Environment MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Environment - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Option 1.

In News

• A new species of beetle, Spathaspina noohi, was recently discovered from the forests of Meghalaya, adding to India’s entomological diversity.

Key Points

• The beetle was discovered in the Umran area of Ri Bhoi district, Meghalaya, and it belongs to the Curculionidae (weevil) family, known for its ecological and agricultural roles. Hence, Statement I is correct.
• Due to its prominent sword-like spine, researchers assigned it to a new genus within the subfamily Ceutorhynchinae, combining Latin terms spatha (sword) and spina (spine). Hence, Statement II is correct.
• Beetles in the subfamily Ceutorhynchinae are found globally, but not in Antarctica, Oceania, New Zealand, and southern South America. Hence, Statement III is incorrect.

Additional Information

• Weevils are a type of beetle under the family Curculionidae, which includes over 60,000 species worldwide.
• While many are agricultural pests, some species like Spathaspina noohi help regulate invasive plant species and support ecological balance.
• Ceutorhynchinae beetles can often be identified by their stout bodies, a snout (rostrum) they tuck between their legs when resting, and their visible mesanepimera (except in a few genera).
• The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of Northeast India, particularly in regions like Meghalaya.

The correct answer is Option 4.

In News

• Indravati National Park has been in the news following recent anti-Naxal operations in the region, highlighting its strategic and ecological importance.

Key Points

• Indravati National Park is located in southern Chhattisgarh and was notified as a Tiger Reserve in 1983. Hence, the park described is Indravati.
• It gets its name from the Indravati River, which forms its northern boundary with Maharashtra. Hence, the geographic detail matches Indravati.
• It is home to one of India’s last remaining wild buffalo populations and includes rich deciduous forest ecosystems.Hence, the biodiversity reference also fits Indravati.
• The park connects to Kawal (Telangana), Tadoba (Maharashtra), and Kanha (Madhya Pradesh), forming a crucial part of the Central Indian Tiger Landscape. Hence, the connectivity description confirms it as Indravati.

Additional Information

• The terrain includes elevations ranging between 177 to 599 meters, featuring mixed deciduous forests both with and without teak.
• Fauna includes tiger, leopard, blackbuck, nilgai, sambar, chital, gaur, and sloth bear.
• Conservation in this park is impacted by its status as a Naxal-affected zone, which restricts tourism and patrol efforts.

The correct answer is Option 1.

In News

• CSIR has successfully reported the first flowering and seed setting of Ferula assa-foetida (Heeng) in Palampur, India, marking a major milestone in indigenous cultivation.

Key Points

• Ferula assa-foetida is a perennial plant but it takes five years to mature and flower. Hence, Statement I is incorrect.
• The plant thrives in cold, arid climates with well-drained, sandy soil. Hence, Statement II is correct.
• The plant enters dormancy in extreme cold and dry conditions to survive. Hence, Statement III is correct.

Additional Information

• India traditionally imports Heeng despite having suitable climatic zones for its cultivation, particularly in the Himalayan regions.

The correct answer is option 4.

In News

• The Supreme Court directed the Rajasthan government to halt mining activity within the core zone of this tiger reserve, citing serious ecological risks.

Key Points

• The reserve described lies in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, clearly pointing to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR).
• Bounded by Banas and Chambal rivers, and surrounded by Aravalli and Vindhya ranges, this terrain is unique to RTR.
• The Ranthambore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies within the reserve’s boundaries.
• Known for dry deciduous forests with Dhok trees, and habitat for tigers, leopards, jungle cats, caracals, etc.

Additional Information

• The reserve contains lakes like Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab, and Malik Talab.
• RTR is one of the most famous tiger reserves in northern India and a vital part of Project Tiger.

The correct answer is Option 4.

In News

• Researchers have discovered a new species of bat named the Himalayan Long-Tailed Myotis (Myotis himalaicus) in the Western Himalayas, adding to India's rich bat diversity.

Key Points

• Belongs to the Myotis frater complex, distributed across East and Central Asia.
• Found in Deodar, Pine, and Cedar forests in Uttarakhand and parts of northern Pakistan.
• Medium-sized bat (~3.5 inches), with delicate limbs, long thumbs, and short ears.
• An aerial insectivore, it feeds on moths, mosquitoes, midges, and beetles.

Additional Information

• Bats support ecosystems through pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal.
• Guano from bats is used as a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
• Protecting bat habitats is essential for ecological stability, especially in forested and agricultural landscapes.

The correct answer is 6.

• 6 more 'Ramsar Sites' were added to Uttar Pradesh in January 2020.

