Question 1

Consider the following statements regarding Tundra ecosystems:
1. Alpine tundra extends as a continuous belt below the polar ice cap in the northern hemisphere.
2. Mammals in the tundra region typically have short life cycles and large ears to regulate body temperature.
3. Alpine tundra can be found at various latitudes, unlike Arctic tundra.

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. Arctic tundra, not Alpine, extends as a continuous belt below the polar ice cap. Alpine tundra occurs at high mountains. Statement 2 is incorrect. Tundra mammals are characterized by large body size and small ears to avoid heat loss. It is the insects in the tundra that have short life cycles. Statement 3 is correct. Alpine tundra is found on high mountains, and since mountains are located at all latitudes, this ecosystem type is not restricted to polar regions.

Question 2

With reference to terrestrial ecosystems and the Tundra biome, consider the following statements:
1. The most important limiting factors for terrestrial ecosystems are topographic features and biotic diversity.
2. Mammals in the tundra have adaptations like large body size and small ears primarily to facilitate heat loss in the severe environment.
3. The flora of the tundra, such as arctic willow, is characterized by extremely short lifespans due to the harsh conditions.

Accepted Answer

None. Statement 1 is incorrect. The most important limiting factors of terrestrial ecosystems are moisture and temperature. Statement 2 is incorrect. The adaptations of large body size, small tail, and small ears in tundra mammals serve to conserve body heat and avoid its loss to the cold environment. Statement 3 is incorrect. Tundra flora like the arctic willow can exhibit long lifespans, with some living for 150 to 300 years as an adaptation.

Question 3

Consider the following pairs:
1. Arctic Tundra : Found at all latitudes
2. Tundra Mammals : Small body size and large tails
3. Tundra Insects : Short life cycles
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only one pair. Pair 1 is incorrectly matched. Alpine tundra, not Arctic tundra, is found at all latitudes on high mountains. Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Tundra mammals have large body size and small tails to minimize heat loss. Pair 3 is correctly matched. Insects in the tundra have short life cycles that are completed during the brief favorable periods of the year.

Question 4

With reference to the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), consider the following statements:
1. CAMPA was constituted and became fully operational in 2004 following a Supreme Court order to manage funds for compensatory afforestation.
2. A permanent institutional mechanism for CAMPA was established with the passing of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2008.
3. In the absence of a permanent body, an ad-hoc authority was created, which includes a representative from the Comptroller and Auditor General.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. While CAMPA was constituted in 2004 under Supreme Court orders, it could not become operational due to the non-passing of the relevant bill. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2008, was not passed and eventually lapsed, preventing the establishment of a permanent institutional mechanism at that time. Statement 3 is correct. An ad-hoc authority was established to manage the funds, and its composition includes two officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, one representative of the Comptroller and Auditor General, and one representative of the Chairperson of the Central Empowered Committee.

Question 5

Consider the following statements regarding government afforestation initiatives:
1. The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) is a flagship programme of the Forest Development Agencies (FDAs).
2. The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) is the primary body responsible for levying and managing funds for compensatory afforestation under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
3. Under the NAP, the NAEB provides physical and capacity-building support to the FDAs, which act as the implementing agencies.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) is a flagship programme of the National Afforestation and Eco-development Board (NAEB), not the Forest Development Agencies (FDAs). The FDAs are the implementing agencies of the programme. Statement 2 is incorrect. The responsibility for managing funds collected for compensatory afforestation under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, lies with the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), not the NAEB. Statement 3 is correct. The NAEB provides physical and capacity-building support to the FDAs, which are the designated implementing agencies for the NAP.

Question 6

With reference to the financial mechanisms proposed under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015, consider the following statements:
1. The Bill provides for the establishment of a single, consolidated National Fund under the public accounts of India to receive all monies from user agencies.
2. The National Fund is designated to receive 90% of the payments for compensatory afforestation and Net Present Value (NPV) of forests, with the remainder going to State Funds.
3. The collected funds are to be utilized for activities such as artificial regeneration, assisted natural regeneration, and wildlife protection.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. The Bill provides for the establishment of funds under the public accounts of India AND the public accounts of each State, not a single national fund. Statement 2 is incorrect. The proposed structure allocates 10% of the funds to the National Fund and the remaining 90% to the State Funds; the statement reverses this ratio. Statement 3 is correct. The Bill specifies that the collected monies are to be utilized for undertaking artificial regeneration (plantations), assisted natural regeneration, protection of forests, wildlife protection, and other related activities.

