Environment – GK Questions

CRZ-I includes ecologically sensitive areas where development is highly restricted to protect biodiversity and natural processes.

CRZ-I to CRZ-IV classify areas based on ecological sensitivity, human settlements, and water areas to balance development and conservation.

Mangrove root systems stabilize shorelines, reduce wave energy, and protect inland areas from cyclones and tsunamis.

Warmer waters cause corals to expel symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae), leading to bleaching, reduced growth, and potential mortality.

EIA emphasizes precaution (acting despite uncertainty to prevent harm) and inclusive public consultation for transparent, sustainable decisions.

Environmental monitoring occurs before (baseline), during (construction), and after (operation) project implementation to ensure compliance and impact management.

Large infrastructure and industrial projects like thermal power plants have significant environmental impacts and require mandatory EC.

EACs, constituted by MoEFCC, appraise projects and advise the regulatory authority on granting or rejecting environmental clearance.

Scoping determines the scope and depth of the EIA, ensuring focus on significant impacts and efficient use of resources.

SEA integrates environmental considerations into higher-level decision-making, complementing project-level EIA for sustainable development.

EIA reports focus on environmental, social, and health impacts; financial analysis is part of project feasibility studies, not EIA.

Environmental Impact Assessment is a process to evaluate potential environmental effects of proposed projects before decisions are made.

Public consultation, including public hearings, allows affected communities to voice concerns and is required for most large projects under EIA rules.

The EIA Notification 2006 lists 39+ project categories requiring EC based on scale, location, and potential environmental impact.

Soil organic matter and microbial diversity indicate fertility, structure, nutrient cycling capacity, and overall ecosystem health.

Mulch (organic or inorganic material) covers soil surface, reducing evaporation, moderating temperature, and inhibiting weed germination.

Planting rows of trees or shrubs as windbreaks reduces wind speed at ground level, minimizing soil particle displacement by wind.

UNCCD was adopted in Paris in 1994 and entered into force in 1996, focusing on combating desertification and mitigating drought effects.

Organic manure enhances soil porosity, nutrient content, and water-holding capacity, promoting sustainable agriculture.

In arid areas, evaporation concentrates salts in the root zone; poor drainage prevents salt leaching, leading to soil salinization and reduced fertility.