All-Inclusive Current Affairs for Prelims 2021

Environment Class-1

Approx Sea level rise:

20 cm in 100 years Sea Level rise
Melting of Sea level Earth rotation Day length
Land ice Increase Slowdown Increase
Sea ice No effect No effect No effect

https://climate.nasa.gov/faq/30

Causes of Sea level rise? Mark all correct (but not melting of sea-ice and icebergs)

Biggest contributor to sea level rise?

Melting of land ice Thermal expansion of water

>

Arctic: Ocean, surrounded by land Antarctica: Land, surrounded by ocean

Arctic: Covered by thin layer of ice Antarctica: Covered by thick layer of ice
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 Arctic Amplification

What? Why?
Global temp rise → 1OC (Less Albedo due to less ice)
Arctic temp rise → 2OC ice melts → darker ocean exposed → more heat absorbed

Implications? (mark all correct) Polar bear, Weather, Climate, Coastal erosion, more rain, etc.

Oceans by size:
(PAISA)
Pacific
V
Atlantic
India’s research stations V
Indian
V
Southern
N.C. for Ocean Info Services V
N.C. for Polar & Ocean Research Arctic
N.C. for Coastal research
N.I. for Ocean Technology

Arctic Council: (not in Arctic)

▪ for cooperation on common arctic issues
▪ 1996 by Ottawa declaration; HQ: Norway
▪ 8 members: USA, Canada, Denmark, Iceland,
Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia
▪ India, China, etc. are observers
Prelims 2014:
Consider the following countries:
1. Denmark
2. Japan
3. Russian Federation (Largest)
4. United Kingdom
5. United States of America
Which of these are member of ‘Arctic Council’?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 4 and 5 (d) 1, 3 and 5
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 Aerosol Radiative Forcing
Radiative Forcing:
❑ Diff. b/w insolation absorbed and energy radiated by earth
❑ Positive: more absorption → warming
❑ Negative: more radiation → cooling

Aerosols:
❑ solid/liquid particles suspended in air
❑ their behaviour depends on their size/etc
❑ Source: Natural (e.g. dust), Anthro (e.g. combustion)
❑ Affects: weather, visibility, health, etc.

National Carbonaceous Aerosols Programme:

❑ Launched in 2011 by MoEFCC
❑ To study effect of Aerosols on Climate change

Prelims 2019:
In the context of which of the following do some scientists
suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the
injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?
(a) Creating the artificial rains in some regions
(b) Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
(c) Reducing the adverse effects of the solar wind on the earth
(d) Reducing the global warming

Mitigation vs Adaptation

Desert
plants
ADAPT to
Mitti Gate conditions

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 Emission Gap:
Emission Gap Report difference between where GHG emissions
are predicted to be in 2030, and where
they should be for 2/1.5 OC target

India’s INDCs: (by 2030)

Emission Gap 1) Reduce emissions by 33-35%,
compared to 2005 level
2) Create additional 2.5-3 billion
tonne of carbon sink
3) Get 40% energy from
non-fossil fuel sources.
Intended Nationally Determined Contribution

Key findings:
❑ Top 4 emitters: China > USA > EU > India
❑ GHGs are rising at rate of 1.5% annually
❑ World needs to cut emissions 7.6%
annually till 2030, to achieve 1.5OC
No efforts INDC targets Needed for 2OC target by 2100
Emissions in 2030

Famous publications: Famous awards it gives:

UNEP ✓ Emissions Gap report ✓ SEED Award
✓ Adaptation Gap report ✓ Sasakawa Prize
✓ Making Peace with Nature ✓ Champions of Earth
❑ United Nations Environment
✓ Global Environment Outlook ✓ Young Champions of Earth
❑ 1972; HQ: Nairobi, Kenya
✓ Cooling emissions and policy
❑ 1988: UNEP & WMO est. IPCC Hosts Secretariat for:
synthesis report
✓ 1973 CITES
UN Environment Assembly:
Making Peace with Nature: ✓ 1979 CMS
❑ Governing body of UNEP 3 planetary emergencies: ✓ 1987 Montreal Protocol
❑ Has universal membership a) Climate change ✓ 1992 CBD
of all 193 members b) Biodiversity loss ✓ 2013 Minamata Convention
c) Pollution ✓ If u don’t know, mark correct

Bamako Convention: no import of

hazardous/radioactive waste into Africa

Carpathian Convention: to protect

Carpathian mountains (Europe's 3rd
longest mountain range)

Tehran Convention: to protect marine

environment of Caspian sea

Caspian Sea:
❑ world's largest inland water body
❑ Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Azerbaijan,
Turkmenistan
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 Global Environment Facility Adaptation Fund Green Climate Fund
CoP-7 Marrakech (Morocco) CoP-16 Cancun (Mexico)
Convention Earth Summit, Rio (Brazil)
Under Kyoto Protocol (UNFCCC) Under UNFCCC
Foundation 1992 2001 2010
HQ Washington DC, USA Washington DC, USA Incheon, South Korea
Trustee World Bank World Bank World Bank
To help developing countries meet
To help developing countries To help developing
Purpose/ the objectives of international
build resilience and adapt to countries reduce their
Focus area environmental conventions and
climate change GHG emissions.
agreements.
❑ UNFCCC (also, 2 funds in 2001) Gets 2% of carbon credits Serves Paris agreement
→ Special Climate Change Fund under CDM of Kyoto protocol
→ Least Developed Countries Fund
Other info ❑ CBD
❑ UNCCD
❑ Stockholm Conv. on POPs
❑ Minamata Conv. on Mercury