Question 7

With reference to popular forest conservation movements in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Chipko movement's methods of non-violent resistance were later adopted by the Appiko movement in southern India.
2. The first recorded event of tree-hugging as a protest, involving the Bishnoi community, occurred in the Garhwal Himalayas.
3. The Appiko movement began in the 1970s as a direct response to deforestation in Karnataka.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is correct. The Chipko movement, which practiced Gandhian methods, inspired the villagers of Karnataka to launch the similar Appiko movement. Statement 2 is incorrect. The first recorded event involving the Bishnoi community took place in Khejri village, Jodhpur district, in 1730 AD, not in the Garhwal Himalayas. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Appiko movement began in September 1983, which is in the 1980s, not the 1970s.

Question 8

Consider the following pairs:

1. Reni village : Site of the 18th-century Bishnoi sacrifice led by Amrita Devi.
2. Khejri village : Location of the landmark 1974 event of the modern Chipko movement.
3. Kalase forest : Site where the Appiko movement was initiated.

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only one pair. Pair 1 is incorrectly matched. Reni village was the site of the landmark event of the modern Chipko movement in 1974. The 18th-century Bishnoi sacrifice occurred in Khejri village. Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Khejri village was the site of the 1730 AD event. The 1974 event took place in Reni village. Pair 3 is correctly matched. The Appiko movement was launched in September 1983 when people hugged trees in the Kalase forest.

Question 9

Consider the following statements regarding the Chipko Movement:

1. It was a social-ecological movement that exclusively originated in the 20th century in the Garhwal Himalayas.
2. The movement's influence led to the formulation of forest policies that stopped open tree felling in regions like the Vindhyas and the Western Ghats.
3. The landmark event in 1974 was primarily a struggle by peasant women to reclaim traditional forest rights from the state's contractor system.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is incorrect. While the modern movement started in the 1970s, the first recorded event of Chipko took place in 1730 AD in Khejri village, Jodhpur. Therefore, it did not exclusively originate in the 20th century. Statement 2 is correct. By the 1980s, the movement had spread and led to people-sensitive forest policies that put a stop to open felling of trees in regions as far-reaching as the Vindhyas and the Western Ghats. Statement 3 is correct. The landmark event on March 26, 1974, involved peasant women in Reni village acting to prevent tree cutting and reclaim their traditional forest rights threatened by the contractor system of the state Forest Department.

Question 10

With reference to Shola forests, consider the following statements:
1. These forests are a type of temperate ecosystem primarily found in sheltered valleys and depressions of the Western Ghats.
2. Their primary ecological role is water conservation for the region.
3. They are characteristically found in swampy soils where adjacent slopes converge.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct. Shola forests are temperate ecosystems located in the Nilgiris and Palani hills (part of the Western Ghats) and are confined to sheltered valleys, hollows, and depressions. Statement 2 is correct. The main role of the Shola forest is the conservation of water in its region. Statement 3 is incorrect. Shola forests require well-drained soils and explicitly avoid swampy soils.

Question 11

Consider the following statements regarding the soil characteristics of boreal coniferous forests:
1. The soils are typically alkaline-oriented due to the slow decomposition of conifer needles which releases a high concentration of cations like calcium and potassium.
2. The process of podzolization is characteristic of these forests, leading to thin, mineral-deficient soils.
3. High rainfall and significant water movement through the soil profile lead to the leaching of essential soluble nutrients beyond the reach of plant roots.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is incorrect. Boreal forest soils are acidic, not alkaline. The litter from conifer needles is not rich in nutrients, and its slow decomposition contributes to organic acids, not a high concentration of alkaline cations. Statement 2 is correct. Boreal forest soils are characterized by thin podzols, which are poor in nutrients. Statement 3 is correct. A large amount of water moves through the soil, causing leaching, where essential soluble nutrients like calcium, nitrogen, and potassium are washed away, making the soil mineral deficient.

Question 12

Consider the following pairs:
1. Coniferous Forest : Characterized by broad-leafed evergreen trees and nutrient-rich podzol soils.
2. Shola Forest : An ecosystem interrupted by grasslands and requiring well-drained soils.
3. Boreal Forest : Found in cold regions with long winters and populated by animals like lynx, wolf, and bear.

