UPSC (Prelims) 2023 Environment & Ecology Previous Year Questions

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change.
Statement-II: Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the public sector and create finance for achieving climate goals.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Consider the following statements:

1. Fertiliser plants
2. Oil refineries
3. Steel plants
   Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonising how many of the above industries?

Consider the following activities:

1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively.
2. Capturing carbon dioxide released from the air by adding chemicals.
3. Capturing carbon dioxide released from the air by buildings and converting it into fuels.

[Note: Q68 in the paper is]
Consider the following activities:

1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively.
2. Capturing carbon dioxide released from the air by adding chemicals.
3. Capturing carbon dioxide released from the air by buildings and converting it into fuels.
   How many of the above activities are considered carbon capture and utilisation?

Actual Q68: 'Microsatellite DNA' is used in which of the following?
(a) Collecting DNA samples from air
(b) Understanding the genetic makeup of species to develop medicines
(c) Using airborne devices to collect blood samples
(d) Sending drones to collect samples

Consider the following activities:

1. Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat as a means of identifying the species in the habitat.
2. Understanding the genetic makeup of species to develop medicines.
3. Using air-borne devices to collect blood samples from wild animals.
4. Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples.
   How many of the above activities represent 'non-invasive methods of studying wildlife'?

Consider the following statements:

1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realisation of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.
Statement-II: The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.

[Note: Q64 in the paper is]
Statement-I: The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.
Statement-II: The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.

Actual Q64: Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The most recent 'International Union for Conservation of Nature' (IUCN) assessment states that the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean have populations of amphibians that are not found anywhere else in the world.
Statement-II: Amphibians are known to be indicators of environmental health because they absorb chemicals and pollutants through their permeable skin.

Consider the following activities:

1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively.
2. Capturing carbon dioxide released from the air by adding chemicals.
3. Capturing carbon dioxide released from the air by buildings and converting it into fuels.
   How many of the above activities are considered carbon capture and utilisation?

With reference to the Green hydrogen, consider the following statements:

1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.
2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.
3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cells to run vehicles.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:

1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

Consider the following statements:
Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve':

1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority for such reserve.
2. Hunting is not allowed in such area.
3. People of such area are allowed to carry out traditional agricultural practices.
4. People of such area are allowed to collect and use the biomass found in such area.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

Consider the following trees:

1. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
2. Mahua (Madhuca indica)
3. Teak (Tectona grandis)
   How many of the above are deciduous trees?

Consider the following:

1. Aerosols
2. Foam agents
3. Fire retardants
4. Lubricants
   In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocarbons used?

Which of the following makes a tool by inserting a twig or a grass stem into a hole in a tree or a log of wood?
(a) Fishing cat
(b) Orangutan
(c) Otter
(d) Sloth bear

Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrel:

1. They build nests by making holes in the ground.
2. They store their food materials like nuts and seeds in the ground.
3. They are omnivorous.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

Which of the following organisms performs waggle dance for the direction of its kin towards a source of their food?
(a) Butterflies
(b) Dragonflies
(c) Honeybees
(d) Wasps

Consider the fauna:

1. Lion-tailed Macaque
2. Malabar Civet
3. Sambar Deer
   How many of the above are generally nocturnal or more active after sunset?

Invasive Species Specialist Group (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?
(a) The International Union for Conservation of Nature
(b) The United Nations Environment Programme
(c) The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development
(d) The World Wide Fund for Nature

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India.
Statement-II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Which one of the following is the best example of repeated hills in sea-coastal marshlands?
(a) Marakkaanam Mangroves
(b) Raupada Swamp
(c) Coringa
(d) Bhitarkanika