Prelims 2014: Prelims 2015:

With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, Which of the following statements
which of the following statements is/are correct? regarding ‘Green Climate Fund’ are correct?
(a) It serves as financial mechanism for ‘CBD’ and 1. It is intended to assist the developing
‘UNFCCC’ countries in adaptation and mitigation
(b) It undertakes scientific research on practices to counter climate change.
environmental issues at global level 2. It is founded under the aegis of UNEP,
(c) It is an agency under OECD to facilitate the OECD, Asian Development Bank and
transfer of technology and funds to World Bank.
underdeveloped countries with specific aim to Select the correct answer:
protect their environment (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(d) Both (a) and (b) (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Climate Change Performance Index: Global Climate Risk Index:

❑ Published by: ❑ by Germanwatch
→ Climate Action Network ❑ India at #7; Mozambique most affected
→ Germanwatch State of Global Climate report: by WMO
→ NewClimate Institute World Meteorological Organization:
❑ Published since 2005 (i.e. not started recently) ❑ 1950; Geneva (Switzerland)
❑ 1st, 2nd, 3rd - None; 4th – Sweden; 10th – India ❑ Specialized agency of UN (15)
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 Three most important Green House Gases
❑ Colorless, Odourless gas
Lifetime 100 year GWP
❑ Simplest Hydrocarbon CH4
Methane ❑ Flammable, used as fuel CO2 50-200 years 1
❑ It has more Global warming Methane 12 years 25 (100)
potential than CO2 Nitrous Oxide 120 years 300

Sources: Sink:
Landfills, Fossil fuels, Soil, Agriculture, ❑ Atmosphere, Soil
Enteric fermentation, Permafrost melting, etc. ❑ Hydroxyl in air, Methanotrophs in soil
Methanogens: microbes that generate methane Methanotrophs: microbes that consume methane

Prelims 2008: Global Methane Initiative:

Consider the following ➢ Reduce emission, use as energy
1. Rice fields 2. Coal mining ➢ Formed in 2004, HQ Washington DC
3. Domestic animals 4. Wet lands ➢ Secretariat hosted by US EPA
Which of the above are sources of methane, ➢ India is founding partner since 2004
a major greenhouse gas? Methane hydrates:
(a) 1 and 4 only (b) 2 and 3 only ❑ Gas tapped in ice; 90% methane;
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 ❑ Found in many places, in Indian ocean also

Prelims 2019:
Which of the following statements are correct
about deposits of methane hydrate?
1. Global warming might trigger the release of
methane gas from these deposits
2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are
found in Arctic Tundra & under seafloor
3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon
dioxide after a decade or two.
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Prelims 2010:
Due to their extensive rice cultivation, some regions may be contributing to global warming.
To what possible reason / reasons is this attributable?
1. The anaerobic conditions associated with rice cultivation cause the emission of methane.
2. When nitrogen based fertilizers are used, nitrous oxide is emitted from the cultivated soil.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Sources: (many) Multiple applications like Problem:

Nitrous Oxide ❑ Most from agriculture ❑ Anaesthetic, pain relief ❑ GHG
laughing gas ❑ Also from lightning ❑ Engines, Rocket propellant ❑ Harms ozone

Global Carbon Project CO2 Budget / Methane Budget / N2O Budget

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 Assessment of Climate Change over Indian Region
❑ Findings of the report:
❑ good points for Mains, not Prelims
❑ Impact of climate change:
❑ mark all correct
❑ Related concepts:
❑ Third pole; retreating glaciers; cryosphere;
Karakoram anomaly

Third pole:
→ Hindu Kush – Karakoram – Himalayan
→ Largest area of ice and snow other
than the two poles

Cryosphere:
→ Areas where water is in solid form
→ Ice in sea/river/lake; glaciers; permafrost, etc.

Retreat of glacier
Karakoram Anomaly

➢ Climate Adaptation & REsilience for South Asia Region

CARE for SAR ➢ World Bank project for South Asia
➢ Will work with RIMES and ADPC

RIMES for Asia and Africa: Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC):
➢ Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early ➢ Est. in 1986; HQ Bangkok
Warning System ➢ To build disaster resilience in Asia and Pacific
➢ Formed in 2009 (efforts after 2004 tsunami)
➢ 9 founding members: Bangladesh, Cambodia,
➢ Operates from Thailand early warning center
China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines,
➢ Administrative Secretariat in Maldives
➢ Program Secretariat in Mongolia Sri Lanka, and Thailand

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 Carbon Capture, Use, Storage

Prelims 2017: Ocean acidification:

❑ Decrease in pH of Oceans
In the context of mitigating the impending global
❑ Due to oceans absorbing CO2
warming due to anthropogenic emissions of ❑ Sea water is slightly basic (pH > 7)
carbon dioxide, which of the following can be the ❑ Acidification: shift towards 7
potential sites for carbon sequestration? ❑ Ocean absorbs 23% of annual CO2 emissions
1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams
2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs
3. Subterranean deep saline formations
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Green-Ag 1. Madhya Pradesh: Chambal Landscape GHG emissions from

➢ launched in 2018 2. Mizoram: Dampa Landscape agriculture:
➢ by MoA&FW & FAO 3. Odisha: Similipal Landscape ❑ 39% from livestock
➢ In 5 states (not pan-India) 4. Rajasthan: Desert Nat. Park Landscape ❑ 37% from rice
➢ Funds from GEF 5. Uttarakhand: Corbett-Rajaji Landscape ❑ 12% meat

