The Sundarbans mangrove forest is the largest contiguous mangrove ecosystem in the world.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Sundarbans, spanning India and Bangladesh, covers about 10,000 sq km and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar site.
Environment – True/False – GK Questions
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Ocean acidification, caused by absorption of excess CO2, threatens marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Lower pH reduces carbonate ion availability, making it harder for corals, mollusks, and plankton to build and maintain shells/skeletons.
Mangroves act as natural buffers against coastal erosion and storm surges.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Mangrove root systems stabilize shorelines, reduce wave energy, and protect inland areas from cyclones and tsunamis.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Ganga Action Plan was launched in 1986 to reduce pollution in the River Ganga.
- True
- False
Answer: True
GAP Phase-I was launched in 1986 to intercept, divert, and treat domestic sewage and industrial effluents entering the Ganga.
The term 'Virtual Water' refers to the hidden flow of water embedded in the production and trade of goods and services.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Virtual water represents the water used to produce commodities; trading such goods effectively transfers water resources between regions.
Rainwater harvesting helps in recharging groundwater and reducing surface runoff.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Rainwater harvesting captures and stores rain for direct use or groundwater recharge, reducing water scarcity and flood risks.
The sulfur cycle involves both atmospheric and sedimentary components.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Sulfur cycles through the atmosphere as SO2 from volcanoes and combustion, and through rocks and oceans as sulfates and sulfides.
Transpiration is the release of water vapor from plant leaves into the atmosphere.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Transpiration is part of the water cycle where plants release water vapor through stomata, contributing significantly to atmospheric moisture.
Nitrogen fixation is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is converted into ammonia (NH3) by certain bacteria.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Rhizobium convert inert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for plants, a crucial step in the nitrogen cycle.
The 'Brundtland Report' (1987) is credited with popularizing the term 'Sustainable Development'.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The World Commission on Environment and Development, chaired by Gro Harlem Brundtland, defined sustainable development in its report 'Our Common Future'.
The 'Circular Economy' model aims to eliminate waste by keeping resources in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair, and recycling.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Circular economy contrasts with the linear 'take-make-dispose' model, emphasizing resource efficiency and closed-loop systems.
Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- True
- False
Answer: True
This definition, from the Brundtland Report (1987), emphasizes intergenerational equity and balancing economic, social, and environmental goals.
The 'Appiko Movement' in Karnataka was inspired by the Chipko Movement and focused on forest conservation.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Appiko (meaning 'hug' in Kannada) was launched in 1983 in the Western Ghats to protect forests from commercial exploitation.
The 'Save Silent Valley' movement successfully prevented the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Kerala's Silent Valley National Park.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Public pressure and scientific advocacy led to the cancellation of the dam project, preserving the pristine tropical evergreen forest.