Confusion Points 

• After the inclusion of 'Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary' as Ramsar site, now the total number of Ramsar sites in Uttar Pradesh has gone up to 10. (as of February 2022)
• The sites include Nawabganj in Unnao, Parvati Aranga in Gonda, Saman in Mainpuri, Samaspur in Rae Bareli, Sandi in Hardoi and Sarsai Nawar in Etawah.
• The Haiderpur Wetland has been recognised under the 1971 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
• The upper Ganga river, the stretch from Brigghat to Narora was the state's first Ramsar site which was declared in 2005.

Additional Information

• Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty for “the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands”.
• It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands and is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran. 
• The treaty was established in 1971 by UNESCO and came to force in 1975.
• There are 46 Ramsar Sites in India. (As of November 2020).
• Sundarban wetlands are the largest Ramsar site in India.
• Renuka wetland of Himachal Pradesh is the smallest Ramsar site in India.
• Chilka lake and Keoladeo Ghana National Park is the oldest Ramsar site in India which was declared in 1981.

In News

• As of July 2022:
  • Five new wetlands of International importance have been designated in India.
  • With this, the total number of Ramsar sites in the country has increased from 49 to 54 Ramsar sites.
  • Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav said, “Delighted to inform that 5 more Indian wetlands have got Ramsar recognition as wetlands of international importance.”
  • The five newly designated wetlands are:
    • Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
    • Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu
    • Pichavaram Mangrove, Tamil Nadu
    • Pala wetland, Mizoram
    • Sakhya Sagar, Madhya Pradesh.
  • India now has 75 Ramsar sites after the addition of 11 new sites in August 2022.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key PointsPolar Code:

• The Polar Code came into force on 1 January 2017.
• The International Maritime Organization has adopted a mandatory Polar Code to provide for safe ship operation and environmental protection in the polar regions. Hence, Option 1 is correct.
• If you operate a SOLAS or MARPOL ship in Arctic or Antarctic waters, then your ship will need to comply with all or part of this Code.
• The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (the Polar Code) is a new code adopted by the IMO.
• The Code acknowledges that polar waters may impose additional demands on ships beyond those normally encountered.
• It provides a mandatory framework for ships operating in polar waters.
• The main requirements are related to safety, protection of the environment, and seafarer competence, and it is implemented through amendments to International Maritime Conventions such as SOLAS, MARPOL, and the STCW.
• IMO's International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) is mandatory under both the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
• The Polar Code covers the full range of environmental protection matters relevant to the design, construction, equipment, operation, training, search and rescue, and ships operating in the inaccessible waters around the two poles.
• The Polar Code applies to certain ships that will operate on domestic or international voyages in Arctic or Antarctic waters.

The correct answer is Food and Agriculture Organization.

• The Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) is released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• The FRA 2020 is based on the assessment of more than 60 forest-related variables in 236 countries and territories in the period of 1990–2020.

Key Points

• Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) provides essential information for understanding the extent of forest resources, their condition, management and uses.
• The latest of these assessments, FRA 2020, examines the status of, and trends in, more than 60 forest-related variables in 236 countries and territories in the period 1990–2020.
  • The world has a total forest area of 4.06 billion hectares, which is 31 percent of the total land area.
  • Although forests are not distributed equally among the world’s peoples or geographically.
  • The tropical domain has the largest proportion of the world’s forests (45 percent), followed by the boreal, temperate and subtropical domains.
  • Around 54 percent of the world’s forests are in only five countries: the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, and China. 

The correct answer is Space Research.

Important Points

• In September 2015, the General Assembly of the United Nation adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Building on the principle of “leaving no one behind”, the new Agenda emphasizes a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all
• The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to transform our world:
  • GOAL 1: No Poverty
  • GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
  • GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • GOAL 4: Quality Education
  • GOAL 5: Gender Equality
  • GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  • GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality
  • GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • GOAL 13: Climate Action
  • GOAL 14: Life Below Water
  • GOAL 15: Life on Land
  • GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
  • GOAL 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal

The correct answer is Jorhat.

Key Points

• India's first pure green hydrogen plant was commissioned in Jorhat.
  • The green hydrogen plant was commissioned in 3 months at the Jorhat Pump Station.
  • ​It is an initiative of Oil India Limited (OIL).
  • It has a capacity of 10 kg per day.

Additional Information

•  Types of hydrogen fuel are:
  • Green Hydrogen - It is produced by electrolysis of H₂O using renewable energy sources like Solar, Wind, etc.
  • Brown Hydrogen - It is produced using coal.
  • Grey Hydrogen - It is produced using natural gas when the emission is released. 
  • Blue Hydrogen - It is produced using natural gas when the emission is captured.

The correct answer is 1972.