Decarbonizing Transport in Emerging Economies:

Decarbonizing Transport ✓ Currently in India, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Morocco
➢ It means reducing GHG ✓ In India, it was launched by NITI and ITF in June 2020.
emissions from transport sector. ➢ International Transport Forum is under OECD.
➢ Which of the following can help ➢ India is member of ITF since 2008.
in decarbonizing the transport NDC – Transport Initiative for Asia:
sector in India? (obvious like ✓ Decarbonise transport to help achieve NDCs
metro trains, electric vehicles, ✓ Supported by many organisations including ITF
carpooling, etc.) ✓ For India, China, Vietnam, for 2020-24 (NITI from India)
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 Carbon pricing Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition:
Monetary value applied to carbon emissions. e.g. ❑ Launched in 2015 at COP-21 in Paris
❑ Green tax, Carbon tax, Clean Environment Cess ❑ Voluntary initiative of countries,
❑ Internal Carbon Pricing, Trading of Carbon Credits companies, NGOs, etc.
❑ Clean Development Mechanism of Kyoto protocol ❑ Secretariat administered by World Bank
❑ Sustainable Development Mechanism of Paris Ag. ❑ From India, DMRC & Indian Railways
Article 6 of Paris Ag: carbon trading mechanisms

Market for buying

Carbon trading and selling carbon
emissions

Current Emissions Target Emissions

Kyoto Protocol: Kyoto mechanisms CDM of Kyoto:

❑ 1st
legally binding treaty ❑ To help Annex-1 countries meet ❑ Annex-I countries can buy
to reduce GHG emissions their emission reduction targets CERs from projects in
❑ 1997: adopted in Kyoto 1) Clean Development Mechanism developing countries
2005: came into force 2) Joint Implementation ❑ 1 Certified Emission Reduction
❑ Commitment periods 3) Emissions trading =
1 tonne CO2
2008-12, 2013-20 ❑ 2% goes to Adaptation Fund

Prelims 2008: Prelims 2016:

Consider the following statements:
Terms in news Their origin
1. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in
respect of carbon credits is one of the 1. Annex-1 countries Cartagena Protocol
Kyoto Protocol Mechanisms. 2. Certified Emissions Reductions Nagoya Protocol
2. Under the CDM, the projects handled
pertain only to the Annex-I countries. 3. Clean Development Mechanism Kyoto Protocol
Which of the above statements are correct? Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

National CDM Authority: National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change:

❑ Est. in 2003, under EPA 1986 ❑ 2015; Central sector scheme; for vulnerable states/UTs
❑ Chairperson is Secretary MoEFCC ❑ NABARD is implementing agency (also for Kyoto's AF)
Apex Committee for Implementation of Paris Agreement (AIPA):
❑ Est. in 2020, under EPA 1986 ❑ Regulate Carbon markets;
❑ Chairperson is Secretary MoEFCC ❑ Achieve 2030 INDCs
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 CoP-21 CoP-25
Paris agreement: ❑ 2019, in Madrid (Spain); Chile Presidency
❑ 2015/16; legally binding ❑ ‘Chile Madrid Time for Action’ document
❑ Limit global warming to ❑ ‘Gender Action Plan’ more women in climate decisions
2OC above pre-industrial ❑ ‘Santiago network’ for technical assistance on Loss & Damage
level Warsaw International Mechanism on L&D:
→ 2013, at CoP-19 in Warsaw, Poland
CoP-26 → Rich countries liable to developing countries
❑ Commitments made:
❑ November 2021 → by 2030, reduce GHG emission by 45% of 2010 levels
❑ Glasgow, UK → by 2050, attain carbon neutrality (CO2 emission = CO2 removal)
❑ CoP26 / CMP16 / CMA3
→ by 2100, limit temp rise to 1.5OC above pre-industrial level
CMA: CoP meeting for Paris Agreement
CoP: Conference of Parties of UNFCCC
CMP: CoP meeting for Kyoto Protocol

Prelims 2016:
International Solar Alliance Consider the following statements:
▪ founded at Paris in 2015; (1) ISA was launched at the United Nations
▪ HQ in Gurugram (Haryana) Climate Change Conference in 2015.
▪ cooperate on common challenges (2) The Alliance includes all the member
▪ mobilize $1 trillion investments by 2030 countries of the United Nations.
▪ membership now open to all UN members Which of the statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Initiatives:
▪ ISA CARES; World Solar Bank
▪ One Sun One World One Grid
▪ First World Solar Technology Summit
▪ Coalition for Sustainable Climate Action
▪ Awards: Diwakar, Visvesvaraya, Kalpana Chawla

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

✓ Countries, agencies, etc. will share knowledge to build disaster-resilient infra.
✓ It was launched by India PM in September 2019 at UN Climate Action Summit in New York.
✓ Its interim Secretariat is at NDMA headquarters in New Delhi.
✓ It is the second major coalition launched by India (first being International Solar Alliance).
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 Prelims 2021
1971 1981 1991 2001 2011
 Ramsar Convention  Convention on POPs
 For sustainable use of wetlands  aka Stockholm convention
 Only global Env. treaty that deals  POPs are organic pollutants
with a particular ecosystem.
that are resistant to
environmental degradation
th 1992
1972 (5 June) 1982  UN Conference on Environment and Development 2002 2012
 UN Conference on Human  Nairobi Declaration.  Earth Summit 2002  United Nations Conference on
 aka (Rio) Earth Summit
Environment.  To celebrate 10th anniversary of  UNFCCC : (Secretariat in Bonn, Germany)  aka Rio +10 Sustainable Development
 aka Stockholm Conference

