Welcome to the world of UPSC Geography Current Affairs for the 10th of July 2023, where we embark on a journey to explore the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of geography as it pertains to one of the most prestigious and competitive civil service examinations in the world. In this edition, we delve into the latest developments, discoveries, and geopolitical trends that are shaping the field of geography and influencing the way we understand our planet. These insights will not only prove invaluable to aspirants preparing for the UPSC examinations but also offer a broader perspective on the interconnectedness of geographical factors with global events and challenges. Join us as we uncover the significance of geography in the contemporary world and its relevance in the pursuit of informed, responsible, and effective governance.
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
Why in news ?
The University of California Los Angeles, and Columbia University investigate the effects of climate change on extreme weather events
Background :
The climate and the mean temperature at the Earth’s surface depend on the balance between incoming (short wave) solar energy and outgoing energy (infrared radiation) emitted from the Earth’s surface. Greenhouse gases trap some of the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth and keep the planet warmer than it would be otherwise.
All these increases are clearly caused by human activities connected in large part with burning fossil fuels, land use, and industrial processes.
Extreme weather events across the world that were unusual
- Polar Vortex in the United States (2014 and 2019): The polar vortex, a large pocket of extremely cold air, descended into the United States, causing record-breaking low temperatures and heavy snowfall in regions not accustomed to such conditions, including parts of the Midwest and Northeast.
- Heatwaves in Europe (2003 and 2019): Europe experienced severe heatwaves in 2003 and 2019. The 2003 heatwave resulted in thousands of deaths across the continent, and in 2019, several countries, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, recorded record-breaking temperatures.
- Drought in Cape Town, South Africa (2017-2018): Cape Town experienced a severe multi-year drought, resulting in the city nearly running out of water. The situation prompted drastic water-saving measures and raised concerns about water scarcity in urban areas.
- Australian Bushfires (2019-2020): Australia witnessed an unprecedented bushfire season, with vast areas of the country engulfed in flames. The fires burned for months, destroying homes, habitats, and causing significant loss of life, both human and animal.
- Flooding in Venice, Italy (2019): Venice faced its highest tide in more than 50 years, flooding the city and causing extensive damage to historical sites and infrastructure.
- El Niño in India ( 2015 ) : El Niño event in India weakens the monsoon , delayed the onset of monsoon , eventually resulting in the non uniform variation of rainfall in the country.
Social impact of climate and weather extremes
- Human Health: Extreme weather events can pose risks to human health. It led to respiratory and heart diseases, West Nile virus na dither diseases like Lyme disease.
- Displacement and Migration: In 1995, Bangladesh’s Bhola island was half submerged by rising sea levels, leaving 50,000 people homeless
- Food Security: Malnutrition , water shortages , low output per acre are major challenges. Global Food policy 2022, estimates that climate change could escalate the hunger issue amongst Indians by 2030.
Economic impact of climate and weather extremes
- Infrastructure Damage: Severe weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and storms can cause extensive damage to infrastructure. In 2021, Cyclone Yaas caused infrastructure damage of Rs 610 crores in Odisha.
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Climate and weather extremes can disrupt supply chains, affecting manufacturing, transportation, and trade. Aviation is probably the transport sector most affected , as climate change increases unstable weather.
- Tourism and Recreation : Studies indicated that winter tourism will see approximately 64% drop in demand if temperatures rise throughout skiing seasons.
Environmental impact of climate and weather extremes
- Loss of Biodiversity: As temperature increases and rainfall changes, some species will face the risk of extinction. The possible demise of polar bears in arctic areas is tied directly to the effects of global warming.
- Ocean Acidification: Increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) due to climate change are causing the acidification of oceans.
This phenomenon would be disastrous for planktons , coral up the food chain to sea stars.
- Changes in Phenology: Climate extremes can disrupt the timing of natural events, such as flowering, migration, and hibernation, known as phenological shifts. Blooming of rhododendron heralds the onset of spring in the Himalayas , but they are now flowering early in the winter itself.
