UPSC 2017 Environment & Ecology Previous Year Questions

Question 1

Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Corbett National Park | Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary | Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary | Sariska National Park. The proposed translocation of Asiatic lions from Gujarat was to Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

Question 2

In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger. | It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is impossible to prevent its extinction. | It is endemic to a particular region of India. | Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.. Schedule I protection gives the highest level of legal protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, comparable to protection given to the tiger.

Question 3

The term 'M-STrIPES' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Captive breeding of Wild Fauna | Maintenance of Tiger Reserves | Indigenous Satellite Navigation System | Security of National Highways. M-STrIPES is a monitoring system used in tiger reserves for patrol-based wildlife/tiger monitoring and protection.

Question 4

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Measuring oxygen levels in blood | Computing oxygen levels in forest ecosystems | Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems | Assessing oxygen levels in high altitude regions. BOD measures the oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water and is a standard indicator of organic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

Question 5

According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law? 1. Gharial 2. Indian wild ass 3. Wild buffalo Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 1 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Gharial, Indian wild ass and wild buffalo are protected wildlife species and cannot be hunted except under specific legal provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

Question 6

Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences? 1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected. 2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants. 3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 1 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Butterflies are pollinators for many plants, and they are also prey for animals such as wasps, spiders and birds. A fall in butterfly populations could affect pollination and food webs, but it would not directly cause a drastic rise in fungal infections.

Question 7

In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation technique? 1. It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature. 2. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms. 3. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 1 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Bioremediation enhances natural biodegradation processes and can use genetically engineered microorganisms. Heavy metals cannot be readily and completely degraded by microbes because metals are elements; they may only be immobilized or transformed.

Question 8

From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve | Nallamala Forest | Nagarhole National Park | Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve lies at a crucial ecological junction linking the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats landscapes.

UPSC 2017 Environment & Ecology PYQs with Answers