TARGET OCS 2020 DAILY QUIZ DAY – 9 DATE : 02-10-2020

ENVIRONMENT Q Questions Answers NO Q1 Which of the following best describes Forest Correct Option: (c) PLUS 2.0 that is often mentioned in the Explanation: Option (c) is correct: It is a five- news? year (a) Plantation Drive in Arrey Forest programme initiated in December 2018 that (b) Program to increase Forest cover in focuses on developing tools and techniques North-East. to bolster ecosystem management and (c) Ecosystem and Forest landscape harnessing ecosystem services in forest management program landscape management. (d) Tribal Culture Conservation Program Supplementary notes: Forest PLUS 2.0 US Agency for International Development (USAID) and ’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) officially launched Forest-PLUS 2.0 on September 25, 2019. It is a five-year programme initiated in December 2018 that focuses on developing tools and techniques to bolster ecosystem management and harnessing ecosystem services in forest landscape management. The programme’s first set focused on capacity building to help India participate in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+). It included four pilot projects in Sikkim, Rampur, Shivamogga and Hoshangabad. Forest-PLUS 2.0 comprises pilot project in three landscapes — Gaya in , Thiruvananthapuram in and Medak in Telangana. The choice of these sites was driven by the contrast in their landscapes – Bihar is a forest deficit area, Telangana is a relatively drier area where there is ample scope for community livelihood enhancement and Kerala is rich in biodiversity. The targets of this set are : 1,20,000 hectares of land under improved management New, inclusive economic activity worth $12 million

CIVIL SERVICE CORNER civilservicecorner.in https://t.me/CSCODISHA1 WHATSAPP- 7682092884 Measurable benefits accrued to 800,000 households Three incentive mechanisms demonstrated in managing landscapes for ecosystem services Q2 Recently Soil Organic Carbon was in news. Correct Option: (c) What is it? Explanation: Option (c) is correct: Soil organic (a) Percentage of carbon emitted by carbon fertilizer (SOC) is the largest carbon pool in the (b) Carbon Produced during stubble terrestrial biosphere, is an important burning component of the global carbon cycle. SOC is (c) Amount of carbon stored in the soil the major constituent of soil organic matter (d) Carbon released during organic farming (SOM), which plays a critical role in soil productivity and a wide array of ecosystem processes. Supplementary notes: Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)’s Committee on Science and Technology (CST) has released its report on Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) during the Ongoing Conference of Parties (COP) 14 of UNCCD in New Delhi. Titled Realising the Carbon Benefits of Sustainable Land Management Practices: Guidelines for Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon in the Context of Land Degradation Neutrality Planning and Monitoring, the report emphasises the importance of SOC in preventing land degradation and desertification. The carbon cycle is a fundamental part of life on earth. ‘Soil organic carbon’ (SOC) – the amount of carbon stored in the soil is a component of soil organic matter – plant and animal materials in the soil that are in various stages of decay. Soil organic carbon is the basis of soil fertility. It releases nutrients for plant growth, promotes the structure, biological and physical health of the soil, and is a buffer against harmful substances Q3 The use of living microorganism to degrade Correct Option: (c) environmental pollutant is called: Explanation: Option (c) is correct: The use of (a) Micro meditation living (b) Biomining microorganism to degrade environmental (c) Bioremediation pollutant is called Bioremediation (d) Bioaugmentation Supplementary notes: Bioremediation It is a method of biological interventions of biodiversity for mitigation/complete elimination of the noxious effects caused by environmental pollutants in a given site.