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. Pair 1 is incorrectly matched. Coniferous forests are characterized by needle-leafed evergreen trees, not broad-leafed ones. Their podzol soils are poor in nutrients, not nutrient-rich. Pair 2 is correctly matched. Shola forests are described as being interrupted by grasslands and requiring well-drained soils while avoiding swampy ones. Pair 3 is correctly matched. Boreal forest is another name for coniferous forest, which is found in cold regions with long winters and is home to species such as the lynx, wolf, and bear.

Question 13

Consider the following statements regarding grassland ecosystems:
1. In savanna ecosystems, forage is available from grass regrowth during the dry season.
2. Steppe formations are characterized by forage availability only during the brief wet season.
3. Grasslands are typically found in regions where annual rainfall is less than that of a true desert.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct. In savannas, forage is largely from grasses that grow during the wet season and also from a smaller amount of regrowth in the dry season. Statement 2 is correct. In steppe ecosystems, all forage is provided only during the brief wet season. Statement 3 is incorrect. Grasslands are found where rainfall is more than that of a true desert, but not enough to support a forest.

Question 14

Consider the following pairs:
1. Moist sub-humid zone : Peninsular India (except Nilgiri)
2. Dry sub-humid zone : Ganga alluvial plain
3. Semi-arid zone : Northern Gujarat and western Uttar Pradesh
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only one pair. Pair 1 is incorrectly matched. The Moist sub-humid zone covers the Ganga alluvial plain. The Dry sub-humid zone covers the whole of peninsular India (except Nilgiri). Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. The Dry sub-humid zone covers peninsular India, while the Moist sub-humid zone covers the Ganga alluvial plain. Pair 3 is correctly matched. The Semi-arid zone covers the northern portion of Gujarat, Rajasthan (excluding Aravallis), western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab.

Question 15

With reference to the grassland ecosystems in Rajasthan, consider the following statements:
1. In western Rajasthan, steppe formations are associated with an average annual rainfall of about 500 mm.
2. Dry savanna ecosystems in central and eastern Rajasthan are characterized by a dry season of 10 to 11 months.
3. In the savanna ecosystems of Rajasthan, the light shade cast by trees like Khejri is stated to favour the growth of grasses.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. Steppe formations in western Rajasthan are found where the average rainfall is less than 200 mm per year. An average rainfall of about 500 mm is associated with dry savanna ecosystems in central and eastern parts of Rajasthan. Statement 2 is incorrect. Dry savanna ecosystems in central and eastern Rajasthan have a dry season of six to eight months. A dry season of 10 to 11 months is characteristic of the steppe formations in western Rajasthan. Statement 3 is correct. In the dry savanna grazing ecosystems of central and eastern Rajasthan, the light shade from sparse trees like Khejri favours the growth of grasses.

Question 16

With reference to adaptations in desert ecosystems, consider the following statements:
1. To conserve water, desert plants are often nocturnal, performing photosynthesis only at night.
2. Lizards are adapted to desert life by being fast runners and obtaining water primarily from the seeds they consume.
3. Mammals as a group are poorly adapted to deserts, with only a few nocturnal rodent species being able to survive without drinking water.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. Nocturnal habits to avoid the sun's heat are a behavioral adaptation of desert animals, not plants. While some desert plants have specialized photosynthetic pathways (like CAM), the text attributes nocturnal habits to animals. Statement 2 is incorrect. While lizards are fast runners, they are described as mostly insectivorous. Herbivorous animals, not lizards, get sufficient water from the seeds they eat. Statement 3 is correct. Mammals as a group are described as poorly adapted to deserts, but it is noted that some species, such as a few nocturnal rodents, have become secondarily adapted and can live without drinking water.