Current Affairs
 First declaration of international Stockholm Conference. To reduce emission of GHGs. No limits, no  Johannesburg (South  aka Rio +20
 Envisaged creation of a special enforcement. Rather, provided for updates (Kyoto Africa)  Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
protection of environment.
 Formed UNEP commission for long term strategies. protocol).
 Declaration endorsed by UNEP in 1987  CBD : (Secretariat in Montreal, Canada)
three main goals- (1) Conservation of biodiversity;
(2) Sustainable use of it's components; (3) Fair and
equitable sharing of benefits. Followed by Cartagena
(2000) and Nagoya (2010) protocols.
 UNCCD : (Secretariat in Bonn, Germany)
It is the only internationally legally binding
framework to address desertification. CoP-14 was
held in 2019 in New Delhi.
 Agenda 21 : take actions at all three levels to

Environment
achieve certain goals by 2021. Later revised to 2030.

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1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
 CITES (Convention on  UN appoints World Commission on  Minamata convention on mercury
International Trade in Environment and Development  To protect humans and environment
Endangered species of Wild flora  Later known as Brundtland against mercury emissions.
and fauna)  Japanese city, Minamata, had faced
 aka Washington Convention Commission
severe mercury poisoning.
 To control or prevent  In 1987 it released the report 'Our
-------------------------------------------------------------
international commercial trade in Common Future'.  CoP-19 Warsaw (Poland)
Endangered species or products  Concept of 'Sustainable Development'  Warsaw International Mechanism for
derived from them. crystalized. Loss and Damage.
 Aim not to directly protect, but to  Rich countries liable for climate change

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reduce economic incentive to impact being faced by poor countries.
poaching by closing international
trade.
1974 1984 1994 2004 2014
1975 1985 1995 2005 2015
 Vienna Convention for protection of  First CoP of UNFCCC held in Berlin, Germany  CoP-21 Paris (France)
ozone layer.  Paris Agreement
 Provided frameworks for reductions  Countries’ INDCs are not binding.
in chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 
 Became basis for further international Loss & Damage included, but diluted.
action to protect ozone layer.

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 1976 1986 1996 2006 2016
 Kigali amendment to Montreal protocol.

Prelims 2021
Kigali is in Rwanda
 After 1987, HFCs replaced CFCs. But
HFCs are powerful GHG.
 India has to phase out HFC by 85% by
2047 over the 2024-2026 level
-------------------------------------------------------------
 CoP-22/CMA-1 Marrakech (Morocco)

1977 1987 2007

 Brundtland report / Our Common Future 1997 2017
 Kyoto protocol signed under UNFCCC  CoP-23 Bonn (Germany), but chaired by
--------------------------------------------------------------
 Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting  World’s only legally binding treaty to reduce Fiji

Current Affairs
Substances GHG emissions  Talanoa dialogue: Pacific concept of
 1st universally ratified treaty in UN history.  1st commitment period: 2008-12 “Talanoa” - storytelling that leads to
 Phase out halogenated hydrocarbons that  2nd commitment period: 2013-20 consensus building. In CoP it was used
contain chlorine or bromine (substances for NDC stock-taking.
containing only fluorine don't harm ozone).  Gender Action plan adopted which
 All nations should not be treated equally as
strives for gender-responsive climate
some have contributed more to ozone
depletion. policy equal representation for women
 A nation's obligation to reduce emissions at global climate meet
should reflect its technological and financial
ability to do so.
1978 1988 2008 2018
1998

Environment
 CoP-24 Katowice (Poland)
 Rotterdam convention
 Paris Ag. Work Programme was finalized.

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 To control international trade of certain
 Practical implementation guidelines to
hazardous chemicals
 Created ‘Prior Informed Consent’ procedure. track progress and ensure that climate
action is transparent.
1979 1999 2009 2019
1989  CoP-25/CMA-2 Madrid (Spain) under
 CMS - Convention of Migratory  Basel Convention on the Control of
Species Presidency of Chile.
Transboundary Movements of Hazardous  Adopted the “Chile Madrid Time for
 Cop-13 in Gandhinagar in
Wastes Action” document.
February 2020.  To reduce the movements of hazardous
---------------------------------------------------  Urged to enhance NDCs.
 Convention on Long-Range waste between nations (especially  Established Santiago Network for tech

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Transboundary Air Pollution. developed to least developed) assistance to poor countries under WIM
 Focused on Europe.  Doesn't address movement of for Loss & Damage.
 India not member. radioactive waste.  Did not finalize rules on Carbon Markets.

1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

 Cartagena protocol on biosafety to CBD  Nagoya protocol
 For safe handling, transport and use of Living  fair and equitable sharing
Modified Organism of benefits arising out of
 Established Advance Informed Agreement the utilization of genetic
procedure resources
 Established Biosafety Clearing House

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 All-Inclusive Current Affairs for Prelims 2021
Environment Class-2

Stubble burning

Why stubble burning increased?  Laws  Mechanization

Happy Seeder cuts and lifts paddy straw, sows Pusa decomposer capsules made by IARI.
wheat into the bare soil and deposits the straw Dissolved in water, and sprayed on fields.
over the sown area as mulch. Decomposes stubble.

Crop residue can be used for?