Global Measures taken to reduce the Impact of climate change
- The Paris Agreement: The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, is a landmark international treaty aimed at limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Under the Paris Agreement, countries are required to submit their NDCs, which outline their national climate targets and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Renewable Energy Transition: International initiatives like the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) support the transition to renewable energy globally.
- Carbon Pricing: Carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes and emissions trading systems, are being implemented in several countries and regions. These mechanisms put a price on carbon emissions, providing economic incentives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: It involves sharing clean and sustainable technologies, knowledge, and expertise with developing countries to help them adopt climate-friendly practices, build resilience, and address the challenges posed by climate change.
CSE ( Centre for Science & Environment ) Report on extreme weather in India 2022
Key findings
- India witnessing the disaster on almost every day in nine months of 2022 ranging from cyclones to floods and landslides.
- Extreme weather events have claimed irreparable damage , caused 2755 death, impacted 1.8 million hectares of crop area and killed 70,000 live stock
- Loss and damage fund is under-utilised as data for loss of public property and crop loss is not available.
- Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of days with extreme weather . Himachal Pradesh saw the highest human fatalities and Assam reported the most number of damaged houses.
Measures taken by India to weaken the extreme weather events
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): India has developed the NAPCC, which includes eight missions addressing specific areas, such as solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, water management, and sustainable habitat.
- Renewable Energy Expansion: The country aims to achieve 450 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, including solar, wind, and hydropower.
- Energy Efficiency Programs: Initiatives like the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme and the Standards & Labeling program focus on improving energy efficiency in industries, buildings, appliances, and transportation.
- Climate Resilient Agriculture: National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (crop insurance scheme) are few efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture, water conservation, and improved farm practices.
- Forest Conservation and Afforestation: Initiatives like the Green India Mission and the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) focus on afforestation, reforestation, and biodiversity conservation.
- International Cooperation: India joined international initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, and collaborated with other countries on clean energy technologies, capacity building, and climate finance.
Is climate change only to be blamed for extreme weather ?
Not all extreme weather events can be solely attributed to climate change. Here are some points highlighting the complexity of attributing extreme weather events to climate change:
- Natural Climate Variability: Extreme weather events have occurred throughout Earth’s history, driven by natural climate variability. Factors such as El Niño/La Niña cycles, volcanic eruptions, and other natural phenomena can contribute to the occurrence of extreme weather events independently of human-induced climate change.
- Regional and Local Factors: Extreme weather events can be influenced by regional and local factors that are not directly related to climate change. Factors such as topography, land use changes, urbanization, and localized weather patterns can play a significant role in the occurrence and impacts of extreme weather events.
- Natural Climate Oscillations: Natural climate oscillations, such as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), have cyclic patterns that can influence regional weather patterns and the occurrence of extreme events.
- Timeframe Considerations: Climate change is a long-term trend that manifests over decades to centuries. Attribution studies typically focus on long-term trends rather than individual events. It is crucial to distinguish between short-term weather variability and long-term climate trends when considering the role of climate change in extreme events.
Conclusion :
Accepting the reality of climate change and avoiding its politicisation is crucial. It is necessary to emphasise the importance of international cooperation in addressing climate change and mitigating its negative effects. In addition, it is essential to recognise that alongside mitigation efforts, adaptation to climate change is necessary to address the current adverse impacts we are experiencing. Mitigation alone is insufficient in dealing with the consequences of climate change. An international level comprehensive plan of action is necessary for inclusive and sustainable growth of the global community.
Where to use ?
Paper I ( Geography optional ) : Global climatic changes , Role and Response of Man in climatic changes
Paper I ( General Studies ) : Global warming
Source : NPR ; EARTH JUSTICE
News in brief
Oceans cool the planet by releasing short-lived halogens
Why in news ?
Cooling by halogens could increase to 18-31 per cent by 2100 which has not been accounted yet by climate models.
About:
- Short-lived halogens ( chlorine, bromine and iodine compounds ) with a lifetime of less than six months in the atmosphere, are naturally produced by phytoplanktons and algae in the oceans.
- Apart from absorbing carbon dioxide and moderating the climate, oceans also cool the planet by releasing short-lived halogens
- Currently, these halogens contribute 8-10 per cent of cooling and could increase to 18-31 per cent by 2100, the study published in Nature projected.
