Environment 2017 Flashcards
India’s 1st vertical garden is at?
Bengaluru
Banana research centre is at?
Recently at Vaishali.. Earlier at Tiruchirapalli (TN)
Which state’s banana productivity is lower than national average?
Bihar
Which state is largest producer of Banana
Maharashtra followed by TN
Liveability Index will be launched by?
Ministry of Urban Development
Dtandards for Liveability Index?
Physical (energy, waste water, housing etc)
Institutional/Governance
Social (health, education, culture etc)
Economic
Goldman Environment Prize?
Also known as Green Nobel Prize
Given to Prafulla Samantra for his 12 year battle for the land rights of indigenous Dongria Kondh and protection of Niyamigiri Hills through his NGO Lok Shakti Abhiyan
How is mesopelagic area mapped?
Until now by Sonar..
New robots- Deep See, Mesobot, and Snowclops
Algaes do not live in this area.. It is home to largest number of vertebrates
WHo makes Building code?
Bureau of Indian Standards under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Where will the world environment education congress host in 2017
Vancouver, Canada
It is the largest int’l congress addressing edcation for environment and sustainable development
Its permanent secretariat is at Turin, Italy
Where will the climatr change conference be held in 2017?
Bonn, Germany
Vienna Energy Forum?
It aims to explore how energy can contribute to meeting global development challenges. It is a biennial, global and multi-stakeholder forum
It is a joint initiative of Austrian govt, Int’l Institute for Applied System Analysis, and UNIDO
UNIDO
It is a specialized agency of the UN. Its mission as per Lima Declaration is to promote inclusive and sustainable development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.
It is headquartered in Vienna
What is Ecologically Sensitive Area?
MoEF defines it as a bio-climatic unit wherein human actions have caused irreversible changes in the structure of biological communities and their natural habitats.
EPA,1986 doesn’t mention it explicitly
Which states are conducting syncronized elephant census?
Odisha, WB, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh using direct and i direct methods
First Tiger Reserve to get official mascot?
Bhoorsingh- the Barasingha at Kanha TR, MP.
Also called swamp deer, the state animal of MP
Vulnerable
Extinct in Pak and Bangladesh and is native to India and Nepal
State Bird of Delhi?
House sparrow
Seminary Hills in Nagpur is to be designated as sparrow conservation site
Similar prog is being launched at Sanjay Gandhi NP, Borivali and forest deptt’s Rambagh Colony in Chandrapur
Shahtoosh?
Banned under CITES
Obtained from Tibetan Antelope, Chiru (Near Threatened)
Schedule 1 animal
Migrates from Tibet to Ladakh in summer
Which state is setting Bustard breeding centre?
Rajasthan.. State bird of Rajasthan
Found in central and western India and Eastern Pak
It avoids irrigated areas
Schedule-1 of WPA and CMS or Bonn convention
Appendix-1 of CITES
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
Indian wild dogs (Dholes)
Schedule 2 of WPA
ENDANGERED
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Vishakapatnam ran a conservation breeding centre. It is largest zoo of AP
Black necked crane
Arunachal Migratory birds.. Commonly found in china Sacred to buddhists Legally protected in Bhutan and India VULNERABLE schedule-1 Locally known as Dhung Dhung Karma Only high altitude crane Build nests in vast open environment
Star tortoises
Chinnar WS, only rehab centre for start tortoises
Inhabit scrublands, grasslands and some coastal scrublands of arid and semi-arid regions
Found in India pak sri lanka
Appendix 2 of CITES
VULNERABLE
schedule 4 of WPA
First sanctuary in Maharshtra to be declared satellite core?
