Question 1

Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience ?
1. Mangroves reduce tidal energy and store freshwater, making them ideal sites for paddy cultivation in saline estuarine belts.
2. Their salt-sensitive roots filter seawater, making mangroves key to converting coastal land into freshwater aquaculture zones.
3. By withstanding tidal surges and offering biomass resources, mangroves function both as natural bio-shields and livelihood bases for rural communities.

Accepted Answer

2 and 3. * Statement 1 is incorrect: Mangrove soils are highly saline, tidal, waterlogged, and oxygen-deficient, making them completely unsuitable for normal paddy cultivation. * Statement 2 is incorrect: Although mangroves selectively filter out a large percentage of salts at the root surface to survive, they do not desalinate ocean water to convert coastal terrains into freshwater aquaculture zones. * Statement 3 is correct: Mangroves serve as highly effective natural bio-shields against cyclones, storm surges, and coastal erosion while simultaneously providing vital biomass resources (fuelwood, honey, timber) and nursing estuarine fisheries that sustain local communities.

Question 2

Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?
1. Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas
2. Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions
3. Enhancing productivity and minimising climatic risks through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
Select the answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

2 and 3. * Statement 1 is incorrect: The RAD programme actively promotes diversified and multi-cropping farming systems, not monoculture. * Statement 2 is incorrect: As the name indicates, the RAD component specifically targets rainfed agricultural zones, not irrigated regions. * Statement 3 is correct: The core focus of RAD is to introduce site-specific Integrated Farming System (IFS) models to enhance agricultural productivity and minimize risks associated with climate variability.

Question 3

Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry?
1. It allows Indian exporters to compete in high-end markets that prioritise chemical-free products.
2. It confirms that Eri Silk meets international safety, environmental, and quality standards, enabling its entry into premium eco-conscious markets.
Select the answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

2 only. * Both statements are correct: The OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 is a globally recognized certification indicating that a textile product has been tested and cleared of harmful substances. Achieving this certification for Indian Eri Silk confirms compliance with stringent global safety and environmental metrics, allowing Indian exporters to tap into premium, eco-conscious, high-end global textile markets.

Question 4

With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025.
2. Sakhya Sagar, which is designated as a Ramsar Site, is situated within this National Park.
3. Its area is shared between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Select the answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

1 only. * Statement 1 is correct: Madhav National Park, situated near Shivpuri town in Madhya Pradesh, was officially notified as India's 58th Tiger Reserve. * Statement 2 is correct: Sakhya Sagar, a reservoir situated within the boundaries of this National Park, was designated as a Ramsar wetland site in 2022. * Statement 3 is incorrect: Madhav National Park is entirely located within the state of Madhya Pradesh; its area is not shared with Rajasthan.

Question 5

Which one of the following is the first Plan Vivo certified Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project in India?

Accepted Answer

ICFRE-ICIMOD Transboundary REDD+ project in North-Eastern Himalayas. * Khasi Hills Community REDD+ project: Located in Meghalaya, this community-based ecosystem initiative actively involves local indigenous communities in forest conservation, restoration, and sustainable livelihoods. * It became the first REDD+ project in India to receive formal certification under the international Plan Vivo Standard.

Question 6

One of the following regions has the world's largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effect on the global climate.

Which one of the following denotes that region?

Accepted Answer

Amazon Basin. * (b) Congo Basin is correct: According to environmental assessments released by the UNEP, the peat swamp forests of the Congo Basin house the world's largest contiguous tropical peatland system. This unique ecosystem sequester and stores roughly 29 billion tons of carbon—an immense amount equivalent to three years' worth of global greenhouse gas emissions, making its preservation vital for global climate stability.

Question 7

Consider the following plants:
1. Groundnut
2. Horse-gram
3. Soybean

How many of the above belong to the pea family?

Accepted Answer

Only two. * All three plants belong to the pea family: The botanical family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), commonly referred to as the legume, bean, or pea family, constitutes an agriculturally vital group of flowering plants. * Item 1 is a member: Groundnut (or peanut) is botanically classified as a member of the Fabaceae family. * Item 2 is a member: Horse-gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) is a tropical annual legume native to South Asia belonging to the Fabaceae family. * Item 3 is a member: Soybean is a widely cultivated oilseed legume native to East Asia that also falls under the Fabaceae family.

Question 8

Which one of the following is the correct description of "100 Million Farmers"?

Accepted Answer

It is a platform for accelerating the transition towards food and water systems that are net-zero (carbon), nature-positive and that aims to increase farmer resilience.. * (a) is correct: "100 Million Farmers" is a global multi-stakeholder platform launched under the aegis of the World Economic Forum (WEF). It brings together public and private sector leaders to position food producers at the center of the global ecological agenda, accelerating collective action to transition toward climate-smart, nature-positive, net-zero carbon agricultural practices while building farmer resilience.

Question 9

Consider the following:
1. Cashew
2. Papaya
3. Red sanders

How many of the above trees are actually native to India?

Accepted Answer

Only one. * Item 1 is incorrect: The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) is native to northeastern Brazil and was introduced to India by Portuguese traders in the late 16th century. * Item 2 is incorrect: The Papaya plant is native to the tropical zones of Central America and southern Mexico, arriving in India via historical trade links crossing the Philippines. * Item 3 is correct: Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is an endemic tree species whose native wild habitat is strictly restricted to specific dry deciduous forest zones of Andhra Pradesh, India. * Therefore, only one tree (Red Sanders) is native to India.

Environment: Forests, Parks & Botany PYQ.

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