Key Points

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 provides for the protection of Wild Animals, Birds, and Plants and issues concerned with them.
• It consists of total VI schedules
  • Schedule I and II – Provides absolute protection and offenses under these prescribed the highest penalties.
  • Schedule III and IV - Also protected but the penalties are much lower.
  • Schedule V - Includes animals that may be hunted.
  • Schedule VI - Provides for prohibition from cultivation and planting of specified plants.

Additional Information

The correct answer is 2019.

Key Points

• National Clean Air Programme was launched by the Central Government in the year 2019.
• The programme was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• It was directed by The National Green Tribunal.
• It is a long-term, time-bound, national-level strategy which focuses to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner with targets to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in Particulate Matter concentrations by 2024
• The base year for the comparison of concentration is 2017.

Additional Information

• The National Air Quality Index (AQI) in India was launched in September 2014 in New Delhi under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
• Air Quality Index is calculated using eight pollutants namely particulate matter (PM) 10, PM2. 5, Ozone (O₃), Sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb) and ammonia (NH₃).
• As per Central Pollution Control Board air quality standards, AQI is categorised into six parts.
  • AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘good’,
  • Between  51-100 ‘satisfactory’,
  • Between 101-200 ‘moderate’,
  • Between 201-300 ‘poor’,
  • Between  301-400 ‘very poor’
  • Between  401-500 ‘severe’.

The correct answer is ​the Foundation for Environmental Education.

Key Points

• Blue Flag is a world-renowned award for beaches, marinas and boats, implemented in over 45 countries.
• It is operated under the auspices of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international not-for-profit organization.
• ​Headquartered - Copenhagen, Denmark.
• The Blue Flag programme:
  • Sustainable management of beach spaces, responsible tourism and the conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems is at the heart of the Blue Flag programme.
  • Education:
    • Central to the ideals of the Blue Flag programme is the aim of connecting the public with their surroundings and encouraging them to learn more about their environment. 
  • Information:
    • Informing visitors about the site they are visiting is an essential part of the Blue Flag programme. This allows people to easily navigate the area and to learn a little more about the indigenous flora and fauna. 
  • Monitoring 
    • Stringent criteria and regular spot checks help to encourage compliance of Blue Flag sites, which are also subject to comprehensive control visits. 

Important Points

• Eight beaches in India have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag certification. 
• 10 beaches are: 

The correct answer is 137.

Key Points

• As of August 2019, 137 Himalayan peaks are open for trekking for domestic and foreign mountaineers. Hence
• The government of India has allowed access to 137 mountain peaks to foreigners desirous of obtaining a Mountaineering Visa for mountaineering and trekking.
• These Himalayan peaks are located in the States of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.
• In the recently concluded National Tourism Conference, New Delhi, in which Tourism Ministers from States/UTs participated, the Tourism Minister emphasized utilizing the adventure tourism potential in the Indian economy and the need for ensuring the safety of those travelers going for adventure tourism.
• The highest number of 51 peaks in Uttarakhand and 15 peaks of Jammu and Kashmir have also been included in the list.
• Now foreigners can directly apply to Indian Mountaineering Foundation for permits.
• The home ministry has clarified that for carrying satellite phones the expedition teams have to take prior permissions from the department of telecommunication and all information gathered during the journey has to be shared with local formations.
• The Indian Adventure Tourism Guidelines 2018 cover land, air, and water-based activities including mountaineering, trekking, paragliding, bungee jumping, river rafting, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and many other sports.

Additional Information

• The Himalayas:
  • It is the highest and the youngest fold mountain range of the world.
  • Their geological structure is young, weak, and flexible since the Himalayan uplift is an ongoing process, making them one of the highest earthquake-prone regions of the world.
  • The Himalayas are believed to have formed over 50 million years ago with the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian plate.
  • The Indian plate slid below the Eurasian plate, due to its density being higher, and in the process crumbling and buckling up the Eurasian plate into the various mountain ranges that are now a part of the Himalayas.
  • The Himalayas are a series of parallel mountain ranges extending along the North-West to the South-East direction (known as the Strike of the Himalayas).
  • These ranges are separated by longitudinal valleys.
  • They include,
    • Trans-Himalayas
    • The Greater Himalayas or Himadri
    • The Lesser Himalayas or Himachal
    • Shivalik or the Outer Himalayas
    • The Eastern Hills or Purvanchal

The correct answer is Karnataka.

• World's largest solar park launched in Karnataka
• In BENGALURU, the world's largest solar park set up at an investment of Rs 16,500 crore at Pavagada in Karnataka's Tumakuru district was launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
• The 2,000 MW park, named 'Shakti Sthala', spans 13,000 acres spread over five villages and is a benchmark in the unique people's participation in the power model put on the ground, according to officials.
• The park's development is anchored by the Karnataka Solar Power Development Corp. Ltd (KSPDCL), an entity formed in March 2015 as a joint venture between Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL) and Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI).