Daily MCQs 12 August

Q 1. Which of the following Ramsar site is/are located in Tamil Nadu?

1. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
2. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve
3. Satkosia Gorge

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1 only 

B. 1 and 2 only 

C. 2 and 3 only 

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (B)

Recently, India has added 10 more Ramsar sites or wetlands of international importance which has taken the total number of such sites to 64 in India. There are total 10 Ramsar Sites in Tamilnadu.

Option (B) is correct: The 10 new sites include Six (6) sites in Tamil Nadu (TN) and One (1) each in Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. 

• The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (TN) is one of the most important Ramsar Sites and is located on the southeastern coastline. The Reserve is home to several globally important and highly threatened species like the Dugong, Whale Shark, Seahorses, Balanoglossus, Green sea turtle, Hawksbill Turtle, Dolphins, Sacred chanks etc.
• Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary (TN): It is the largest reserve for breeding resident and migratory water birds and an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area forming part of the Central Asian Flyway.
• Satkosia gorge, which is also on the list, is spread along the Mahanadi in Odisha. Established in 1976 as a wildlife sanctuary, Satkosia is the meeting point of two biogeographic regions of India; the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats, contributing to immense biodiversity.

Q 2. Consider the following pairs:

Ramsar site State

1. Sirpur Wetland  : Madhya Pradesh
2. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary : Karnataka
3. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary : Tamil Nadu
4. Nanda Lake : Maharashtra

How many pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

A. Only one pair

B. Only two pairs

C. Only three pairs

D. All four pairs

Answer: (C)

India has added 10 more Ramsar sites, or wetlands of international importance (taking the total number of such sites to 64). The 10 new sites include Six (6) sites in Tamil Nadu and One (1) each in Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

Sirpur Wetland (Madhya Pradesh): Situated on the Sirpur Lake (created by the Holkars of Indore State in the early 20th century), the wetland is situated in Indore City. (Pair 1 is correctly matched)

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (Karnataka): It is a bird sanctuary in the Mandya District of the state of Karnataka in India. It is the largest bird sanctuary in the state on the bank of the Kaveri River. It is designated as an Important Bird area (IBA). (Pair 2 is correctly matched)

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): This also comes under the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). (Pair 3 is correctly matched)

Nanda Lake (Goa): The lake in South Goa had already been notified as a wetland. This will be Goa’s 1st Ramsar site. (Pair 4 is not correctly matched)

Q 3. If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply?

A. Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference.

B. The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometres of the edge of the wetland.

C. The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed.

D. It is given the status of ‘World Heritage Site’.

Answer: (A)

The Ramsar convention is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It is named after the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the Caspian Sea, where the treaty was signed on 2 February 1971.

Option (A) is correct: Montreux Record under the Convention is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Currently, two wetlands of India are in Montreux record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).

Q 4. Consider the following statements about minerals in India:

1. The regulatory and administrative powers to frame rules for minor minerals are entrusted exclusively to the State governments.
2. Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) was amended in 2016 which made environmental clearance mandatory for mining in areas less than five hectares, including minor minerals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

A. 1 only 

B. 2 only 

C. Both 1 and 2 

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (C)

India has grossly underestimated the issue of illegal mining, which damages the environment and causes revenue loss. The United Nations Environment Programme, in 2019, ranked India and China as the top two countries where illegal sand mining has led to sweeping environmental degradation.

The issue with the regulation of Minor Minerals:

Under different State laws: Unlike major minerals, the regulatory and administrative powers to frame rules, prescribe rates of royalty, mineral concessions, enforcement, etc. are entrusted exclusively to the State governments. (Statement 1 is correct)

The issue with EIA 2016: Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) was amended in 2016 which made environmental clearance mandatory for mining in areas less than five hectares, including minor minerals. The amendment also provided for the setting up of a District Environment Impact Assessment Authority (EIAA) and a District Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC). (Statement 2 is correct)

• However, a State-wise review of EACs and EIAAs in key industrial States such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, shows that these authorities review over 50 project proposals in a day and the rejection rate at the State level has been a mere 1%.

Environmental issues: In the Yamuna riverbed in Uttar Pradesh (UP), increasing demand for soil has severely affected soil formation and the soil holding ability of the land, leading to a loss in marine life, and an increase in flood frequency, droughts, and also degradation of water quality.

• Such effects can also be seen in the beds of the Godavari, the Narmada and the Mahanadi basins.
• In the Narmada basin, sand mining has reduced the population of Mahseer fish from 76% between 1963 and 2015.

Q 5. Which among the following are the main components of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)?

A. Ethane and Butane

B. Propane and Butane

C. Ethane and Propane

D. Methane and Ethane

Answer: (B)

Udhyam (an NGO), which works on the skill development of school students and small entrepreneurs, launched the ‘Istri Project’ in 2019 to help clean up the issue of using coal irons boxes. They emphasized using LPG alternatives to be used by tailers for straightening clothes.

Option (B) is correct: The primary components of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are propane, butane, propylene, butylene, and isobutane. LPG is a highly flammable mixture of these hydrocarbon gases which is widely used as a fuel in household cooking applications.