Q1. Consider the following pairs regarding urban forestry initiatives in India:
| Scheme/Concept | Feature |
|---|---|
| 1. Nagar Van Yojana | Mandatory Miyawaki forest creation in every urban project |
| 2. Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam | Initiative under which Matri Vans are being developed |
| 3. Biodiversity Park in Nagar Van | Mandatory inclusion of at least one species from Schedule I of WPA, 1972 |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Explanation
- Pair 1 is incorrect: There is no mandatory requirement under Nagar Van Yojana to use the Miyawaki method.
- Pair 2 is correct: Matri Vans are being created under Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam.
- Pair 3 is incorrect: There is no such mandatory requirement for including Schedule I species in Biodiversity Parks.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer
Q2. India has committed to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030. In this context, which of the following could be the most appropriate strategy mix to achieve this target?
- 1. Large-scale agroforestry in rural areas
- 2. Promotion of Miyawaki forests in urban and peri-urban regions
- 3. Conversion of degraded wastelands into biodiversity parks
- 4. Commercial timber plantations of fast-growing exotic species
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation:
While agroforestry, Miyawaki forests, and restoration of degraded lands contribute positively to carbon sinks, commercial timber plantations of exotic species are not sustainable and not in alignment with India’s ecological forestry goals.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer
Q3. Consider the following with respect to the Human Development Index (HDI):
- 1. It is a composite index published by the World Economic Forum.
- 2. It includes life expectancy, education, and income as key indicators.
- 3. India is currently in the “high human development” category.
- 4. HDI values range between 0 and 1.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
- Statement 1 is incorrect: HDI is published by UNDP, not WEF.
- Statement 2 is correct: HDI comprises life expectancy, education (mean and expected years of schooling), and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: India remains in medium human development (HDI = 0.685), not yet ≥ 0.700.
- Statement 4 is correct: HDI values are normalized between 0 and 1.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer
Q4. In the context of India’s obligations under global environmental frameworks, the ‘Vithoot’ programme contributes most directly to which of the following initiatives?
Answer: (b)
Q5. Which of the following changes between 1990 and 2023 have contributed to India’s improved HDI value?
- 1. Life expectancy increased by about 13.4 years
- 2. Gross National Income per capita grew more than fourfold
- 3. Mean years of schooling increased from 3.5 to 9
- 4. Expected years of schooling increased to 13 years
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
Explanation:
- 1: 58.6 → 72 = 13.4 years
- 2: $2,167 → $9,048 = over 4x
- 3: Not mentioned in the report — expected years increased from 8.2 to 13 (not mean).
- 4: 8.2 → 13 years (expected years)
- Hence, 1, 2, and 4 only, and the answer is (b)
Q6. Consider the following statements regarding international initiatives for nature restoration:
- 1. Aichi Biodiversity Target called for restoring at least 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2020.
- 2. Kunming-Montreal Framework raised the restoration target to 30% by 2030.
- 3. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to strengthen binding global frameworks for restoration.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect. Aichi had a 15% target by 2020.
- Statement 2 is correct. Kunming-Montreal COP15 in 2022 set a 30% restoration target by 2030.
- Statement 3 is incorrect. The UN Decade promotes action, but lacks binding mechanisms, which is a noted weakness.
Therefore, the answer is (b)
Q7. Match List I (States) with List II (Urban Forests) and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
List I (States)
- Telangana
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Rajasthan
- Delhi (NCT)
List II (Urban Forests)
- Kancha Gachibowli
- Aarey
- Turahalli
- Dol Ka Baadh
- Neela Hauz and The Ridge
Explanation
| State | Urban Forest | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| A. Telangana | Kancha Gachibowli | One of Hyderabad’s last remaining urban forests; involved in a legal battle with the State government over land diversion. The Supreme Court intervened due to environmental concerns. |
| B. Maharashtra | Aarey | A well-known green lung of Mumbai that faced mass felling of trees for a metro car shed project. The Supreme Court issued a stay in 2020 after massive public protests. |
| C. Karnataka | Turahalli | A forest patch on the outskirts of Bengaluru, often in the news due to threats from urban expansion and encroachment. |
| D. Rajasthan | Dol Ka Baadh | Located in Jaipur, this urban forest is an example of biodiversity within a rapidly urbanizing environment. |
| E. Delhi | Neela Hauz and The Ridge | These areas serve as Delhi’s critical ecological zones. The Ridge is part of the Aravalli system, and Neela Hauz was revived as a biodiversity zone. Both are central to Delhi’s environmental planning. |
Therefore, the answer is (a)
Q8. With reference to the Miyawaki method of afforestation, consider the following statements:
- It allows the plantation of both native and exotic species to ensure faster growth.
- It leads to creation of multi-layered, self-sustaining forests that integrate well with local ecosystems.
- It requires continuous human intervention for maintenance over the years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 2 and 3 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- (d) 2 only
Explanation:
The Miyawaki method only uses native species, not exotic ones. Also, the forests created are self-sustaining and maintenance-free, making statements 1 and 3 incorrect. Therefore, the answer is (d)
Q9. Which of the following programmes or policies in India directly aim to restore degraded ecosystems?
- National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA)
- National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)
- National Action Plan to Combat Desertification
- Polluter Pays Principle under Environmental Jurisprudence
Select the correct answer using the code below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (c) 2, 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
- All four are restoration-focused:
- NWDPRA targets ecological balance in rainfed areas.
- NPCA works on aquatic ecosystems.
- NAPCD addresses desertification.
- Polluter Pays Principle legally mandates restoration post-industrial damage.
Therefore, the correct answer is (d)
Q10. Assertion (A): India’s HDI ranking has improved between 2022 and 2023.
Reason (R): Gross National Income per capita and life expectancy have both shown upward trends over the decades.
Options:
- (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- (c) A is true, but R is false.
- (d) A is false, but R is true.
Explanation
- India’s HDI rank improved from 133 to 130, and HDI rose from 0.676 to 0.685.
- This was largely due to steady improvement in GNI per capita (from $2,167 in 1990 to $9,048 in 2023) and increased life expectancy (from 58.6 to 72 years).
- Therefore, the correct answer is (a)
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