CIVIL SERVICE CORNER civilservicecorner.in https://t.me/CSCODISHA1 WHATSAPP- 7682092884 It operates through the principles of biogeochemical cycling. It has been successfully applied for cleanup of soil, surface water, groundwater, sediments and ecosystem restoration. It has also been unequivocally demonstrated that a number of other substances including nitro-glycerine (explosive) can be cleaned up through bioremediation. Bioremediation is considered to include natural attenuation (little or no human action), bio-stimulation or bio-augmentation, the addition of natural or engineered microorganisms (Bacteria, Fungi etc.) to accelerate the desired catalytic capabilities and it can definitely contribute to the removal of such hazardous wastes from the biosphere. Q4 Match the following: Correct Option: (a) List-I List-II Explanation: Option (a) is correct: A. Producers 1. Saprotrophs List-I List-II B. Primary Consumers 2. Autotrophs A. Producers 2. Autotrophs C. Decomposers 3. Herbivores B. Primary Consumers 3. Herbivores D. Secondary Consumer 4. Carnivores C. Decomposers 1. Saprotrophs Select the correct answer using the code given D. Secondary Consumer 4. Carnivores below: Supplementary notes (a) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4 Biotic Components Biotic components include (b) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1 living organisms (c) A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4 comprising plants, animals and microbes (d) A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4 and are classified according to their functional attributes into producers and consumers. Primary producers - Autotrophs (selfnourishing) Primary producers are basically green plants (and certain bacteria and algae). They synthesize carbohydrates from simple inorganic raw materials like carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight by the process of photosynthesis for themselves and supply indirectly to other non-producers. In the terrestrial ecosystem, producers are basically herbaceous and woody plants, while in aquatic ecosystem producers are various species of microscopic algae. Consumers - Heterotrophs Consumers are incapable of producing their own food (photosynthesis). They depend on organic food derived from plants, animals or both. Herbivores are primary consumers which feed mainly on plants e.g. cow, rabbit.

CIVIL SERVICE CORNER civilservicecorner.in https://t.me/CSCODISHA1 WHATSAPP- 7682092884 Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers e.g. wolves., known as carnivores Carnivores which feed on secondary consumers are called tertiary consumers e.g. lions which can eat wolves. Omnivores are organisms which consume both plants and animals e.g. man, monkey. Decomposers- Saprotrophs They are bacteria and fungi which obtain energy and nutrients by decomposing dead organic substances (detritus) of plant and animal origin. The products of decomposition such as inorganic nutrients which are released in the ecosystem are reused by producers and thus recycled. Earthworm and certain soil organisms (such as nematodes, and arthropods) are detritus feeders and help in the decomposition of organic matter and are called detrivores. Q5 Which of the following pairs is/are correctly Ans. C matched? Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Pyramid 1. Pyramid of numbers - Always upright of numbers-Upright or inverted 2. Pyramid of Biomass - Upright or Supplementary notes: inverted Pyramids of Numbers This deals with the 3. Pyramid of Energy - Always upright relationship between Select the correct answer using the code given the numbers of primary producers and below: consumers of different levels. It is a graphic (a) 1 only representation of the total number of (b) 2 only individuals of different species, belonging to (c) 2 and 3 only each trophic level in an ecosystem. (d) 1, 2 and 3 Depending upon the size and biomass, the pyramid of numbers may not always be upright, and may even be completely inverted. Pyramid of Biomass Pyramid of biomass is usually determined by collecting all organisms occupying each trophic level separately and measuring their dry weight. This overcomes the size difference problem because all kinds of organisms at a trophic level are weighed. Biomass is measured in g/m2. Pyramid of biomass can be upright or inverted. Pyramid of Energy To compare the functional roles of the trophic levels in an ecosystem, an energy pyramid is most suitable. An energy pyramid reflects the laws of thermodynamics, with the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy and heat

