Day-730 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | ENVIRONMENT

Answer: B
Explanation:
Option B is correct: Short-lived climate pollutants like methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – also known as ‘super pollutants’ – are many times more powerful than carbon dioxide at warming the planet but because they are short-lived in the atmosphere, preventing emissions can rapidly reduce the rate of warming. Many are also dangerous air pollutants and reductions will benefit human health and ecosystems.
The Climate and Clean Air Conference 2024 began on February 21, ahead of the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), with a call for international collaboration to phase-out short-lived climate pollutants, or “super pollutants”, such as methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons. It has urged the countries to include such super pollutants in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). Agreements such as the Kigali Amendment, the Montreal Protocol and the Global Methane Pledge are significant to remove super pollutants from the atmosphere.

Answer: D
Explanation: Options 1, 2, 3 and 4 are correct.
UNESCO has recognized Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve as the first and foremost biosphere reserve in the year 1986 under The Man and Biosphere Programme.
The reserve is located in the Western Ghats of Southern India. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is spread over the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. The reserve extends from the tropical moist forests of the windward slopes of the Western Ghats to the tropical dry forests on the leeward eastern slopes, which include Mudumalai (Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu), Bandipur (Chamarajnagar district, Karnataka), Nagarhole (Kodagu district, Karnataka), Wayanad (Wayanad district, Kerala), and Silent valley (Palakkad district, Kerala).
Sathyamangalam wildlife sanctuary is located at the confluence of scenic Western and Eastern Ghats in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Erode district of Tamil Nadu.
The varied habitats of the NBR houses a sizable number of species of animals and plants including a large number of endemics having special relevance to conservation. To name a few among endemic plants are Rhododendron arboreum Ssp. nilagiricum, Actinodaphne malabarica, Garcinia morella, Glochidion neilgherrensis, Garcinia gummi-gutta, Litsea bourdillonii, Michelia nilgirica, Mahonia leschenaultiana, Cinnamomum sulphuratum. etc. Important faunal elements which needs protection are Panthera tigris (Tiger), Elephas maximus (Elephant), Boss gaurus (Gaur), Macaca silenus (Lion tail macaque), Axis axis (Cheethal), Cervus unicolor (Sambar), Sus scrofa (Wild Boar), Muntiacus muntjak (Barking deer), Nilgiri Tahr etc.

Answer: A
Explanation:
Both statements are correct and statement II explains statement I: Mangroves are halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) that grow in sheltered tropical and subtropical coastal areas across the globe. They have the unique capability of growing within reach of the tides in salty soil.
The salty soils of the intertidal pose an inhospitable barrier for most woody plants, but the mangrove is uniquely adapted for these conditions. These adaptations are so successful that some mangroves are able to grow in soils that reach salinities up to 75 parts per thousand (ppt), about two times the salinity of ocean water.
For most plants, the seeds remain dormant until after they are dispersed to a favourable environment. Mangrove offspring begin to grow while still attached to their parents. This type of plant reproduction is called vivipary. After mangrove flowers are pollinated, the plants produce seeds that immediately begin to germinate into seedlings. The little seedlings, called propagules, then fall off the tree, and can be swept away by the ocean current. Depending upon the species, propagules will float for a number of days before becoming waterlogged and sinking to the muddy bottom, where they lodge in the soil. Propagules of Rhizophora are able to grow over a year after they are released from their parent tree, while the white mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa, floats for up to 24 days, though it starts losing its ability to take root after eight. The flotation time allows for the propagules to vacate the area where their parent grows and avoid competition with an already established mangrove.

Answer: B
Explanation: Only options 1, 2 and 4 are correct.
In biological nitrogen fixation which is an essential element of the nitrogen cycle, molecular nitrogen is broken into two atoms of free nitrogen. The free nitrogen atoms then combine with hydrogen to form ammonia molecules. This process is accomplished by several groups of organisms including symbiotic bacteria living in association with leguminous plants, free living bacteria, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and fungi.
● Free-living nitrogen fixers can further be classified into phototrophic (Nostoc), chemotrophic (Klebsiella), aerobic (Azotobacter) or anaerobic (Chromatium) depending upon the state of existence and mode of nutrition.
● Agronomically the most important nitrogen fixing systems are Rhizobium-legume association, Frankia (actinorhizal)-woody plant association, Anabaena-Azolla and Cyanobacteria-rice system.
● Certain species of cyanobacteria are another important group of largely non-symbiotic nitrogen fixers. Of some 40 known species, the most common belong to the genera Nostoc and Calothrix.
● Rhizobium-legume association invariably occurs in the form of root nodules.
Option 3 is incorrect: Nitrosomonas plays a role in nitrification wherein ammonia is oxidized into nitrite and nitrate ions. Two groups of chemosynthetic autotrophic bacteria, namely, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter are involved in the transformation of ammonia into nitrate ions. These are collectively called nitrifying bacteria and derive energy for their metabolism from these reactions. Nitrosomonas utilize the ammonia in the soil as their source of energy and the ammonia is converted to nitrite ions. The nitrite ions are then further transformed into nitrate ions, by the other group of bacteria, Nitrobacter.
Option 5 is incorrect: Pseudomonas is an example of denitrifying bacteria which facilitates the process of denitrification in nitrogen cycle. Nitrate ions present in the soil are degraded to form gaseous nitrogen under the action of a particular group of bacteria. This transformation is called denitrification. The bacteria that carry out this process are termed denitrifying bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas.

Answer: B
Explanation: Options 1 and 2 are correct. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 provides legality, powers and duties to the Forest Advisory Committee and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. Section 3 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 empowers the Central Government to constitute a Forest Advisory Committee whose function is to advise the central government on:
● matters regarding grant of approval for converting a forest into non-forest purpose;
● any other matter connected with the conservation of forests which may be referred to by the Central Government.
If the State Government or the Union territory Administration(as the case may be) , agrees in-principle to de-reserve or divert for non-forest purpose or assign on lease the forest land indicated in the proposal, it shall forward the same to the central government within thirty days along with its recommendations. The Central Government shall refer every proposal to the advisory committee for its advice.
The Committee shall be composed of the following members:
● Director General of Forests, Ministry of Environment and Forests;
● Additional Director General of Forests, Ministry of Environment and Forests
● Additional Commissioner (Soil Conservation), Ministry of Agriculture
● Three non-official members who shall be experts one each in Mining, Civil Engineering and Development
● Inspector General of Forests (Forest Conservation), Ministry of Environment and Forests
In addition to the Forest Advisory Committee, a Regional Empowered Committee shall also be constituted at each of the Regional Offices. The Regional Empowered Committee shall consist of (i) the Regional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Central); (ii) three non-official members who shall be experts one each in Mining, Civil Engineering and Development Economics and (iii) the Conservator of Forests or the Deputy Conservator of Forests in the Regional Office.
The Regional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Central) shall be the chairperson and the Conservator of Forests or the Deputy Conservator of Forests shall be the Member Secretary.
Option 3 is incorrect: Chief Wildlife Warden draws legality for its duties and functions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Functions include:
● Control and Management of Sanctuaries: The Chief Wildlife Warden oversees the establishment, functioning, and maintenance of wildlife sanctuaries. They play a pivotal role in ensuring the protection of these areas and the species residing within them.
● Granting Permissions: The Chief Wildlife Warden has the authority to grant permissions for various purposes, including:
o Entry or Residence: They may permit individuals to enter or reside in a sanctuary for wildlife study, scientific research, photography, lawful business, and tourism.
o Special Activities: Permissions are also granted for specific activities such as filming, research projects, and educational programs.