Umred Karhandla WS, Nagpur is declared satellite core for Bor TR
A satellite core is a sub-protected area supporting another protected area
Kharai camels
Swimming camels Found only in Gujarat's bhuj area Can survive in both coastal and dry ecosystems Grazes on saline/mangraove trees Tolerant to high saline water Can swim upto 3km in sea
Bred by Fakirani Jats (handlers) and Rabaris (owners)
Greater Adjutant Stork
Found in Assam and Cambodia as breeding centres
ENDANGERED
Whitley Awards
Also called Green oscars
Given to-
1. Sanjay Ghubbi of Karnataka to protect tiger corridors
2. Purnima Barman for conservation of Greater Adjutant Stork
Tree living crab found in?
Kerala
Kani tribe
Congress Grass
Carrot weed.. Is a versatile annual herb
Scientific name is Partheniun hysteophorus
Native of tropical america and west indies
Introduced in India as a contaminant of food grains imported from Mexico (1956)
Found in entire india except hilly states
Biological control through Mexican beetle
Pesticides like Glaiphoset and matribuzin
Int’l plant protection convention (IPPC)
It is a multilateral treaty overseen by FAO
Aims to secure coordinated effective action to prevent and to control the introduction and spread of pests of plants and plant products
It extends beyond the protection pf cultivated plants to the protection of natural flora and plant products
It takes into consideration both direct and indirect damage by pests, so it includes weeds
It is recognized by WTO’s Agreement if Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures as the only int’l standard setting body for plant health
Diesel Particulate Filter
Used in BS V
removes Particulate matter/soot from diesel exhaust
Needs temp of 600 degree celsius to function
Selective catalytic reduction technology
Reduces nitrogen oxides by injecting an aqueous solution having ammonia
Used in BS VI
fixed in engine exhaust
Flue gas?
It is a mixture of gases which is produced by combustion of fuel and other materials in power stations and various industrial plants and released in the atmosphere via flu (ducts)
Contains oxides of nitrogen, CO2, CO, sulphur oxides, particulate matter like soot
Flue gas desulfurization technology
Used to remove sulphur dioxide from exhaust flue gases of fossil fuel power plants, as well as from the emissions of other sulphur oxideh emitting processes
Project MIDAS
UK based Antarctic research project, investigating the effects of warming climate on the Larsen C ice shelf
8 Missions under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
National Solar Mission
national water mission
National Mission for Enhanced Energy efficiency
National mission for sustainable habitats
National mission for sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem
National mission for green india
National mission for sustainable agriculture
National mission on strategic knowledge for climate change
Green climate fund was formally established in?
Durban, south africa
Idea for green climate fund was first proposed at
Copenhagen
Adaptation Fund?
It was set up in 2001 under Kyoto protocol of UNFCCC
MANAGED BY Adaptation Fund Board
Meets twice a year
Mission Innovation
Announced during CoP 21 at paris by countries with shared desire to accelerate global energy innovation with following aims:
- To make clean energy affordable
- To address climate change
- To create green jobs and commercial opportunities
India is founding member of steering committee and also member of 2 sub-groups: Joint research and Capacity Building and Pvt sector engagement
Carbfix project
Project in iceland
Aims to lock away CO2 by reacting it with basaltic rocks
This is called enhanced weathering
Wheat Blast
Disease has entered Bangladesh and can reach India by import, wind etc
Caused by Fungus Magnapartheorhyzae, which also causes Rice Blast
Thrives in hot humid climate
First identified in Brazil
Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture was organized at?
Rome by FAO
India’s first green corridor
Manamadurai-Rameshwaram stretch of Southern Railway became India’s 1st Green corridor
Rameshwaram railway station had already been developed as Green Station
Food legume research platform to be set up at?
MP by ICARDA and ICAR
ICARDA: Int’l Council for Agricultural research in dry Areas
Photocatalyst to completely degrade industrial dyes
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles doped with sulphur and carbon by treating it with red seaweed polymer carrageenan
By central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute
Which state govt launched a scheme to produce hydroponics green fodder?
Kerala
Which country banned deforestation?
Norway
Which country topped WB’s Energy Efficiency Implementation Readiness Index?