CIVIL SERVICE CORNER civilservicecorner.in https://t.me/CSCODISHA1 WHATSAPP- 7682092884 energy at each trophic level and with loss of energy being depicted at each transfer to another trophic level. Hence the pyramid is always upward, with a large energy base at the bottom. Q6 Which of the following statements is incorrect Correct Option: (c) regarding CITES? Explanation: Option (c) is correct: It is legally (a) It is an international agreement between binding governments. on Parties. (b) Its aim is to ensure that international Supplementary notes: trade in specimens of wild animals and CITES CITES (the Convention on International plants does not threaten their survival. Trade in Endangered Species of Wild (c) It is not legally binding on Parties. Fauna and Flora) is an international (d) The species covered by CITES are listed agreement between governments. in three Appendices. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of IUCN (The World Conservation Union). The text of the Convention was finally agreed at a meeting of representatives of 80 countries in Washington, D.C., the United States of America, on 3 March 1973, and on 1 July 1975 CITES entered in force. CITES is an international agreement to which States and regional economic integration organizations adhere voluntarily. States that have agreed to be bound by the Convention (‘joined’ CITES) are known as Parties. Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties – in other words, they have to implement the Convention – it does not take the place of national laws. Rather it provides a framework to be respected by each Party, which has to adopt its own domestic legislation to ensure that CITES is implemented at the national level. The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need. Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade-in specimens of these species are permitted only in exceptional circumstances. Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which

CIVIL SERVICE CORNER civilservicecorner.in https://t.me/CSCODISHA1 WHATSAPP- 7682092884 has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade. Q7 Global Solar Risk Mitigation Initiative Ans. B (SRMI), an integrated approach to tackle : Global Solar policy, technical and financial issues is a joint Risk Mitigation Initiative (SRMI), an initiative of: integrated approach to tackle policy, (a) World Bank and India technical and financial issues is a (b) World Bank and France joint initiative of the World Bank and (c) European Investment Bank and the France. European Union Supplementary notes: (d) World bank and the USA International Solar Alliance (ISA) ISA is the first treaty-based International Intergovernmental Organization launched by India and France on 30 November 2015 in Paris and entered into force on 6 December 2017. The first Assembly of the ISA was convened on October 3, 2018. ISA’s motto is, “let us together make the sun brighter”. ISA has launched five programmes so far: Scaling Solar Applications for Agriculture Use; Affordable Finance at Scale; Scaling Solar Mini-Grids; Scaling Solar Rooftop; Scaling Solar in E-mobility and Storage. Key Initiatives ISA has been working with various financial institutions for scaling up financing, lowering the cost of capital, and designing innovative financial instruments to accelerate the massive deployment of solar energy . In addition, “Action to Transaction” meets an innovative platform where project developers and bankers were brought together, facilitated 238 projects in ISA countries. A task force was constituted to design a Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism to reduce risks and financial cost of solar projects. The World Bank and Agence Française de Development (AFD) are developing a joint Global Solar Risk Mitigation Initiative (SRMI), an integrated approach to tackle policy, technical and financial issues. The ISA is also working with the European Investment Bank and the EU Commission to launch an off-grid fund, initially for four Asian member countries of the ISA, to rapidly scale up to Africa and Latin America. A project pipeline of US$5 billion in minigrids and rooftops is created. ISA has forged financial partnerships

