UPSC Prelims 2014
Environment & Ecology Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 28 solved UPSC Prelims 2014 Environment & Ecology questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
What are the benefits of implementing the ‘Integrated Watershed Development Programme’?
- Prevention of soil runoff
- Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers
- Rainwater harvesting and recharge of the groundwater table
- Regeneration of natural vegetation
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: IWDP focuses on soil and moisture conservation, implementing measures like contour bunding, terracing, and vegetative barriers that effectively prevent soil runoff and erosion.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: IWDP does not involve interlinking of rivers; it works at the watershed/micro-watershed level for localized water management. River interlinking is part of the separate National River Linking Project.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: IWDP promotes rainwater harvesting structures like farm ponds, percolation tanks, check dams, and nala bunds that enhance groundwater recharge and increase the water table.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: IWDP emphasizes afforestation, pasture development, and restoration of degraded lands, leading to regeneration of natural vegetation and improved ecological balance.
With reference to the Neem tree, consider the following statements:
- Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites.
- Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents.
- Neem oil has applications in the pharmaceutical industry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Neem oil contains azadirachtin, a natural compound that effectively controls the proliferation of insects and mites by disrupting their growth and feeding patterns, making it a widely used biopesticide.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: While neem seeds have been explored for various applications, they are not commercially used for manufacturing biofuels or hospital detergents. Hospital detergents require regulated chemical formulations with specific disinfectant properties.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Neem oil has significant applications in the pharmaceutical industry, including anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties, and is used in various medicinal formulations and traditional Ayurvedic preparations.
In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?
- Terrace cultivation
- Deforestation
- Tropical climate
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Terrace cultivation is a soil conservation method that prevents erosion by creating leveled steps on slopes to reduce water runoff and trap soil.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Deforestation removes tree cover and root systems that bind soil, leaving it exposed to rain and wind erosion, making it a major cause of soil erosion in India.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Tropical climate with heavy rainfall is a natural factor but not inherently problematic; erosion occurs primarily due to human activities like deforestation and poor land management, not the climate itself.
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Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’:
- It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO.
- It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year.
- It is a movement to raise awareness about climate change and the need to save the planet.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Earth Hour is an initiative of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), not UNEP or UNESCO.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Participants switch off non-essential lights for one hour on the last Saturday of March every year.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The movement aims to raise awareness about climate change, energy conservation, and the need to save the planet.
Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?
Detailed Explanation:
A food chain represents the linear flow of energy from producers to consumers in an ecosystem.
Diatoms are microscopic algae and act as primary producers through photosynthesis, forming the base of aquatic food chains.
Crustaceans (like krill, copepods) are primary consumers that feed on diatoms and other phytoplankton.
Herrings are secondary consumers (small fish) that feed on crustaceans and zooplankton.
The correct energy flow follows: Diatoms → Crustaceans → Herrings.
Consider the following international agreements:
- The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
- The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
- The World Heritage Convention
Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?
Detailed Explanation:
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) aims at conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources which are essential components of agricultural biodiversity.
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) addresses land degradation in drylands, which leads to habitat loss and biodiversity decline; combating desertification directly protects terrestrial biodiversity.
World Heritage Convention (WHC) protects natural heritage sites of outstanding universal value, which often harbor significant biodiversity hotspots and endemic species.
All three conventions have direct or indirect bearing on biodiversity conservation.
The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of
Detailed Explanation:
Biosphere reserves are specifically designed to conserve biodiversity while integrating traditional human life and sustainable development.
They operate through a three-zone system: Core Zone (strict protection), Buffer Zone (limited research/education), and Transition Zone (human settlements, agriculture, and economic activities permitted).
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries prohibit or severely restrict human habitation, while botanical gardens serve only ex-situ conservation without human integration.
Which of the following are some important pollutants released by the steel industry in India?
- Oxides of sulphur
- Oxides of nitrogen
- Carbon monoxide
- Carbon dioxide
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Steel industry uses coal and coke containing sulphur; combustion and sintering processes release oxides of sulphur (SOx).
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: High-temperature operations in blast furnaces cause atmospheric nitrogen to react with oxygen, forming oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Carbon monoxide (CO) is generated during reduction of iron ore and through incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is released from chemical reduction of iron ore (coke reacting with ore) and combustion of fossil fuels.
Showing 21 to 28 of 28 questions
UPSC Prelims 2014 - Environment & Ecology Chapter-wise Distribution
Biodiversity and Conservation
7 Qs (25%)International Environmental Conventions & Organizations
5 Qs (17.9%)Flora, Fauna and Protected Areas
3 Qs (10.7%)Environmental Pollution
3 Qs (10.7%)Environmental Governance in India
3 Qs (10.7%)Fundamentals of Ecology
3 Qs (10.7%)Environmental Reports, Indices & Organizations
1 Qs (3.6%)Sustainable Development
1 Qs (3.6%)Renewable Energy & Green Technologies
1 Qs (3.6%)Climate Change and Mitigation
1 Qs (3.6%)UPSC Prelims 2014 - Environment & Ecology Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Environment & Ecology questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2014?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Environment & Ecology in UPSC Prelims 2014?
- Biodiversity and Conservation: 7 questions (25%)
- International Environmental Conventions & Organizations: 5 questions (17.9%)
- Flora, Fauna and Protected Areas: 3 questions (10.7%)
- Environmental Pollution: 3 questions (10.7%)
- Environmental Governance in India: 3 questions (10.7%)
- Fundamentals of Ecology: 3 questions (10.7%)
- Environmental Reports, Indices & Organizations: 1 questions (3.6%)
- Sustainable Development: 1 questions (3.6%)
- Renewable Energy & Green Technologies: 1 questions (3.6%)
- Climate Change and Mitigation: 1 questions (3.6%)