Andhra
Followed by Rajasthan and Karnataka
Bani Grassland
Arid grassland in Kutch
It is believed to be last known habitat of cheetah in india
1st genetic garden of halophytes in the world is at?
Tamil Nadu
Earth’s oldest living animal with a backbone
Greenland shark
Until now, it was bowhead whale
Ecological Experimental Zones
China will set up several EEZ to carry out reforms in ecological civilization in a bid to improve the environment damaged by fast paced development in past 3 decades
Its aim is to incorporate certain ecological friendly practices in these zones which are also aligned with the development needs
Mythical chandrabhaga river found at?
Near konark sun tenple, odisha
Winter Fog Experiment (WIFEX)
Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched WIFEX to achieve better understanding of fog lifecycle at Indira Gandhi Int’l Airport, Delhi
Heritage awards
By IUCN
Assam based Bibhuti Lahkar became 1st Asian to be awarded for saving the grasslands, flora and fauna of Manas NP
He was instrumental in connecting Manas NP with Royal Manas NP of Bhutan
Luc Hoffman award
By IUCN
Given to Dr. Dhrubajyoti Ghosh
He mapped the area of East Kolkatta wetland and innovatively calculated the economic value of its loss and presented it in Net Present Value which could easily be used in GDP and other mathematical calculations
Rip tides
Also known as ebb jet or tidal jet
These are powerful currents running perpendicular to the shore
They pull the water out into the ocean
Rip currents are caused due to shape of the shoreline or due to formation of sandbar
Polachira wetlands
27th annual waterfowl census was conducted here
It is in kollam, kerala
It is breeding ground for migratory birds from all around the world
Eurasian spoonbills were spotted here
Eurasian spoonbills
Migratory birds breeding from UK and Spain in the west to Japan in the east
Hakki Habba
3 day bird festival which was held at Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary near Hampi
Sloth bears
A specie of bear found only in india, nepal and sri lanka
Nocturnal
Known as karaddi locally
Have poor vision and hearing but good sense of smell
Daroji sanctuary is biggest sloth bird sanctuary in Asia
Vulnerable
Appendix 1 of CITES
Schedule 1 of WPA
Seaweed
Agar-agar (Japan), Alginic acid (Europe)
It is medicinal food
Rich in vitamins and minerals
Used in cosmetics and drugs
China produces over half of world’s seaweed and Indonesia 27%
In india- Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Cath Bay, Hansadweep and Bay Islands
Brics udaipur declaration
Disaster management
Samudra pahredar
India and Sri Lanka held join oil spill prevention exercise onboard the Indian Coast Guard ships
Disaster Risk Index
Calculated by University of Stuttgart
India ranks 77th
Vanuatu topped
ENVIS
Environmental Information System
Under MoEF
Central sector scheme
Aims at information collection, storage and dissemination related to environment sector for promoting sustainable practices
Helps in policy formulation and decision making as well as environment impact assessment by agencies
National Electricity Mobility Mission Plan
To achieve national fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles
The govt plans to incentivize the buyers
Green corridor project
A project for evacuation of renewable energy from generation points to the load centres by creating intra-state and inter-state transmission infrastructure
Intra-state component is being implemented by respective states
Power Grid Corporation of India will implement inter-state component
1st corridor is being set for states rich in renewable energy
Green Highway policy
Plantation drive of 1500km of National Highway
1% of the total project cost will be kept aside in Green Highway Fund
Release of funds to empanelled agencies only if they have achieved a survival rate of 90% in previous year
Implementation and progress will be monitored via ISRO and audit will involve modern IT tools
Green Urban Transport Scheme (GUTS)
Provision of non-motorized transport infrastructure
Increasing access to public transport
Use of clean technologies
Adoption of Intelligent transport systems
Private sector participation
Metro Policy
Preparation of comprehensive mobility plans of cities to ensure last mile connectivity with metro stations besides bringing in more innovative models of implementation
State govt would be encouraged to form Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority to facilitate coordinated planning and implementation of projects relating to urban transport and integrated management
Non-Motorized Transport
Promote NMT infrastructure for encouraging walking and cycling
Swachhta Pakhwada Campaign
To achieve total sanitization and cleanliness under Swachh Bharat Mission
Under it, a Swachh Bharat Fortnight if being organized by different ministries
It is voluntary
National Green Corps
Initiative of MoEF for creating environmental awareness
Aims at building cadres of young children working towards environmental conservation and sustainable development
Operated through Eco-Clubs which are set up in schools
Report on Animals and Plant Discoveries released by?