Biomass co-firing; Biomass power plants
Biogas; Bio-CNG; Bio-fuel / Ethanol
Biochar / fertilizer; Mulching; etc…

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 Biochar / Green Charcoal

Prelims 2020:
What is the use of biochar in farming?
1. Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium
in vertical farming.
2. When biochar is a part of growing medium, it
promotes growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.
3. When biochar is a part of growing medium, it enables
❑ Made by heating stubble in absence of growing medium to retain water for longer time.
oxygen; Used as fertilizer Which of the above statements are correct?
❑ Improve land’s water-holding capacity (a) 1, 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1, 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Dry Biomass → Pyrolysis → Biochar Wet biomass → Hydrothermal Carbonization → Hydrochar

Biomass co-firing ❑ Adding biomass as

fuel in coal fired
thermal power
plants.
❑ 5-10% of coal can
be replaced by
biomass.

Smog

Photochemical smog Sulfurous smog

Los Angeles smog London smog
Oxidising smog Reducing smog
Reason: Reason:
Primary pollutants
Primary pollutants
react in sunlight to form
Secondary pollutants

Prelims 2013:
Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among
(a) NO2, O3 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in presence of sunlight
(b) CO, O2 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in presence of sunlight
(c) CO, CO2 and NO2 at low temperature
(d) high concentration of NO2, O3 and CO in the evening

SWAS, STAR, SAFAL ?

Green Crackers Safe Water Releaser (SWAS)
Safe Thermite Cracker (STAR)
❑ by CSIR-NEERI Safe Minimal Aluminium (SAFAL)
❑ have Logo and QR code
❑ Cost almost same as traditional crackers
❑ Less polluting: no/low PM2.5, lithium, arsenic, lead, barium
❑ Sivakasi in TN is famous for firecrackers (90%)
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National Environmental Petroleum & Explosives Indian Agricultural
Engineering Research Institute: Safety Organisation: Research Institute
❑ Under CSIR (MoS&T) ❑ Ministry of C&I (DPIIT) ❑ Under ICAR, MoA&FW
❑ Nagpur, 1958 ❑ HQ: Nagpur ❑ 1905: est. in Pusa, Bihar
❑ PM is ex-officio President of CSIR ❑ Regulates crackers, ❑ 1936: shifted to Delhi
explosives, etc.

AUM Photonic System: ❑ Air Unique-quality Monitoring ❑ Uses laser to monitor air quality
❑ Developed indigenously ❑ Can simultaneously quantify
various pollutants in real time

Prelims 2016:
In cities of our country, which among
following atmospheric gases are normally
considered in calculating value of Air Quality
Index?
1. Carbon dioxide 2. Carbon monoxide
3. Nitrogen dioxide 4. Sulfur dioxide
5. Methane
Select the correct answer:
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
7th Sept. 2020; by UN; to raise awareness, etc. (c) 1, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Environmental Pollution ❑ Set up in 1998; under EPA 1986

EPCA / CAQM (Prevention & Control) ❑ Set up by MoEFCC; on SC order
Authority: ❑ For air pollution in NCR

CAQM in NCR & AR Ordinance 2021:

Sets up “Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & adjoining areas”
❑ Replaced EPCA
❑ NCR and areas adjoining NCR in Haryana, UP, Punjab, Rajasthan
❑ Chair is ex-bureaucrat; around 21 members (from ministries, states, industry, farmers, etc)
❑ Not following Commission's order is punishable with ₹ 1 crore fine; 5 year jail (non-farmers)
❑ Its orders will prevail over orders of others (CPCB, State govt, etc.)
❑ Cases involving commission will go to NGT, not civil courts

Thermal Power Plants Air: PM, SOx, NOx, CO, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, etc.

Prelims 2011: Prelims 2003:

Consider the following: Assertion:
1. Carbon dioxide Coal based power stations contribute to acid rain.
2. Oxides of Nitrogen Reason:
3. Oxides of Sulphur Oxides of carbon are emitted when coal burns
Which of the above are emissions from (a) Both are true; R is correct explanation of A
coal combustion at thermal power plants? (b) Both are true; R is not correct explanation of A
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) A is true but R is false
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (d) A is false but R is true
Water: Prelims 2013:
❑ Water consumption norms framed in 2015 Which one among the following industries is
❑ Water is used for cooling and ash disposal the maximum consumer of water in India?
❑ Coal power plants consume 70% of all (a) Engineering (b) Paper and pulp
freshwater withdrawn by industries (c) Textiles (d) Thermal power
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 It is a by-product of coal burning.
It has pollutants like arsenic, lead, oxides of silica, aluminium, calcium.
Fly Ash Indian coal has high ash content (30-45%).
Only coal with less than 34% ash can be used by power plants? No

Within 300 km of powerplants: Fly ash utilization in India:

❑ Sell fly ash at Rs 1 per tonne Target: 100%
❑ Full transport cost borne by powerplant Actual: 78%
❑ Convert Clay-brick kilns to fly-ash brick plants
First state to have a fly-ash
Ash Track mobile app: utilization policy?
❑ links fly ash consumers & power plants Maharashtra (2016)

Prelims 2013: Prelims 2020:

Which of the following are Consider the following statements:
characteristics of Indian coal? 1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury.
1. High ash content 2. Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide
2. Low sulphur content and oxides of nitrogen into the environment.
3. Low ash fusion temperature 3. High ash content is observed in Indian coal.
Select the correct answer Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
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 Clean Coal Technologies
Electrostatic precipitator
❑ First electrode gives charge to particles
❑ Second electrode arrests those particles

Coal washing
✓ More efficiency
✓ Less Ash / pollutants
X Reduces cost
Coal washing is not mandatory