CIVIL SERVICE CORNER civilservicecorner.in https://t.me/CSCODISHA1 WHATSAPP- 7682092884 with various MDBs, UN agencies, Climate Parliament, European Commission, Commonwealth Secretariat and other International and Intergovernmental organizations. ISA Solar Award has been instituted for Solar Scientists doing extraordinary work across ISA countries with a onetime corpus contribution of US$1.5 million from the Government of Haryana. Q8 Under which Act, National Mission for Clean Correct Option: (a) Ganga was empowered as an authority? Explanation: Option (a) is correct (a) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 Supplementary notes (b) Water(Prevention and Control of Ganga - the Lifeline of India A key policy Pollution) Act, 1974 priority of the Government (c) Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) towards achieving the SDG 6 (Ensure Act, 1981 availability and sustainable management (d) None of the above of water and sanitation for all) has been the cleanliness of mighty River Ganga through Namami Gange Mission. The mission was launched as a priority program with a budget outlay of `20,000 crores for the period 2015-2020. During the period 2014-15 to 2018-19, a total amount of `6,106.25 crores has been spent on the program indicating a substantial jump over earlier similar programs For effective implementation and proper synchronization with the State and Local Bodies, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was empowered as an Authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for fast track implementation and to formulate policies for long term sustainability of the Ganga rejuvenation efforts. Q9 Match the following: Correct Option: (a) List I List II Explanation: Option (a) is correctly matched: A. Mutualism 1. One species benefits, List I List II the other is harmed A. Mutualism 2. Both species benefit B. Commensalism 2. Both species benefit B. Commensalism 3. One species benefits, C. Predation 3. One species benefits, the other is the other is unaffected unaffected C. Predation 1. One species benefits, D. Amensalism 4. One species is the other is harmed harmed, the other is D. Amensalism 4. One species is unaffected harmed, the other is Select the correct answer using the code given unaffected below: Supplementary notes: A B C D Types of biotic interaction Mutualism: Both (a) 2 3 1 4 species benefit. Example: in pollination (b) 2 3 4 1 mutualisms, (c) 2 1 3 4 the pollinator gets food (pollen, nectar), (d) 1 2 3 4 and the plant has its pollen transferred

CIVIL SERVICE CORNER civilservicecorner.in https://t.me/CSCODISHA1 WHATSAPP- 7682092884 to other flowers for cross-fertilization (reproduction). Commensalism: One species benefits, the other is unaffected. Example: cow dung provides food and shelter to dung beetles. The beetles have no effect on the cows. Competition: Both species are harmed by the interaction. Example: if two species eat the same food, and there isn’t enough for both, both may have access to less food than they would if alone. They both suffer a shortage of food Predation and parasitism: One species benefits, the other is harmed. Example: predation—one fish kills and eats parasitism: tick gains benefit by sucking blood; the host is harmed by losing blood. Amensalism: One species is harmed, the other is unaffected. Example: A large tree shades a small plant, retarding the growth of the small plant. The small plant has no effect on the large tree. Neutralism: There is no net benefit or harm to either species. Perhaps in some interspecific interactions, the costs and benefits experienced by each partner are exactly the same so that they sum to zero. Example: Neutralism is also sometimes described as the relationship between two species inhabiting the same space and using the same resources, but that has no effect on each other. In this case, one could argue that they aren’t interacting at all. Q1 Match the following: Correct Option: (b) 0 List I (Ramsar List II Explanation: Option (b) is correct: Wetlands) (Location) List I (Ramsar List II A. Harike Lake 1. Wetlands) (Location) B. Renuka Wetland 2. A. Harike Lake 3. Punjab C. 3. Punjab B. Renuka Wetland 2. Himachal Pradesh Select the correct answer from the codes given C. Rudrasagar Lake 1. Tripura below: Supplementary notes: A B C Ramsar Wetlands The Ramsar Convention is an (a) 3 1 2 international (b) 3 2 1 treaty for the conservation and sustainable (c) 2 1 3 utilization of wetlands, recognizing the (d) 1 3 2 fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.

CIVIL SERVICE CORNER civilservicecorner.in https://t.me/CSCODISHA1 WHATSAPP- 7682092884 It was signed in Iran in 1971. Ramsar Wetlands in India S. No. Name of Site State Location 1. Asthamudi Wetland Kerala 2. Orissa 3. Bhoj wetlands 4. Chandertal Wetland Himachal Pradesh 5. Chilka Lake Orissa 6. Deepor Beel 7. East Calcutta Wetlands 8. Harike Lake Punjab 9. Hokera Wetland Jammu and Kashmir 10. Kanjli Lake Punjab 11. Keoladeo Ghana NP 12. 13. 14. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary 15. 16. Pong Dam Lake Himachal Pradesh 17. Renuka Wetland Himachal Pradesh 18. Ropar Lake Punjab 19. Rudrasagar Lake Tripura 20. Sambhar Lake Rajasthan 21. Sasthamkotta Lake Kerala 22. Sunderbans Wetland West Bengal 23. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes Jammu and Kashmir 24. Tsomoriri Lake Jammu and Kashmir 25. Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch) 26. Kol Wetland Kerala 27. Jammu and Kashmir

The Ramsar Convention has declared 10 more wetlands in India as sites of international importance.