Question 17

Consider the following statements regarding the formation and characteristics of desert ecosystems:
1. Deserts are exclusively defined as regions receiving less than 25 cm of annual rainfall.
2. In temperate regions, deserts are often formed in 'rain shadows' created by stable high-pressure zones that block moisture.
3. The productivity of a desert ecosystem is almost directly dependent on its rainfall, as water is the dominant limiting factor.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. Deserts are formed in regions with less than 25 cm of annual rainfall, or sometimes in hot regions with more but unevenly distributed rainfall. The definition is not exclusive to the 25 cm metric. Statement 2 is incorrect. Rain shadows are formed where high mountains block moisture from the seas. Stable high-pressure zones are a separate cause for lack of rain, often in the mid-latitudes. The statement incorrectly links the cause (high-pressure zones) with the effect (rain shadows). Statement 3 is correct. Water is identified as the dominant limiting factor, and consequently, the productivity of a desert is almost directly dependent on the amount of rainfall it receives.

Question 18

With reference to desert ecosystems and human intervention, consider the following statements:
1. The application of irrigation can convert deserts into productive agricultural land, but this process can lead to the gradual accumulation of salts in the soil.
2. Annual plants in deserts are adapted to germinate and reproduce during the summer and winter to take advantage of the long daylight hours.
3. In desert plants, the root system is typically shallow and concentrated to quickly absorb surface moisture from brief rain events.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is correct. Irrigation can make desert soils productive, but as large volumes of water pass through the system, salts may be left behind and accumulate over the years, eventually becoming a limiting factor. Statement 2 is incorrect. Annual plants in deserts are adapted to germinate, bloom, and reproduce only during the short rainy season, not in summer and winter. This is an adaptation to avoid the hostile dry conditions. Statement 3 is incorrect. The root system of desert plants is described as well-developed and spread over a large area, which is an adaptation to seek out water over a wide volume of soil, not just a shallow, concentrated area.

Question 19

With reference to the causes of deforestation, consider the following statements:
1. In shifting cultivation, a patch of land is typically used for raising crops for a period of two to three years before it is abandoned.
2. The practice of shifting cultivation is characterized by a high level of mechanisation and complex tools.
3. Underground mining contributes to deforestation primarily through the use of timber for supporting the roofs of mine galleries.

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct. Shifting cultivation involves using a patch of land for raising crops for two to three years, after which the area is abandoned to recover its fertility. Statement 2 is incorrect. The method of shifting cultivation requires only a set of simple tools and is not characterized by a high level of mechanisation. Statement 3 is correct. A significant cause of forest denudation from underground mining is the use of timber to construct supports for the roofs of mine galleries.

Question 20

Consider the following statements regarding the environmental impacts of deforestation:
1. Deforestation leads to an immediate lowering of the groundwater level.
2. The process of transpiration by forests recycles soil moisture into the atmosphere, which can later precipitate as rain.
3. The disruption of the natural water reuse cycle by deforestation results in increased water loss through rapid run-off.

Accepted Answer

All three. Statement 1 is correct. One of the immediate effects of deforestation is the lowering of the groundwater level. Statement 2 is correct. Forests play a key role in the water cycle by recycling moisture from the soil back into the immediate atmosphere via transpiration, where it can then precipitate as rain. Statement 3 is correct. When deforestation breaks the natural reuse cycle of water, moisture is not effectively recycled, leading to its loss from the local system through rapid surface run-off.

Question 21

Consider the following pairs:
(Raw Material from Forests : Industrial Use)
1. Wood : Making paper and match sticks
2. Latex : Production of tannins
3. Resins : Used in scents and perfumes
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched based on industrial requirements for forest products?

Accepted Answer

Only one pair. Pair 1 is correctly matched. Wood is used as a raw material by various industries for making products such as paper and match sticks. Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Latex and tannins are listed as two separate types of raw materials obtained from plants by industries; one is not used for the production of the other. Pair 3 is incorrectly matched. Resins, and scents and perfumes, are listed as separate categories of raw materials that industries obtain from plants. The text does not state that resins are used to make scents and perfumes.

Question 22

Consider the following statements regarding desertification:
1. The principal cause of the desertification process is identified as climatic changes and droughts.
2. Shifting cultivation, a practice that does not require a high level of mechanisation, is a contributing factor to desertification.
3. In arid and semi-arid regions, the restoration of fragile ecosystems is a rapid process once human intervention ceases.

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. The cause of the desertification process is explicitly stated to be human actions, not climatic changes or droughts. Statement 2 is correct. Shifting cultivation is listed as a cause of desertification and is described as a method requiring only simple tools, not a high level of mechanisation. Statement 3 is incorrect. The restoration of fragile ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions is described as being very slow.

