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Generate QuizEnvironment – GK Questions
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Which of the following is a key principle of the EIA process?
- Confidentiality of project details
- Precautionary principle and public participation
- Expedited approval without scrutiny
- Exclusion of local communities
Answer: Precautionary principle and public participation
EIA emphasizes precaution (acting despite uncertainty to prevent harm) and inclusive public consultation for transparent, sustainable decisions.
Environmental Monitoring is conducted only before project implementation as part of the EIA process.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Environmental monitoring occurs before (baseline), during (construction), and after (operation) project implementation to ensure compliance and impact management.
Which of the following projects typically requires Environmental Clearance in India?
- Small retail shop
- Residential building under 20,000 sq.m.
- Thermal power plant
- Primary school
Answer: Thermal power plant
Large infrastructure and industrial projects like thermal power plants have significant environmental impacts and require mandatory EC.
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) in India reviews EIA reports and recommends environmental clearance to the _____.
- Supreme Court
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- State Legislature
- National Green Tribunal
Answer: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
EACs, constituted by MoEFCC, appraise projects and advise the regulatory authority on granting or rejecting environmental clearance.
In the EIA process, 'scoping' refers to:
- Final approval of the project
- Identifying key environmental issues and setting terms of reference for the EIA study
- Conducting the public hearing
- Monitoring post-project impacts
Answer: Identifying key environmental issues and setting terms of reference for the EIA study
Scoping determines the scope and depth of the EIA, ensuring focus on significant impacts and efficient use of resources.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is applied at the policy, plan, or programme level rather than individual projects.
- True
- False
Answer: True
SEA integrates environmental considerations into higher-level decision-making, complementing project-level EIA for sustainable development.
Which of the following is NOT typically included in an Environmental Impact Assessment report?
- Baseline environmental data
- Predicted impacts and mitigation measures
- Detailed financial projections of the project
- Public consultation summary
Answer: Detailed financial projections of the project
EIA reports focus on environmental, social, and health impacts; financial analysis is part of project feasibility studies, not EIA.
EIA stands for Environmental _____ Assessment.
- Evaluation
- Impact
- Effect
- Examination
Answer: Impact
Environmental Impact Assessment is a process to evaluate potential environmental effects of proposed projects before decisions are made.
Public hearing is a mandatory component of the Environmental Impact Assessment process for most Category A projects in India.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Public consultation, including public hearings, allows affected communities to voice concerns and is required for most large projects under EIA rules.
In India, Environmental Clearance (EC) under the EIA Notification, 2006 is mandatory for which category of projects?
- All small-scale industries
- Projects listed in the Schedule with specified thresholds
- Only nuclear power projects
- Only mining projects
Answer: Projects listed in the Schedule with specified thresholds
The EIA Notification 2006 lists 39+ project categories requiring EC based on scale, location, and potential environmental impact.
Which of the following is a major indicator of soil health?
- Soil color only
- Organic matter content and microbial activity
- Soil depth only
- Rock content
Answer: Organic matter content and microbial activity
Soil organic matter and microbial diversity indicate fertility, structure, nutrient cycling capacity, and overall ecosystem health.
Mulching helps in conserving soil moisture and suppressing weed growth.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Mulch (organic or inorganic material) covers soil surface, reducing evaporation, moderating temperature, and inhibiting weed germination.
Which of the following is a technique to prevent wind erosion in arid regions?
- Terracing
- Windbreaks or shelterbelts
- Contour bunding
- Subsoiling
Answer: Windbreaks or shelterbelts
Planting rows of trees or shrubs as windbreaks reduces wind speed at ground level, minimizing soil particle displacement by wind.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was adopted in _____ in response to global land degradation concerns.
- 1992
- 1994
- 1997
- 2000
Answer: 1994
UNCCD was adopted in Paris in 1994 and entered into force in 1996, focusing on combating desertification and mitigating drought effects.
Which of the following is a benefit of using organic manure in agriculture?
- Increases soil salinity
- Improves soil structure and water retention
- Reduces microbial activity
- Causes soil compaction
Answer: Improves soil structure and water retention
Organic manure enhances soil porosity, nutrient content, and water-holding capacity, promoting sustainable agriculture.
Salinization of soil occurs primarily due to excessive irrigation in arid regions without proper drainage.
- True
- False
Answer: True
In arid areas, evaporation concentrates salts in the root zone; poor drainage prevents salt leaching, leading to soil salinization and reduced fertility.
Which of the following soil conservation methods involves planting different crops in a planned sequence on the same land?
- Strip cropping
- Crop rotation
- Contour ploughing
- Mulching
Answer: Crop rotation
Crop rotation improves soil fertility, breaks pest cycles, and reduces erosion by alternating crops with different nutrient needs and root structures.
The process of land becoming desert-like due to human activities and climate change is called _____.
- Deforestation
- Desertification
- Salinization
- Erosion
Answer: Desertification
Desertification is land degradation in drylands resulting from various factors including climate variability and unsustainable land use.
Terrace farming is a soil conservation technique used on hilly slopes to reduce water runoff.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Terracing creates stepped levels on slopes, slowing water flow, reducing erosion, and retaining soil moisture for cultivation.
Which of the following is a major cause of soil erosion in India?
- Afforestation
- Deforestation and overgrazing
- Organic farming
- Crop rotation
Answer: Deforestation and overgrazing
Removal of vegetation cover by deforestation and overgrazing exposes soil to wind and water, accelerating erosion and land degradation.