• Nandur Madhameshwar o It is the first Ramsar site in . o It is a mosaic of lakes, marshes and riparian forest on the Deccan Plateau. Construction of the Nandur Madhameshwar Weir at the confluence of

CIVIL SERVICE CORNER civilservicecorner.in https://t.me/CSCODISHA1 WHATSAPP- 7682092884 the Godavari and Kadwa Rivers helped create a thriving wetland. o Its diverse habitats contrast with the surrounding semi-arid conditions caused by the rain shadow of the Western Ghats mountain range. o It provides sanctuary to critically endangered species including Deolali minnow (a fish), Indian vulture and white-rumped vulture. • (Mainpuri, UP) o It is a seasonal oxbow lake on the floodplain. o The Sanctuary is particularly important as a wintering site for many migrants including the greylag goose, with over 1% of the South Asian population present during winter. • (, UP) o It is a shallow marshland. Monsoon rains feed this diverse wetland while the Sarda Canal supplies additional water. o The highly invasive common water hyacinth poses a threat, as does the removal of timber from the forests. o It is known to host Siberian cranes among migratory bird species that rest here during the winter months. • (, UP) o It is a perennial lowland marsh typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plains in Uttar Pradesh. o Its six connected lakes are heavily dependent on monsoon rains. o The Sanctuary harbours threatened species such as the endangered Egyptian vulture and Pallas’s fish eagle and more than 1% of the South Asian population of the vulnerable common pochard. o A tall grass called “Sarpat” is also found in bunches at every spot. • Sandi Bird Sanctuary (, UP) o It is a freshwater marsh, also designated as Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. o The Sandi Bird sanctuary is also known by its ancient name as “Dahar Jheel” (Jheel = Lake). o River Garra, formerly known as Garun Ganga, passes near the sanctuary. o It is home to over 1% of the South Asian populations of common teal, red-crested pochard and ferruginous duck while vulnerable sarus crane has a population of 200 individuals within the Sanctuary. o The Sanctuary dried out leading to a subsequent collapse in waterbird populations from 2014 to 2015. • Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary (UP)

CIVIL SERVICE CORNER civilservicecorner.in https://t.me/CSCODISHA1 WHATSAPP- 7682092884 o It is a permanent freshwater environment consisting of two oxbow lakes. o They are rain-fed lakes in a deep natural depression in the Gangetic plains of the terai region of Uttar Pradesh. o The Sanctuary is a refuge for some of India’s threatened vulture species: the critically endangered white-rumped vulture and Indian vulture and the endangered Egyptian vulture have all been recorded. o Invasive species such as the common water hyacinth along with the development of roads and railways present significant threats. • Sarsai Nawar Jheel (Etawah, UP) o This typical wetland of the Indo-Gangetic floodplain in Uttar Pradesh is fed by precipitation run-off from the South West monsoon rains. o It is an example of co-habitation of humans and wildlife: farming practices across most of the Site play important roles in sustaining the waterbird habitats. o A particular beneficiary is the vulnerable sarus crane, with a population of 400 individuals making up the largest flock in the region. Other threatened species present include the critically endangered white-rumped vulture and endangered woolly-necked stork. o It is recognized by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area. • Beas Conservation Reserve (Punjab) o It is a 185-kilometre stretch of the Beas River majorly in Punjab. The River is dotted with islands, sand bars and braided channels creating a complex environment supporting substantial biodiversity. o The Reserve hosts the only known population in India of the endangered Indus river dolphin. Further threatened species include the endangered masheer and hog deer as well as the vulnerable smooth-coated otter.

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