a global conference held every 6 years, not every 10 years. The Congress is organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), not the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
● The primary goal of the Congress is to promote sustainable forest management and address key challenges facing the forestry sector. The Congress provides a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences, developing partnerships, and strengthening international cooperation on forestry issues.
● Participation in the Congress is open to all stakeholders including government officials, NGOs, academia, private sector organizations, and individuals interested in forestry issues. However, registration and participation fees may apply.

Answer: B
Explanation:
● Pyrethrin is a naturally occurring insecticide that is derived from the dried flowers of certain chrysanthemum species. It is commonly used in various industries, including agriculture, as a natural pest control agent. In addition to its use as an insecticide, pyrethrin is used in various household products, such as pet shampoos, insect repellents, and mosquito coils. It is also used in some pharmaceutical products to treat head lice and scabies.
● Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree and is effective against aphids, mites, and caterpillars.
● Dicamba is a selective herbicide that is commonly used to control broadleaf weeds in agricultural crops such as soybeans, cotton, and corn. It works by disrupting the growth of the target plants, causing them to wilt and die.
● Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock that is made up of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is commonly used in various industries, including agriculture, as a natural insecticide and pest control agent.

Answer: D
Explanation:
PRIORITY SPECIES are those that are considered to be of particular conservation concern, either because they are endangered or threatened with extinction, or because they play a critical role in maintaining the health and resilience of ecosystems. Some examples of priority species are:
● African elephant – The African elephant is a priority species due to the significant decline in its populations caused by habitat loss, poaching for ivory, and human-elephant conflict.
● Mountain gorilla – The mountain gorilla is a priority species due to its critically endangered status, with only around 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild.
UMBRELLA SPECIES are species that are selected for conservation planning because their protection indirectly benefits a larger number of species and their habitats. They are typically large and wide-ranging species that require extensive habitats, and their conservation needs overlap with those of many other species. Some examples of umbrella species are:
● Grizzly bear – The grizzly bear is an umbrella species because its protection and conservation requires the preservation of large tracts of wilderness, which in turn benefits many other species that depend on these habitats, such as salmon and other fish, birds, and small mammals.
● Whooping crane – The whooping crane is an umbrella species because its conservation requires the protection and restoration of wetland habitats, which in turn benefits many other species that depend on these habitats, such as waterfowl, shorebirds, and amphibians.
INDICATOR SPECIES are species whose presence, absence, or abundance can provide information about the quality of the environment they inhabit. They are often used as tools for monitoring environmental conditions and assessing the health of ecosystems. Some examples of indicator species:
● Lichen – Lichens are often used as indicator species for air quality. They are highly sensitive to air pollution and can indicate the levels of nitrogen and sulfur compounds in the air.
● Coral – Coral is often used as an indicator species for marine ecosystems. It is highly sensitive to changes in water temperature, acidity, and nutrient levels, and can indicate the health of coral reefs and other marine habitats.
FLAGSHIP SPECIES are species that are selected to represent a conservation campaign or program to raise awareness and generate support for the conservation of their habitats and the protection of other species that live in those habitats. Some examples of flagship species:
● Leatherback Sea Turtle – The leatherback sea turtle is a flagship species for marine conservation efforts. Its unique appearance and cultural significance make it a powerful symbol for conservation campaigns and programs aimed at protecting marine habitats and reducing threats such as pollution, by catch, and habitat loss, that can harm sea turtles and other marine species.
● African Elephant – The African elephant is a flagship species for conservation efforts in Africa. Its large size and cultural significance make it a powerful symbol for conservation campaigns and programs aimed at protecting savanna and forest habitats that are important for the elephant’s survival, as well as other species that depend on these habitats.

Answer: B
Explanation:
Only statement 2 is correct.
● The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022, attempts to amend the Wildlife (Protection Act (WLPA), 1972.
● The words “protection of wild animals, birds, and plants”, mentioned under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 have been substituted with the words “conservation, protection and management of wildlife”.
● It empowers the Central Government to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession, or proliferation of invasive alien species.
● It reduced the number of schedules from Six (currently) to Four now: Currently, there are six schedules: protected plants (one), specially protected animals (four), and vermin species (one). The new bill removes the schedule for vermin species (Vermin refers to small animals that carry diseases and destroy food e.g. Monkeys, Nilgai) and add one schedule for protection of species mentioned in the CITES Appendices.
● The Present Act entrusts the Chief Wildlife Warden to control, manage and maintain all sanctuaries in a state. The Chief Wildlife Warden will be appointed by the State Government. The act specifies that the actions of the Chief Warden must be in accordance with the management plans for the sanctuary.These plans will be prepared as per the guidelines of the Central Government, and as approved by the Chief Warden.
● The Act allows for commercial trade in live elephants. This is contrary to the previous Act (Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972) which specifically prohibits trade in Wild Animals including captive and wild elephants.

Answer: B
Explanation:
● Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic, and non-flammable gas that is used in a variety of industrial and scientific applications. One of its most common uses is as a dielectric gas in high-voltage power transmission equipment such as circuit breakers, switchgear, and transformers. It is also used in the production of semiconductors and electrical insulators and also as a tracer gas for leak detection in industrial processes.
● Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a colorless and odorless gas that is commonly known as “laughing gas” due to its use as a dental anesthetic and recreational drug. However, it is also a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential (GWP) of 298 times that of CO2 over a 100-year time horizon.The main sources of nitrous oxide emissions include agricultural activities such as fertilizer use and livestock manure management, as well as industrial activities such as fossil fuel combustion, industrial processes, and waste management.
● Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were commonly used as propellants in aerosol sprays such as deodorants, hairsprays, and insecticides. When the valve of an aerosol spray can is pressed, the CFC propellant is released along with the product being sprayed. As the CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they can contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer.