UPSC Prelims 2016
Environment & Ecology Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 23 solved UPSC Prelims 2016 Environment & Ecology questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered?
Detailed Explanation:
The Musa indandamanensis, a new banana species reaching 11 meters in height with distinctive orange fruit pulp, was discovered by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) in the tropical rainforests of Little Andaman Island.
This species is unique for its green flowers, large fruit bunch axis (three times normal size), cylindrical flowers (instead of conical), and orange pulp—making the Andaman Islands the correct answer.
Consider the following pairs:
| Terms sometimes seen in the news | Their origin |
|---|---|
| 1. Annex-I Countries | Cartagena Protocol |
| 2. Certified Emissions Reductions | Nagoya Protocol |
| 3. Clean Development Mechanism | Kyoto Protocol |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 3 only
❌ Pair 1 – Incorrect: Annex-I Countries are listed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, not the Cartagena Protocol. The Cartagena Protocol deals with biosafety and the safe handling of living modified organisms.
❌ Pair 2 – Incorrect: Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs) are carbon credits issued under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol, not the Nagoya Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol concerns access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing.
✅ Pair 3 – Correct: Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is indeed a mechanism established under the Kyoto Protocol. It allows developed countries to invest in emission reduction projects in developing countries and earn CERs as offsets against their emission reduction commitments.
With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:
- It is a tree species found in a part of South India.
- It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rainforest areas of South India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 only
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), also known as Red Sandalwood, is a tree species endemic to the southern Eastern Ghats mountain range of South India, primarily found in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Red Sanders is not found in tropical rainforest areas. It grows in dry deciduous forests and semi-arid regions of the Eastern Ghats, thriving in scrub forests with rocky terrain and low rainfall conditions, which are distinctly different from tropical rainforest ecosystems.
🧐 Not Sure What to Study Next?
Get a personalised study plan based on your goals, time and revision needs.
‘Net metering’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of promoting the -
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — production and use of solar energy by the households/consumers
Net metering is a billing mechanism that allows households and businesses with solar panel installations to send excess electricity generated during the day back to the power grid. In return, they receive credits on their electricity bills which can be used when they draw power from the grid during night-time or cloudy periods when solar production is low. This system promotes decentralized solar energy generation by making rooftop solar installations economically viable for individual consumers, as they effectively use the grid as a virtual battery without needing expensive physical storage systems.
Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to -
- Protection of biodiversity
- Resilience of forest ecosystems
- Poverty reduction
Select the correct answer using the code given below
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3
The UN-REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Programme creates financial incentives for developing countries to reduce forest-based emissions while promoting sustainable forest management. All three statements are correct:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: REDD+ protects biodiversity by preventing deforestation and forest degradation, thereby conserving the diverse species of flora and fauna that depend on forest ecosystems.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The programme enhances resilience of forest ecosystems by promoting sustainable forest management practices that help forests better withstand climate change impacts, natural disturbances, and environmental stresses.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: REDD+ contributes to poverty reduction by providing financial incentives and alternative livelihood opportunities to forest-dependent communities, encouraging them to participate in sustainable forest conservation rather than exploitative practices.
Consider the following statements:
- The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.
- The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were not proposed by the Club of Rome in 1972. The Club of Rome published 'The Limits to Growth' report in 1972, which discussed environmental sustainability concerns. The concept of SDGs was proposed by Colombia at a preparatory event for the Rio+20 Conference held in Indonesia in July 2011. The SDGs were formally adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Sustainable Development Goals are a set of 17 global goals adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. These goals address global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. The target year for achieving these goals is 2030, which is why they are also referred to as the 2030 Agenda.
With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:
- It is a global action plan for sustainable development.
- It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 only
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Agenda 21 is a comprehensive global action plan for sustainable development adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It addresses environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development across 40 chapters covering issues like poverty, consumption patterns, atmospheric protection, deforestation, desertification, oceans, biodiversity, and waste management.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Agenda 21 originated at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, not at the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002. The Johannesburg Summit (Rio+10) reviewed progress on Agenda 21 implementation and produced the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, which reaffirmed and built upon the original commitments.
Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practising drip irrigation?
- Reduction in weed
- Reduction in soil salinity
- Reduction in soil erosion
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 1 and 3 only
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone of plants, keeping the soil surface relatively dry. Since weeds require moist topsoil to germinate and grow, restricting surface water availability significantly reduces weed proliferation compared to flood or sprinkler irrigation methods.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Drip irrigation does not directly reduce soil salinity. In fact, because water is applied in small quantities at specific points, salts can accumulate at the edges of the wetted zone. While proper management practices (like periodic leaching) can help control salinity, drip irrigation itself is not a method for reducing existing soil salinity.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: By releasing water slowly and directly at the root zone, drip irrigation minimizes surface runoff and water flow across the soil surface. This controlled water application prevents the washing away of topsoil, thereby reducing soil erosion and preserving soil structure and fertility.
What is ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol’?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is the most widely used global framework for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions. Developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), it provides standardized methods for organizations and governments to account for their carbon footprint. It is not a UN financial initiative, not a legally binding intergovernmental agreement, and not related to REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank.
Which of the following best describes the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India?
- Incorporating environment benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the ‘green accounting’.
- Launching the second green revolution to enhance agriculture output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future.
- Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 3 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Green accounting refers to incorporating environmental costs and benefits into national budgets, which is a separate economic initiative. The Green India Mission does not aim at implementing green accounting in Union and State budgets.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Second Green Revolution focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity and food security. The Green India Mission, part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), specifically targets forestry and forest cover, not agricultural output.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The National Mission for a Green India (GIM) aims to protect, restore, and enhance India's forest cover while responding to climate change through adaptation and mitigation measures. It targets increasing forest cover on 5 million hectares and improving quality on another 5 million hectares, thereby enhancing ecosystem services including carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.
Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’?
- The river basin is the unit of planning and management.
- It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
- One of the Chief Ministers of the State through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on a rotation basis.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 and 2 only
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: NGRBA adopts the river basin as the unit of planning and management, moving away from fragmented state-wise approaches to a holistic basin-level conservation strategy.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: NGRBA was established to spearhead river conservation efforts at the national level for the Ganga. It functions as the apex planning, financing, monitoring, and coordinating authority for Ganga rejuvenation.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Prime Minister of India serves as the Chairman of NGRBA, not Chief Ministers on rotation. Chief Ministers of Ganga basin states are members of the Authority along with relevant Union Cabinet Ministers.
In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitat?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Western Ghats
The Great Indian Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) is a large frugivorous bird native to the dense evergreen and moist deciduous forests of India. Its natural habitat in India is primarily concentrated in the Western Ghats, where it thrives in the tropical rainforests with abundant fruit-bearing trees. The bird is also found in the foothills of the Himalayas in the northeastern states, but among the given options, the Western Ghats is the correct answer. The species requires tall trees for nesting and roosting, making the sand deserts of northwest India, higher cold Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir, and salt marshes of Gujarat unsuitable habitats. It is listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting pressure.
The term ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contribution’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — Plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change.
Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) are voluntary climate action plans submitted by countries before the Paris Agreement (2015). Each nation outlined its intended contributions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy, and adapt to climate impacts based on its national circumstances and capabilities. Once countries ratified the Paris Agreement, these INDCs became Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) — the cornerstone of the global climate framework. They follow a bottom-up approach where countries independently determine their targets rather than having them imposed internationally.
Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following State has declared a particular butterfly as ‘State Butterfly’?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Maharashtra
Maharashtra became the first state in India to declare a state butterfly in 2015. The state designated the Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor) as its official butterfly. The Blue Mormon is a large, striking butterfly with black velvet wings adorned with bright blue spots, found in the Western Ghats and other forested regions of the state. This declaration was part of Maharashtra's biodiversity conservation efforts to raise awareness about native species.
With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017.
- The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2 degrees C or even 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels.
- Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Paris Agreement was adopted in December 2015 and signed in April 2016, but it entered into force on November 4, 2016 (not 2017) after 55 countries representing at least 55% of global emissions ratified it. Moreover, it was not signed by all UN member countries.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Paris Agreement's central aim is to strengthen the global response to climate change by keeping the global temperature rise this century well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: While developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility under the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), the financial commitment was $100 billion per year by 2020, not $1000 billion.
‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to -
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Protection of Western Ghats
Both the Gadgil Committee Report (2011) and Kasturirangan Committee Report (2012) are specifically related to the conservation and protection of the Western Ghats, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. The Gadgil Committee (Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel) recommended declaring the entire Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) with strict environmental regulations. However, facing resistance from state governments, the Kasturirangan Committee was formed to review these recommendations. It proposed a more moderate approach, designating only 37% of the Western Ghats as ESA, focusing on forested and uninhabited areas while allowing regulated development in other regions. Both reports address the balance between ecological conservation and developmental needs in the Western Ghats region.
Consider the following statements:
- The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
- The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 only
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was launched by India and France on November 30, 2015, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris. The Alliance aims to promote solar energy deployment and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, particularly in developing countries.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Initially, ISA membership was limited to 121 countries located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. However, in 2018, the Alliance was expanded to include all UN member states through an amendment to its Framework Agreement. Despite this expansion, not all UN member countries have joined ISA; membership remains voluntary and countries must formally sign and ratify the Framework Agreement to become members.
The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative?
- To provide modern technology, training in modern farming methods and financial support to local communities of identified GIAHS so as to greatly enhance their agricultural productivity
- To identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farm practices and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems of the local communities
- To provide Geographical Indication status to all the varieties of agricultural produce in such identified GIAHS
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: GIAHS does not focus on providing modern technology or training in modern farming methods to enhance productivity. Its goal is to conserve and support traditional agricultural systems and indigenous knowledge, not to replace them with modern intensive practices.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The core objective of GIAHS is to identify, safeguard and promote traditional agricultural systems that demonstrate sustainable practices, conserve agricultural biodiversity, preserve traditional landscapes, and protect the indigenous knowledge systems of local communities. It recognizes these systems as living, evolving heritage.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: GIAHS designation does not automatically confer Geographical Indication (GI) status to agricultural products. GI is a separate intellectual property right granted under different legal frameworks and criteria. While some GIAHS products may independently qualify for GI, it is not an inherent feature of the GIAHS initiative.
What is/are unique about ‘Kharai camel’ a breed found in India?
- It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater.
- It survives by grazing on mangroves.
- It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 and 2 only
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Kharai camels possess the unique ability to swim up to three kilometers in seawater, enabling them to reach offshore mangrove islands in the Gulf of Kutch for grazing.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The name 'Kharai' derives from the Gujarati word for 'salty,' reflecting their primary diet of saline-tolerant plants and mangroves. This adaptation allows them to survive in the harsh coastal ecosystem of Gujarat.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Kharai camels are semi-domesticated animals herded by the Maldhari pastoral communities in the Kutch region. They are used for milk production, and their male calves are often sold for commercial purposes.
What is/are the importance/importances of the ‘United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’?
- It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships.
- It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its secretariat facilitates the allocation of the major portion of financial resources to these regions.
- It is committed to the bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 1 and 3 only
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The UNCCD promotes effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships, providing a framework for countries to collaborate on combating desertification and mitigating drought effects.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Convention has a particular focus on Africa, not South Asia and North Africa. Its full name is 'United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa'. Additionally, the Secretariat does not allocate the major portion of financial resources—financial mobilization is primarily handled through the Global Mechanism and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The UNCCD is unique among environmental conventions for its commitment to a bottom-up approach, emphasizing the participation of local communities, land users, and non-governmental organizations in designing and implementing programmes to combat land degradation.
Showing 1 to 20 of 23 questions
UPSC Prelims 2016 - Environment & Ecology Chapter-wise Distribution
Biodiversity and Conservation
8 Qs (34.8%)International Environmental Conventions & Organizations
4 Qs (17.4%)Climate Change and Mitigation
4 Qs (17.4%)Sustainable Development
3 Qs (13%)Environmental Pollution
2 Qs (8.7%)Environmental Governance in India
1 Qs (4.3%)Renewable Energy & Green Technologies
1 Qs (4.3%)UPSC Prelims 2016 - Environment & Ecology Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Environment & Ecology questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2016?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Environment & Ecology in UPSC Prelims 2016?
- Biodiversity and Conservation: 8 questions (34.8%)
- International Environmental Conventions & Organizations: 4 questions (17.4%)
- Climate Change and Mitigation: 4 questions (17.4%)
- Sustainable Development: 3 questions (13%)
- Environmental Pollution: 2 questions (8.7%)
- Environmental Governance in India: 1 questions (4.3%)
- Renewable Energy & Green Technologies: 1 questions (4.3%)