- Human activities have amplified their release into the atmosphere. It causes pollutants such as ozone to deposit on the ocean, which then convert the soluble short-lived halogens into insoluble ones, forcing them out of the sea water and into the atmosphere.
- Short lived halogens cause a depletion of ozone in the troposphere and impact the global radiative balance.
- Short-lived halogens from oceans reduces warming by depleting ozone but they increase methane’s lifetime in the atmosphere by destroying hydroxyl radicals (OH).
- Halogen emissions from the ocean are not the same across the world. “Over continents, the emissions are small while it is bigger in polar regions and some places with higher ozone levels.
Warming effect of Short lived Halogens
- Increased global methane burden by 14 per cent and 9 per cent for pre-industrial and present-day conditions, respectively.
- Increases the levels of water vapour, a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere.
- Reduce the formation of cooling aerosols suspended in the atmosphere that reflect sunlight.
- Drive an increase in warming by influencing methane, water vapour and aerosols, and compensate this by destroying ozone, exerting a cooling effect.
Where to use ?
Paper I ( Geography optional ) : Oceanography , Marine pollution
Source: Down to Earth
News in brief
Tectonic deformation in northern Haryana plains south of Himalayas
Why in news ?
Piedmont zone between Ghaggar and Yamuna river basins and found signs of an active tectonic deformation
About:
- Convergence between the Indian tectonic plate and Eurasian plate lifting the Himalayas has deformed the piedmont zone of Haryana ( currently seismic zone IV) , shortened the lithosphere and could make it a seismic hazard zone
- Active tectonics and geodynamic framework of the area may have played a role in the extinction of the Vedic Saraswati river .
- Active deformation, propagating further south of the Himalayan front may reach the piedmont zone of the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains.
Evidences
- Tectonically controlled evolution of the region’s landscape was proven by characteristics like the debouching of the Ghaggar and Yamuna tributaries and seasonal streams into the piedmont zone from the Siwalik.
- Upwarped Piedmont zone is a badland zone trending parallel to the Himalayas. Rivers also shifted their courses in response to the upliftment in the piedmont zone, exhibiting a migration pattern.
- Abandoned channels and small abandoned tributaries helped us infer the evidence of the paleoflow.
Tools used
- Geophysical ground penetrating radar (GPR) is used for obtaining high resolution profiles of the subsurface over a depth range of a few metres to several tens of metres.
- Possible locations and types of active tectonic features such as subsurface faults, lineaments and warps are identified with GPR.
- Presence of geomorphic signatures such as drainage gradient anomalies, abrupt changes in river flow direction, river shifts, palaeochannels, compressed meanders and topographic breaks helped us identify the features.
Where to use ?
Paper I ( Geography optional ) : Geomorphology , Physical condition of earth interior
Paper II ( Geography optional ) : Structure and relief
Source : Down to Earth
Key terms :
- Miyawaki : This is method which involves planting two to four different types of indigenous trees within every square metre.The plants used in the Miyawaki method are mostly self-sustaining and don’t require regular maintenance like manuring and watering. Recently, Prime Minister of India in his recent episode of ‘Mann ki Baat’, discussed the concept of Miyawaki plantation.
- Black gold : It is a type of fossil fuel found in the form of sedimentary rocks and is often known as ‘Black Gold’.It is a conventional source of energy and is widely available. It is used as a domestic fuel, in industries such as iron and steel, steam engines and to generate electricity.
- Macrophyte : It is an aquatic plant that grows in or near water and is either emergent, submergent, or floating, and includes helophytes (a plant that grows in marsh, partly submerged in water, so that it regrows from buds below the water surface).
- Biosurfactants : Biosurfactants are natural compounds produced by microorganisms, and they possess surface-active properties. In the textile effluent treatment plant, biosurfactants are used in the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) to aid in the removal of dyes from the wastewater.
- Pulsating mechanism : It refers to the periodic contraction and expansion of the star. Pulsation periods provide valuable insights into the star’s radius, luminosity, and mass, affirming its current phase of core carbon-burning. Recently, researchers have compared the observed pulsation of Betelgeuse to theoretical estimates, indicating that the star is in its late carbon-burning stage.