MoEF with the help of Botanical Survey of India and Zoological Survey of India
Most discoveries were made in Eastern Himalyas, followed by Western Ghats and then A&N islands
Kerala Bird Atlas Project
To map the distribution and abundance of birds of an entire Indian state
First time in India that birds in an entire state are being mapped
Other similar effort was done in Mysore
Coordination by Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology, Bird Count India, and E-Bird
CRZ-1
Ecologically sensitive areas that are essential in maintaining the ecosystem of the coast. They lie between low and high tide line.
Exploration of natural gas and extraction of salts is permitted
CRZ-2
These areas form upto the shoreline of the coast.
Unauthorized structures are not allowed to construct in this zone
CRZ-3
Rural and urban localities which fall outside the 1 and 2. Only certain activities related to agriculture and some public facilities are allowed
CRZ-4
Lies in the aquatic area upto territorial limits.
Fishing and allied activities are permitted in this zone
Solid waste should be let off in this zone
Pakhui Tiger Reserve
Now known as Pakke TR, Arunachal
Dudhai Biodiversity Management committee
in Uttrakhand
Banned illegal sand mining and revived river ecosystems
ESZ prhibited area
Commercial mining
Setting of saw mill
Setting of Industries causing pollution
Establishment of major hydroelectric projects etc
ESZ Regulated area
Felling of Trees
Establishment of Hotels and Resorts
Erection of electric cables
Drastic change of agricultural systems etc
ESZ Permitted
Ongoing agriculture and horticulture by local communities
Rain water harvesting
Organic farming etc
Wildlife Conservation Society India Program
Based in Bengaluru
Has combined cutting edge research on tigers and other wildlife with national capacity building and effective site-based conservation through constructive collaborations with governmental and non-governmental partners
Nilambur Teak
Kerala
Set to get GI tag
Oldest teak plantation in world
World’s first teak museum
Neurocalyxcalycinus
Multiple therapeutic properties
Used by Cholanaikkan Tribe of Kerala
Endemic to Western Ghats and Sri Lanka
Locally known as Pachachedi
It has anti-inflammatory properties similar to diclofenac sodium
High Vitamin E content and cytoprotective activity
Cholanaikkan Tribe
PVTG of Kerala
Only surviving hunter gatherer tribe in India
Do not engage in farming
Only tribal community in Asia to live in rock-cut shelters
Impatiens or Balsam or Jewel weeds
Seen in pristine forests where moisture content and relative humidity are high
Found in Eravikullam NP which is surrounded by sholas and have highest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr
Sholas
Stuntet tropical montane forest in valleys amid rolling grasslands
New species of Eel found in?