Question 23

With reference to India's efforts and status concerning land degradation, consider the following statements:
1. The 'Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India' is an official publication of the Space Application Centre, ISRO.
2. India's national commitment includes achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by the year 2030.
3. India's current target for land restoration by 2030 is to restore 21 million hectares of degraded land.

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is correct. The 'Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India' is published by the Space Application Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad. Statement 2 is incorrect. India is striving towards achieving the national commitments of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2022, not 2030. The 2030 target is for land restoration. Statement 3 is incorrect. India has committed to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, which is an enhanced target from the earlier 21 million hectares.

Question 24

Consider the following statements about the causes of desertification:
1. The total area undergoing the process of land degradation in India is approximately 29.07% of the country's total land area.
2. Industries contribute to forest degradation by exploiting resources for timber-based products like paper and plywood, but not for non-timber products like gums or resins.
3. Development projects such as hydroelectric projects and the laying of railway lines are linked with environmental problems, including deforestation.

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct. The total area undergoing land degradation in India is 97.85 million hectares, which constitutes 29.07% of India's total land area. Statement 2 is incorrect. Industries obtain various raw materials from plants, including not only wood for paper and plywood but also non-timber products such as resin, gums, waxes, and turpentine. Statement 3 is correct. Development projects like hydroelectric projects and the laying of railway lines and roads are linked with several environmental problems, and many require immense deforestation.

Question 25

Consider the following statements regarding the classification of Indian forests:
1. Tropical Wet evergreen forests are characterized by species such as sal, teak, and bamboo.
2. Littoral and swamp forests possess trees with roots composed of soft tissue, which facilitates respiration in water.
3. In the Sub-tropical Broad-leaved forests of the Silent Valley, the predominant flora includes oak, alder, and chestnut.

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. The dominant species in Tropical Moist deciduous forests are sal and teak, along with bamboo. Tropical Wet evergreen forests are characterized by jackfruit, betel nut palm, jamun, mango, and hollock. Statement 2 is correct. Littoral and swamp forests are found in delta areas and have roots consisting of soft tissue so that the plant can breathe in the water. Statement 3 is incorrect. In the Sub-tropical Broad-leaved forests, the flora of the Silent Valley is predominated by poonspar, cinnamon, rhododendron, and fragrant grass. Oak, alder, and chestnut are found in the Eastern Himalayan region of these same forests.

Question 26

Consider the following pairs:
1. Tropical Thorn forests : Found in areas with black soil.
2. Tropical Dry deciduous forest : Canopy height does not normally exceed 10 metres.
3. Sub-tropical Dry evergreen forests : Found along the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka coast.
4. Tropical Semi-evergreen forests : A mixture of wet evergreen and moist deciduous trees.
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. Pair 1 is correctly matched. Tropical Thorn forests are found in areas with black soil in North, West, Central, and South India. Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. The canopy of Tropical Dry deciduous forests does not normally exceed 25 metres. It is the trees of Tropical Thorn forests that do not grow beyond 10 metres. Pair 3 is incorrectly matched. Tropical Dry evergreen forests are found along the Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka coast. Sub-tropical Dry evergreen forests are found in the Shivalik Hills and foothills of the Himalayas. Pair 4 is correctly matched. Tropical Semi-evergreen forests have a mixture of wet evergreen trees and moist deciduous trees.

Question 27

With reference to the structural characteristics and distribution of forest types in India, consider the following statements:
1. Tropical Wet evergreen forests exhibit a distinct tier pattern where shrubs form the uppermost layer, followed by short trees, with tall trees covering the layer closer to the ground.
2. Tropical Moist deciduous forests are characterized by tall trees with broad trunks and branching roots, and some of these trees shed their leaves during the dry season.
3. Sub-tropical Pine forests are predominantly found on the steep dry slopes of the Western Ghats and along the Silent Valley.

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. The tier pattern in Tropical Wet evergreen forests involves shrubs covering the layer closer to the ground, followed by short structured trees, and then the tall variety forming the top layer. The statement reverses this order. Statement 2 is correct. Moist deciduous forests have tall trees with broad trunks and branching roots, and some of the taller trees are known to shed their leaves in the dry season. Statement 3 is incorrect. Sub-tropical Pine forests are found in the steep dry slopes of the Shivalik Hills, Western and Central Himalayas, and the Khasi, Naga, and Manipur Hills, not the Western Ghats or Silent Valley.