Places in news:
- Dal lake : Dal is a lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is an urban lake, the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir. It is variously known as the “Lake of Flowers”, “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. Recently , a study revealed that it is on the verge of becoming a polluted wasteland that can no longer support native species. ( Approx. Srinagar )
- Mahadayi river : River Mahadayi spreads across the districts of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. It rises in the Western Ghats, in Belagavi district of Karnataka. Recently , Karnataka government received clearance from the Central government for two Detailed Project Reports (DPR) on the Kalasa-Banduri water diversion project on the Mahadayi River.
- Simlipal Tiger Reserve : It is located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. It is the 7th largest national park in India and Asia’s second-largest Biosphere Reserve. The park was declared a biosphere reserve by the Government of India in 1994. Recently, a forester was shot dead by poachers in Odisha’s Simlipal Tiger reserve. ( Approx. Mayurbhanj )
- Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary : It is a protected area in the Western Ghats, in Khanapur Taluk of Belgavi District near Jamboti Village, Karnataka. The Bhimgad forests are notable for the Barapede caves, the only known breeding area of the Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, a threatened species on the verge of extinction. Recently two forest guards have been suspended for failing to prevent encroachment in the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary. ( Approx. Belgavi )
- Dachepalli : Dachepalle town is the Municipality in Palnadu district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Naguleru stream is the source of water for the town. ( Approx. Guntur )
Case study : Impact of Brick kiln emissions on soil quality of Bangladesh ( Ashulia brick kiln cluster )
- There are more than 7000 active brick kilns in Bangladesh to meet the country’s growing demand for building materials. Urban air pollution has become a great concern in this region due to the stack emissions during the brick manufacturing period.
- However, study has also assessed the effect of heavy metals released from brick kiln emissions during their production period on the adjacent soil environment of the region.
- The concentration level of cadmium resulted to be very high than its threshold limit in the majority of the sampling locations. Study findings indicate prospective damage to the studied soil environment and ecological settings of Ashulia, due to the emissions from the brick kilns which require suggested emission control and soil remediation actions, and implementation of eco-brick manufacturing technologies without further delay.
Where to use ?
Paper I ( Geography optional ) : Soil erosion and degradation , Influence of man on ecology
Source : Science Direct
| Question : 1 Consider the following statements regarding Mayon volcano: It was a dormant volcano, which has recently become active in Philippines. It is the world’s most perfect volcanic cone because of symmetry of its shape. Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Ans. B Statement 1 is correct: It is an active volcano in southeastern Luzon, Philippines. Statement 2 is correct : Its name is derived from the local word for beautiful lady, daragang Mayon. It is called the world’s most perfect volcanic cone because of the symmetry of its shape. It lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire region, a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. Question : 2 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year . Which of the following is the theme for current year: Rising up from drought together. Her Land. Her Rights Our Land. Our Home. Our Future Protect Earth. Restore Land. Engage People Ans. B World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year on the 17th of June. The theme for this year is “Her Land. Her Rights” which focuses on women’s land rights, essential for achieving the interconnected global goals of gender equality and land degradation neutrality by 2030 and contributing to the advancement of several other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Question : 3 With reference to Miyawaki plantation , consider the following statements: In Miyawaki forest the seedlings are planted at very high densities. Mostly timber trees are preferred and the natural distribution of tree types is reduced. Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Ans. C Both statements are correct . In Miyawaki forest the seedlings are planted at very high densities. This replicates the regeneration process that occurs in a natural forest. Mostly timber trees are preferred and the natural distribution of tree types is reduced.This method of afforestation is only suitable in the sub-urban or the urban region with smaller spaces but not suitable in the tropical regions. Question : 4 Consider the following statements regarding Alligator Gar fish: It is one of the biggest freshwater fish in Bay of Bengal. These are found in some parts of India such as Bhopal and Kerala. Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Ans. B Statement 1 is incorrect : The alligator gar is a close relative of the bowfin species. It is a ray-finned euryhaline fish (creature’s ability to adapt to a wide range of water types that range in salinity) and is one of the biggest freshwater fish in North America and the largest species in the ‘gar’ family. Statement 2 is correct : It is found in some parts of India such as Bhopal and Kerala.They grow rapidly and have a life span of 20-30 years. |