Bay of Bengal along WB coast
Eels are found mostly at the bottom of rivers and seas. This species was found at 35m depth in the sea
Irawaddy dolphins or snubfin dolphins
Found from northwest Bay of Bengal to south of Indonesia
Vulnerable
Chillika lake emerged as primary habitat
Also found at Bhitarkanika and Gahirmatha
Fishing Cat
West Bengal declared it as state animal
It is medium sized wild car of south and south east Asia
Vulnerable
Found in vicinity of wetlands, rivers streams, oxbow lakes, swamps and mangroves
Wildlife crime control Bureau
Statutory body under wildlife protection Act
Tackles wildlife related crimes in the country
Assisted by other law enforcement agencies in investigation
Operation Thunder Bird
Codenamed for Interpol’s multi-national and multi-species enforcement operation
The operation brought about awareness among the enforcement agencies to focus on the existing trade routes and major hubs in the country
WCCB under MoEFCC participated
Operation Save Kurma
WCCB convened specific specific operation in turtles
Bornean Orangutan
Critically endangered declared
Native to borneo
Together with the Sumatran orangutan, it belongs to the only genus of great apes native to Asia
Indian Roller Bird or Neelkanth
Schedule 4 but is getting endangered
State bird of various states like Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
Under schedule 4, capturing and displaying bird is illegal
Invasive Giant African Land Snail sighted at?
Goa University Campus
Listed in world’s top 100 invasive species
Home of Big Five?
Kaziranga NP
5- one horned rhino, asiatic wild buffalo, Tigers, eastern swamp deer, and Elephant
Houses 2/3rd of world’s 1-horned rhino (Vulnerable)
Highest density of tiger in wild in world
Almost entire population of eastern swamp deer
World heritage site by UNESCO
Asia’s biggest Arch dam
Idukki arch dam
Olive ridley turtles
Smallest and most abundant of all sea turtle species
Omnivores
Heart shaped shell
Found in warmer waters, including south Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans
Known for arribadas (synchronized mass nesting)
Gahirmatha located in Bhitarkanika houses world larget mass nesting site of turtles
Hope Islands of Coringa WS, AP has also emerged as breeding ground
Breeding season is from Oct to feb
Vulnerable
Schedule 1 of WPA
IUCN status of Giraffe
Vulnerable
Kashmiri Red stag or Hangul
Critically Endangered
Known for its giant antlers bearing 11-16 points
Confined to Greater Dachigam Landscape encompassing Dachigam NP and surrounding areas
State Animal of J&K
Other CE animal of J&K is markhor
Schedule-1 of WOA
Indian painted frog
Spotted in Bejjur forest in Adilabad, Telangana
Found in tree holes, burrows, pollution free wetlands and riverine areas
Least concern
Bejjur reserve forest
On the banks of Pranhita river
The Peddavagu stream cuts across the forest
Smooth coated otter
Sighted for the first time in the mangrove forest adjacent to Krishna WLS
Presence indicates the rise if mangrove cover
It is distributed through out south Asia and south east asia
Vulnerable
Eurasian Otter
Discovered from Satpura TR and Kanha-Pench corridor
It was believed to be restricted to Himalyas and some parts of western ghats
Near threatened
One of the rarest Indian mammal but is widely distributed in Europe, Africa and Asia
Indian wild orange
Locally known as Biurengthai
Earlier was reported only from Garo hills and used for spiritual and medicinal purpose
Now found in Manipur too
It is native Indian species of citrus
Considered most primitive citrus
Endangered
Nokrek BR is imp site
Himalyan Brown Bear
Spotted in Ladakh’s Drass sector
Largest mammal in Himalyan region
Critically endangered
State with highest tigers
Karnataka
Followed by UK
2 new TR in Uttrakhand
Nandhaur and Surai Range
With these, UK will be 1st state to have 4 TRs
Country’s 1st tiger repository
Under Wildlife Institute of India
Asian waterbird census data
It is world’s longest biodiversity management programme
It happens every Jan across Asia and Australia during non-breeding period
In India, coordinated by Bombay Natural History society along with Wetlands Int’l
Taj Mahal turned green because of?
Release of faeces and dirt by insect Geoldichironomous
Seechewal model
Named after environment activist Balbir Singh Seechewal who revived Kali Bein rivulet (a rivulet of Beas river) in Punjab
Hawa Badlo App
Launched by Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority
It lets people report incidences of air pollution to the govt
Each complaint would be geo-referenced
It will generate weekly report which will be sent to Central and State Pollution Control Boards