Mostly uses lime

Selective Catalytic Reduction

❑ Uses catalyst
Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction
❑ Does not use catalyst

Both use Ammonia to

reduce NOx emissions

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 ❑ lighter than air; colourless; pungent smell
Ammonia ❑ Alkaline/basic (not acidic)
❑ Secreted by kidneys to neutralize excess acid
❑ Soluble in water; found in soil/air/water;
❑ BIS limit in drinking water: 0.5 mg/l
Issues:
❑ Creates health problems (even death)
❑ Eutrophication; Dead zones
Uses: (many)
❑ To make Ammonium Nitrate (fertilizer)
❑ To make Formaldehyde
Indo-Gangetic Plain is global hot-spot of atmospheric
ammonia due to intense agricultural activities
Prelims 2019:
Consider the following statements:
1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into
environment.
2. Cattle release ammonia into environment.
3. Poultry industry release reactive nitrogen
compounds into environment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 3 only (b) 2, 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2, 3
Haber–Bosch process:
to produce NH3 from Green Ammonia: NH3 made by renewable sources
nitrogen of air e.g. make Hydrogen from renewable sources of energy

Indoor Air Pollution

Generally more than outdoor air pollution
Sources: cooking; paint; bacteria; mud floor; radon, etc

RAISE:
❑ Retrofit of AC to improve Indoor Air Quality for Safety
and Efficiency
❑ By Ministry of Power (EESL & USAID)

Radon Gas:
❑ Colorless / Odourless / Noble / Radioactive
❑ From decay of Uranium/Thorium/Radium
❑ Enters buildings through ground cracks, water, etc.
❑ Denser than air; accumulates in basements.
❑ Causes cancer
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 Water
India’s annual per capita water availability:
❑ 2001 : 1,820
❑ 2011 : 1,545 (water stressed)
❑ 2025 : 1,341 (expected)

❑ India extracts 253 bcm of

groundwater every year
(25% of global)
❑ 80% of rural & 50% of
urban water needs are
met by groundwater
❑ 90% of groundwater is
used for irrigation

Central Ground Water Authority:

CGWA guidelines 2020 for groundwater extraction:
❑ Statutory body; EPA 1986
❑ No Objection Certificate: ❑ Under Ministry of Jal Shakti
▪ Mandatory for bulk water withdrawal
▪ In over-exploited areas, only MSMEs will get NOC Atal Bhujal Yojana:
❑ Jal Shakti Ministry
▪ Penalty of up to ₹ 10 lakh
❑ Central sector scheme
❑ Exemptions: ❑ for groundwater management
▪ Agriculture; MSME up to 10 cubic m/day; ❑ for seven states
Individuals; Rural drinking water supply schemes; ❑ 50% funds from World Bank
Armed forces ❑ duration 2020-2025
❑ Charges
▪ based on amount of extraction.

Zero Liquid Discharge

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Prelims 2019:
As per Solid Waste Management Rules,
2016, which of the following
statements is correct? Municipal Solid Waste
(a) Waste generator has to segregate
waste into five categories.
(b) The Rules are applicable to notified
urban local bodies, notified towns
and all industrial township only.
(c) The Rules provide for exact and
elaborate criteria for the
identification of sites for landfills
and waste processing facilities.
(d) It is mandatory on the part of
waste generator that the waste
generated in one district cannot be
moved to another district.

Biomedical waste E-waste

Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016: Global e-waste Monitor report:
▪ On-site pre-treatment, segregation, safe ❑ UNEP & International Telecommunication Union
storage ITU is specialized agency of UN, 1865, Geneva
▪ Segregate into 4 categories: human, ❑ Top e-waste generators: USA > China > India
animal, soiled, biotech
E-waste Mannagement Rules 2016:
▪ Transport to common biomedical waste
treatment facility ❑ applies to all stakeholders
▪ Regular training and immunization of ❑ PRO / EPR authorization by CPCB
healthcare workers. ❑ Covers more than 20 products, even CFLs
❑ Introduced interest-bearing Deposit Refund Scheme
❑ Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) testing
POPs / Forever chemicals cost borne by Producer if test fails (else govt)
❑ Organic pollutants resistant to India’s first e-waste clinic in? Bhopal, MP
environmental degradation
❑ They bio-accumulate in living organisms
❑ They cover long distance in environment Cabinet ratified 7 PoPs:
❑ Restricted by Stockholm Convention 2001 ❑ Already in Convention; MEA/MoEFCC in future
Ratified by India in 2006 1) Chlordecone
2) Hexabromobiphenyl
The original dirty dozen: 3) Hexabromodiphenyl ether and
DDT; Dioxins; Furans; PCBs; Heptachlor; Heptabromodiphenylether (octa-BDE)
Hexachlorobenzene; Aldrin; Chlordane; 4) Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and
Dieldrin; Endrin; Mirex; Toxaphene Pentabromodiphenyl ether (penta-BDE)
(Some are Organochlorine pesticides) 5) Pentachlorobenzene
6) Hexabromocyclododecane
Now 35: Dicofol; PFAO (added in 2018)
7) Hexachlorobutadiene
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 Plastic
Single-use plastic:
❑ Plastic intended to be used only once
❑ Can be recyclable or non-recyclable
❑ Maharashtra was the first state to ban single-use plastic.

Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016

(amended in 2018):
▪ Minimum 50 micron thickness for plastic carry bags
▪ EPR applicable
▪ Phase out multi-layer plastic
▪ In villages, responsibility of Gram Sabhas

Bio-plastics
▪ Plastic made from biomass like
vegetable oil, corn starch, wood chips,
food waste, etc. [Conventional plastic
is made from petroleum]
▪ Some bioplastics are biodegradable,
some are not biodegradable.
▪ Drop-in bioplastic: Non-biodegradable
bio-palstic
▪ Producing Bioplastics is energy
intensive and expensive.