| Question : 5 Consider the following statements regarding Bonn Climate meet: Global Stocktake ( GST ) should take place after every five years, starting from 2023. Progress was made in operationalizing the Santiago Network on loss and damage Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Ans. B Statement 1 is incorrect : According to the Paris Agreement, the GST should take place every five years, starting in 2023. Statement 2 is correct : Discussions focused on implementing balanced funding arrangements to address Loss and Damage (L&D) caused by climate change, particularly for vulnerable communities. While progress was made in operationalizing the Santiago Network on loss and damage, the issue of the network’s host remained unresolved. Question : 6 Betelgeuse, sometimes, recently in news is associated with which among the following: Supergiant star Asteroid Meteoroid Constellation Ans. A Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star that is nearing the end of its life. It is the second-brightest star in the constellation of Orion, after Rigel. Scientists noticed that Betelgeuse was mysteriously dimming in late 2019 following a traumatic outburst caused by the star blowing off a large portion of its visible surface. Question : 7 Consider the following statements regarding Greenwashing : Greenwashing is when companies sell products or services based on legitimate environmental positives. Greenwashing is considered an unfair trade practice but is not regulated by the Consumer Protection Act, of 2019. Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Ans. D Statement 1 is incorrect : Greenwashing is a marketing ploy that brands use to deceive consumers that their products, aims, and policies are environment-friendly. Statement 2 is incorrect : Greenwashing is considered an unfair trade practice and is regulated by the Consumer Protection Act, of 2019. Question : 8 Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct? (a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol (b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gasses below their emission quota (c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission (d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme. Ans. D A carbon credit is a permit that allows the owner to emit a specific amount of CO2 or other greenhouse gases. One credit allows for the emission of one tonne of CO2 or the equivalent in other greenhouse gases. The carbon credit is one component of a “cap-and-trade” programme. Polluters are given credits that allow them to continue polluting up to a certain limit. This limit is reduced on a regular basis. In the meantime, the company may sell any unsold credits to another company that requires them. Private companies are thus incentivized twice to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.First, if their emissions exceed the cap, they must spend money on additional credits. Second, they can profit by lowering their emissions and selling any excess allowances. Question : 9 Consider the following pairs: Places : Geographical Features Yucatan : Peninsula Stanley : Mountains Nullarbor : Plains Which of the above mentioned pairs are correct ? One pair Two pairs Three pairs None of the pairs Ans. C Pair 1 is correct : The Yucatán Peninsula is a large peninsula in southeast Mexico and adjacent portions of Belize and Guatemala. Pair 2 is correct : Mount Stanley or Mount Ngaliema is a mountain located in the Rwenzori range. With an elevation of 5,109 m, it is the highest mountain of both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, and the third highest in Africa. Pair 3 is correct : The Nullarbor Plain is one of nine distinct landscapes in the Alinytjara Wilurara region. It is an Australian icon and the world’s largest limestone plain landscape, covering 270,000 square kilometres. Question : 10 With reference to Star Rating Registration process of Coal and Lignite Mines , consider the following statements: Star Rating policy aims to evaluate mines based on environmental parameters but not on adoption of technologies. The ratings awarded range from Five Star to NO Star, by a committee set up by Ministry of Environment and Ministry of coal and mines. Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Ans. B Statement 1 is incorrect : The Star Rating policy aims to evaluate mines based on various factors across seven key parameters namely, Mining Operations, Environment-related parameters, Adoption of Technologies, Best Mining Practices, Economic performance, Rehabilitation & Resettlement, Worker-related Compliance and Safety & security. Statement 2 is correct : While the remaining 90% of the mines will undergo an online review process, all participants can contribute to the evaluation by reviewing other mines. The evaluation will be conducted by the Coal Controller’s Organization. The ratings awarded range from Five Star to NO Star, comprehensively evaluating each mine’s achievements. Question : 11 Consider the following statements regarding Sea weeds: Sea weeds are macrophytic which means they live in water or moist land surfaces. Sea weeds use light to fix atmospheric carbon dissolved in water. Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Ans. c Both statements are correct Seaweed, or macroalgae, refers to thousands of species of macroscopic, multicellular, marine algae. Seaweed is plant-like organisms, playing a key ecological role in coastal ecosystems. Seaweed is the common name for countless species of marine plants & algae that grow in the ocean as well as in rivers, lakes, & other water bodies. A seaweed may belong to one of several groups of multi-cellular algae: the red algae, green algae, and brown algae. Like plants, they use light to fix atmospheric carbon dissolved in water. Macroalgae are amongst the most powerful carbon-fixing organisms on earth. Their size ranges from a few millimetres up to 50 metres. They are macrophytic which means they live in water or moist land surfaces. They generally grow in the shallow waters in the tidal zone. Question : 12 Consider the following statements regarding Biosurfactants: It is an advanced oxidation process (AOP) utilized in the treatment plant. They are used in the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) to aid in the removal of dyes from the wastewater. Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Ans. B Statement 1 is incorrect: Cavitation is an advanced oxidation process (AOP) utilized in the treatment plant. It involves the creation of pressure variations in a liquid, leading to the formation and implosion of countless small cavities. Statement 2 is correct : Biosurfactants are natural compounds produced by microorganisms, and they possess surface-active properties. In the textile effluent treatment plant, biosurfactants are used in the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) to aid in the removal of dyes from the wastewater.The use of biosurfactants in the MBBR not only improves the efficiency of dye removal but also reduces operational time and cost compared to other biological treatment methods. Question : 13 In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation technique? It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation. Select the correct answer using the code given below: 1 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Ans. D Bioremediation is a treatment process that uses naturally occurring microorganisms (yeast, fungi, or bacteria) to break down, or degrade, hazardous substances into less toxic or nontoxic substances. The microorganisms break down the organic contaminants into harmless products-mainly Carbon Dioxide and water. It is a cost effective, natural process applicable to many common organic wastes. Many bioremediation techniques can be conducted on-site. Hence, statement 1 is correct. All contaminants cannot be easily treated by bioremediation using microorganisms. For example, heavy metals such as Cadmium and Lead are not readily absorbed or captured by microorganisms. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms designed for specific purposes for bioremediation. For example, Bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans (the most radioresistant organism known) has been modified to consume and digest Toluene and ionic Mercury from highly radioactive nuclear waste. Hence, statement 3 is correct. Question : 14 Consider the following pairs: Dams : Rivers Kalasa Banduri : Mahadayi Ranganadi : Brahmaputra Gangapur : Ganga Which of the above mentioned pairs are correct ? One pair Two pairs Three pairs None pairs Ans. B Pair 1 is correct : Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project is undertaken by the Government of Karnataka to improve drinking water supply to the three districts of Belagavi, Dharwad, and Gadag. Pair 2 is correct : The Ranganadi Dam is a concrete-gravity diversion dam on the Ranganadi River in Arunachal Pradesh, on the banks of Brahmaputra. Pair 3 is incorrect :Gangapur Dam, is an earthfill dam on Godavari river near Nashik in the state of Maharashtra in India. Question : 15 With reference to Wildlife Protection Act 1972, consider the following statements: It empowered the government to declare any land covered with trees as a government forest and make rules to manage it. The National Board for Wildlife serves as an apex body for the review of all wildlife-related matters constituted under this act. Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Ans. B Statement 1 is incorrect : The Wild Life (Protection) Act, of 1972 provides a legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants, management of their habitats, regulation, and control of trade in wild animals, plants, and products made from them The act also lists schedules of plants and animals that are afforded varying degrees of protection and monitoring by the government. India’s entry to the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) was made easier by the Wildlife Act. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir was not covered by the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The Indian Wildlife Protection Act now applies to J&K as a result of the reorganisation act. Statement 2 is correct : Bodies Constituted under the Wild life protection Act 1972: National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) Central Zoo Authority |
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