Question 28

With reference to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, consider the following statements:

1. For the first time, the ISFR assessed forest cover within tiger reserves and the Gir forest.
2. Between the years 2011 and 2021, the overall forest cover in the country's tiger reserves showed a net increase.
3. Among the tiger reserves, Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh has the highest percentage of its area under forest cover.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct: The ISFR 2021 introduced new features, which included for the first time an assessment of forest cover in tiger reserves, tiger corridors, and the Gir forest. Statement 2 is incorrect: The report indicates that between 2011-2021, the forest cover in tiger reserves has decreased by 22.6 sq km (0.04%), not increased. Statement 3 is correct: The report explicitly states that Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh has the highest forest cover, at nearly 97%.

Question 29

Consider the following statements regarding the methodology and publication of the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR):

1. The ISFR is published by the Forest Survey of India on an annual basis.
2. The ISFR 2021 utilized data from the LISS III sensor of the indigenous Resourcesat - II satellite.
3. The assessment process relies solely on satellite data interpretation without any subsequent ground verification.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect: The State of Forests Report is published on a biennial basis (once every two years) since 1987, not annually. Statement 2 is correct: The ISFR 2021 is based on the interpretation of LISS III sensor data from the indigenous Resourcesat - II satellite. Statement 3 is incorrect: The report's methodology clearly states that the satellite data interpretation is followed by extensive and rigorous ground truthing, meaning it is not the final step and does not stand alone.

Question 30

With reference to the findings on climate change and forest fires in the ISFR 2021, consider the following statements:

1. By 2030, all states in the North-Eastern region of India are projected to become highly vulnerable climate hot spots.
2. Ladakh, which has a very low forest cover, is projected to be the region most affected by climate change.
3. The number of detected forest fire hotspots more than doubled between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 assessment periods.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is incorrect: The report specifies that all states will be highly vulnerable climate hot spots *except* Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Nagaland. Therefore, not all North-Eastern states are projected to be highly vulnerable. Statement 2 is correct: The report explicitly mentions that Ladakh is likely to be the most affected region by climate change. Statement 3 is correct: The number of detected forest fire hotspots increased from 1.2 lakh in 2019-20 to 3.4 lakh in 2020-21, which is an increase of more than double.

Question 31

With reference to The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, consider the following statements:
1. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the designated nodal agency for the implementation of the Act.
2. The maximum limit of forest land for which rights can be recognized for an individual or community is 4 hectares.
3. The rights conferred under this Act are both heritable and alienable.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. The Nodal Agency for the implementation of the Act is the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), not the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Statement 2 is correct. The Act specifies that the maximum limit for recognizing rights on forest land is 4 hectares. Statement 3 is incorrect. The rights conferred under the Act are specified as being heritable but not alienable.

Question 32

Consider the following statements regarding the National Forest Policy, 1988:
1. A key objective of the policy is to encourage the substitution of wood.
2. The policy's scope for checking desertification is limited to the desert areas of Rajasthan.
3. The principal aim of the policy is to increase the productivity of forests to meet essential national needs.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is correct. One of the stated objectives of the policy is encouraging efficient utilisation of forest produce and maximising substitution of wood. Statement 2 is incorrect. The policy aims at checking the extension of sand-dunes in the desert areas of Rajasthan and also along the coastal tracts. Statement 3 is incorrect. Increasing forest productivity to meet national needs is listed as an objective, but the principal aim of the policy is to ensure environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance.

Question 33

With reference to The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, consider the following statements:
1. The Act defines 'minor forest produce' to include all non-timber forest produce, explicitly including bamboo.
2. The right of ownership and access to collect minor forest produce is restricted to the areas within the village boundaries.
3. For the first time, the Act recognizes the right to intellectual property and traditional knowledge related to biodiversity.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct. The Act's definition of 'minor forest produce' is stated to include all non-timber forest produce of plant origin, and the provided list explicitly includes bamboo. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Act recognizes the right to collect, use, and dispose of minor forest produce which has been traditionally collected within or outside village boundaries. Statement 3 is correct. The Act is noted for recognizing for the first time the right to intellectual property and traditional knowledge related to biodiversity and cultural diversity.

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