Extended Producers Responsibility Benefits of EPR:

Producer is responsible for disposal of post-consumer product ▪ Can lower cost of products
(components come back to
manufacturer)
▪ Help in efficient recovery of
metals (rare-earths!)
▪ May reduce use of toxic
components
▪ Can lower ecological impact
(works on circular economy)
Plastic credit model, Producer Responsibility Organizations, Circular economy aims at
Fee-based mechanism are related to? continual use of resources &
Draft EPR framework under PWMR 2016 eliminating waste
Prelims 2019:
In India, ‘Extended Producer Responsibility' was introduced
as an important feature in which of the following?
(a) Bio-medical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998
(b) Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing & Usage) Rules, 1999
(c) E-Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011
(d) Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011

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 Marine Plastic Pollution
Marine Plastic Pollution: 1972 London Convention, 1996 Protocol to London
❑ It is 80% of all marine debris. Convention, and MARPOL are related to Marine Pollution
❑ Microplastic: smaller than 5mm
❑ Nanoplastic: smaller than 100nm MARPOL: International Convention for Prevention of
❑ Source: disintegration of plastic, Pollution from Ships
intentional addition to cosmetics, ✓ Adopted at IMO in 1973 (in force 1983)
toothpaste, clothing, etc. ✓ Ratified by all major countries like US, Russia, India,
❑ In 2018, India said we are banning China, EU, etc.
microplastics, but the ban will be Un-plastic Collective (UPC):
implemented after two years. Till ✓ Initiative of CII, UNEP, WWF-India.
now it has not been implemented. ✓ Aim is to eliminate unnecessary use of plastic and
reuse plastic though circular economy.
“Breaking the Plastic Wave” report: Close the Plastic Tap programme:
❑ By Pew Trust and System IQ ✓ By IUCN to tackle plastic pollution at its source
❑ Just remember it’s not UNEP, etc. ✓ India is not its part.

Global Partnership on Marine Litter:

✓ It was launched in 2012 at Rio+20
✓ UNEP provides secretariat services

Great Pacific Garbage Patch:

✓ aka Pacific Trash vortex
✓ collection of marine debris
✓ almost entirely of microplastics.
✓ It is not visible from space.
Prelims 2019:
Why is there a great concern about microbeads that are released into environment?
(a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystem
(b) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children
(c) They are small enough to absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields
(d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants

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 All-Inclusive Current Affairs for Prelims 2021
Environment Class-3

Eco-Sensitive Zones
National Park/ ➢ Acts 'shock absorbers' to Protected Areas.
Wildlife Sanctuary ➢ Only up to 10 km around PA? No
➢ ‘Corridors’ to prevent biodiversity fragmentation
State govt. ➢ Notified by MoEFCC under EPA, 1986
➢ EPA 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-
Sensitive Zones”.
NP/WS notified by → State → WPA 1972 ➢ "Wildlife Conservation Strategy 2002" envisaged
ESZ notified by → Centre → EPA 1986 10 km EFZ around protected areas. (F = Fragile)
Prelims 2014: ❑ Prohibited: Commercial mining
With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of ❑ Regulated: hotels and resorts
the following statements is/are correct? ❑ Permitted: Ongoing agricultural practices
1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are Prelims 2016:
declared under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. ‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and
2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’,
Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human sometimes seen in news, are related to
activities in those zones except agriculture. (a) constitutional reforms
Select the correct answer using code given below. (b) Ganga Action Plan 2010 64% Gadgil
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) linking of rivers 2012 37% Kasturi
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) protection of Western Ghats

Protected Areas National Park Wildlife Sanctuary

WPA 1972 To protect To protect wildlife or
India has a network of Purpose ecologically its environment
important area
982 Protected Areas including
Human Not permitted Restricted activities
106 National Parks, activity allowed
566 Wildlife Sanctuaries, Notified by State govt State govt
97 Conservation Reserves, Boundary NBWL NBWL
214 Community Reserves change recommendation recommendation
covering a total of 1,71,921 km2 Oldest 1936 1936 Vedanthangal
of geographical area of the country Hailey/Corbett Lake Bird Sanct. (TN)
which is approximately 5.03% Maximum in MP (11) A&N Islands (96)

Conservation Community
Marine Protected Areas: Reserve Reserve
❑ Not specifically mentioned in WPA Buffer zone / Buffer zone /
Purpose
❑ Est. as NP or WS or Cons. Reserve migration corridor migration corridor
❑ 129 = 25 South; 100 A&N; 4 Laksh. Land ownership Only government Private also
Can be used for Can be used for
Human activity subsistence by subsistence by
Critical Wildlife Habitat: communities communities
❑ Within NP and WS Notified by State govt State govt
2005 (WPA 2007 (WPA
❑ No human settlement & usage Since amended in 2002) amended in 2002)
❑ Notified by MoEFCC under FRA 2006 Maximum in J&K (32) Nagaland (114)

