Exams › SSC CGL (Prelims) › General › Environment and Ecology
27 questions with worked solutions.
Answer: 1 and 2 only
MISHTI is a government initiative for mangrove restoration and afforestation using scientific methods, so statement 1 is correct. It was introduced in the Union Budget 2023–24, making statement 2 correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the scheme is for conservation, not commercial leasing.
Q2. The 2025 ‘Mangrove Cell’ program is associated primarily with which state?
Answer: Maharashtra
The Mangrove Cell program is associated with Maharashtra, which has taken steps to strengthen mangrove conservation and management. Such cells are created to monitor, protect, and restore mangrove ecosystems.
Q3. Under recent climate action plans, which sector receives major focus for adaptation?
Answer: Agriculture
Agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate change because it depends on rainfall, temperature, and seasonal patterns. Hence, climate action plans give it major attention for adaptation measures.
Q4. The National Air Quality Index (AQI) uses how many pollutants to calculate the index?
Answer: 8
India’s National AQI is calculated using 8 pollutants. These include PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb.
Q5. ‘Kyoto Protocol’ is related to:
Answer: Greenhouse gases
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is part of global efforts to combat climate change.
Q6. The term ‘Blue Carbon’ refers to:
Answer: Carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems like mangroves
Blue carbon refers to carbon captured and stored by coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. These ecosystems act as important carbon sinks. So the correct option is the one mentioning coastal and marine ecosystems.
Q7. The Aravalli Green Wall Project mainly focuses on:
Answer: Reviving degraded landscapes
The Aravalli Green Wall Project is intended to restore and rejuvenate degraded land in and around the Aravalli region. It focuses on ecological restoration, afforestation, and combating desertification.
Q8. How is urban India aiming to reduce vehicular pollution?
Answer: Expanding electric mobility
Urban India is aiming to reduce vehicular pollution by expanding electric mobility, which lowers tailpipe emissions. The other options would increase pollution or weaken control measures.
Q9. Kaziranga National Park is famous for the conservation of:
Answer: One-horned rhinoceros
Kaziranga National Park in Assam is globally known for conserving the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. It is one of the most important habitats for this species in India.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
Mission LiFE promotes sustainable lifestyles to help address climate change, so the assertion is true. The reason is also true because mindful consumption and responsible daily practices are exactly how the mission works, making it the correct explanation.
Answer: Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol was created to protect the ozone layer by controlling and phasing out ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs. It is one of the most successful international environmental agreements.
Q12. Which theme was adopted for World Environment Day 2025?
Answer: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience
World Environment Day 2025 was observed with the theme 'Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.' The theme highlights restoring degraded land and improving resilience to drought.
Q13. Why is renewable energy expansion important for India’s climate commitments?
Answer: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions
India’s climate commitments aim to lower emissions and limit warming. Expanding renewable energy reduces reliance on fossil fuels, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Answer: Integrated Watershed Management Programme
The Integrated Watershed Management Programme is designed to improve water availability, soil conservation, and livelihood resilience in drought-prone areas. It emphasizes integrated planning and community participation.
Q15. Which initiative promotes afforestation along river banks under rural employment?
Answer: Namami Gange Plantation Drive
The Namami Gange programme includes plantation drives along river banks to support river rejuvenation and ecological restoration. It is associated with the Ganga and related afforestation efforts.
Q16. Green Credit Programme rewards:
Answer: Voluntary eco-friendly actions
The Green Credit Programme is an incentive-based mechanism that rewards voluntary environmentally friendly actions. It is not meant to penalize polluters or tax industries directly.
Answer: 1 and 2 only
Biosphere reserves are designed to conserve biodiversity while supporting sustainable development, so statement 1 is correct. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first biosphere reserve in India, so statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is wrong because biosphere reserves include zones where limited human activity is allowed.
Answer: All of the above
Mangroves are halophytic plants adapted to saline, waterlogged conditions. They commonly occur in intertidal tropical and subtropical coastal zones and possess pneumatophores to survive anaerobic soils.
Q19. The UN Sustainable Development Report 2024 primarily tracks progress towards which global goals?
Answer: Sustainable Development Goals
The UN Sustainable Development Report evaluates how countries are progressing toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals are the UN's global framework for ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity by 2030.
Q20. Which universities collaborate to produce the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)?
Answer: Yale & Columbia
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is prepared by researchers associated with Yale and Columbia universities. It is a widely cited global ranking of environmental performance.
Q21. Which entity/entities publish the Climate Change Performance Index 2025?
Answer: Germanwatch and NewClimate Institute
The Climate Change Performance Index is published by Germanwatch and NewClimate Institute, along with Climate Action Network International. Among the given options, this pair is correct.
Q22. The process of coral bleaching in the Indian Ocean is most directly linked to:
Answer: Anthropogenically induced sea surface temperature increases
Coral bleaching is primarily caused by elevated sea surface temperatures, which stress corals and lead them to expel their symbiotic algae. Human-induced warming is the main direct driver in the Indian Ocean.
Q23. Armenia has unveiled a butterfly-based logo for COP17 featuring which endemic species?
Answer: Erivan Anomalous Blue
The butterfly-based logo for COP17 features the Erivan Anomalous Blue, an endemic species associated with Armenia. The other options are common butterfly names and do not match the specific local species mentioned.
Q24. The Ramsar Convention is related to the conservation of:
Answer: Wetlands
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It is not specifically about tigers, coral reefs, or elephants.
Answer: Climate Change Adaptation
Climate change adaptation refers to adjustments made to reduce vulnerability to the effects of climate change. Sea walls and raised structures help coastal areas cope with sea-level rise, so they are adaptation measures.
Q26. Which of the following is a leading worldwide danger to coral reefs?
Answer: Warming and acidification of the oceans
Coral reefs are highly sensitive to changes in ocean temperature and pH. Global warming causes coral bleaching, and ocean acidification reduces the ability of corals to build calcium carbonate skeletons.
Answer: Building out energy storage systems
Energy storage systems such as batteries help smooth out fluctuations from renewable sources and support grid stability. They store excess electricity and supply it when needed, making the grid more reliable.