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 Community Forest Rights
FRA 2006: recognizes the rights Prelims 2018:
MoTA: issues guidelines Consider the following statements:
Gram Sabha: initiates process 1. The definition of "Critical Wildlife
Individual rights e.g. Self-cultivation, Habitation Habitat" is incorporated in the Forest
Community rights e.g. Grazing, Fishing, Habitat rights Rights Act, 2006.
Note: hunting, trapping of animals not allowed 2. For the first time in India, Baigas have
been given Habitat Rights. MoTA
Prelims 2013: 3. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest
Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional and Climate Change officially decides
Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, and declares Habitat Rights for
2006 who shall be the authority to initiate the Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal
process for determining the nature and extent of Groups in any part of India
individual or community forest rights or both? Which of the statements given above
(a) State Forest Department is/are correct?
(b) District Collector/ Deputy Commissioner (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Tahsildar/ BDO/ Mandal Revenue Officer (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) Gram Sabha

3 main zones of BR:

Biosphere Reserve
Core: protected area; no external human pressure Prelims 2004:
Buffer: tourism, fishing, grazing, etc List-1 List-II
Transition: zone of cooperation; usually not delimited
A. Simlipal 1. Sikkim
B. Dihang Dibang 2. Uttaranchal
C. Nokrek 3. Arunachal P.
D. Kanchenjunga 4. Odisha
5. Meghalaya

Man and Biosphere

Programme:
❑ 1971; UNESCO
❑ 714 Biosphere Res.
Largest Newest (2011) Smallest ❑ 129 countries
❑ 12 from India
Ken

Prelims 2005:
Which one of the following is not a BR?
(a) Agasthyamali (b) Nallamalai
(c) Nilgiri (d) Panchmarhi
Prelims 2008:
Out of all the BRs in India, four have been recognized
Oldest (1986) on the World Network by UNESCO. Which one of the
following is not one of them?
(a) Gulf of Mannar (b) Kanchenjunga
(c) Nanda Devi (d) Sunderbans

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Prelims 2010: Prelims 2011:
Consider the following statements: Which one of the following is
1. The boundaries of a National Park are defined by legislation. not a site for in-situ method
2. A Biosphere Reserve is declared to conserve a few specific of conservation of flora?
species of flora and fauna. (a) Biosphere Reserve
3. In Wildlife Sanctuary, limited biotic interference is permitted (b) Botanical Garden
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (c) National Park
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (d) Wildlife Sanctuary

Prelims 2012: Prelims 2014:

In which one among the following categories of The most important strategy for the
protected areas in India are local people not conservation of biodiversity together with
allowed to collect and use the biomass? traditional human life is the establishment of
(a) Biosphere Reserves (b) National Parks
(a) Biosphere reserves (b) Botanical gardens
(c) Wetlands declared under Ramsar Convention
(d) Wildlife Sanctuaries (c) National Parks (d) Wildlife Sanctuaries

No Ramsar sites in: No. Ramsar site State

Haryana
Jharkhand
Wetlands 16 Kolleru Lake Andhra P.
Chhattisgarh 8 Deepor Beel Assam
Telangana 12 Kabartal Wetland Bihar
Convention on Wetlands:
Karnataka 19 Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary Gujarat
Goa ❑ aka Ramsar Convention 6 Chandertal Wetland HP
Sikkim ❑ 1971; Ramsar, Iran 25 Pong Dam Lake HP
Arunachal ❑ only global environmental treaty 26 Renuka Wetland HP
Meghalaya 11 Hokera Wetland J&K
Nagaland for a particular ecosystem
Mizoram ❑ Wise use? Sustainable use 36 Surinsar-Mansar Lakes J&K
39 Tsomoriri Lake J&K
42 Wular Lake J&K
2 Asthamudi Wetland Kerala
34 Sasthamkotta Lake Kerala
41 Vembanad Kol Wetland Kerala
38 Tso Kar Wetland Complex Ladakh
18 Lonar Lake Maharashtra
20 Nandur Madhameshwar Maharashtra
17 Loktak Lake Manipur
5 Bhoj Wetlands MP
Asia's largest 4 Bhitarkanika Mangroves Odisha
brackish water 7 Chilka Lake Odisha
lagoon 3 Beas Conservation Reserve Punjab
Oldest (1981) 10 Harike Lake Punjab
- Chilika lake, Odisha 13 Kanjli Lake Punjab
- Keoladeo NP, Rajasthan 15 Keshopur-Miani Punjab
Smallest Renuka, HP 21 Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary Punjab
27 Ropar Lake Punjab
Largest Sunderban 14 Keoladeo Ghana NP Rajasthan
31 Sambhar Lake Rajasthan
24 Point Calimere Tamil Nadu
28 Rudrasagar Lake Tripura
22 Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary UP
23 Parvati Agra Bird Sanctuary UP
29 Saman Bird Sanctuary UP
Montreux record: (serious threat) 30 Samaspur Bird Sanctuary UP
32 Sandi Bird Sanctuary UP
1990 Keoladeo NP, Rajasthan 33 Sarsai Nawar Jheel UP
1993 Loktak Lake, Manipur 37 Sur Sarovar UP
40 Upper Ganga River UP
1993-2002 Chilika Lake 1 Asan Conservation Reserve Uttarakhand
9 East Kolkata Wetlands WB
Prelims 2018: 35 Sunderbans Wetland WB
Which one of the following is an artificial lake? Sukhna Lake:
(a) Kodaikanal (TN) (b) Kolleru (Andhra P.) ❑ Chandigarh; Manmade lake (1958);
(c) Nainital (Uttarakhand) (d) Renuka (HP) ❑ Notified Wetland? Yes Ramsar site? No
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 Prelims 2010: Prelims 2019:
India is a party to the Ramsar Convention and has Consider the following statements:
declared many areas as Ramsar sites. Which of the 1. Under Ramsar convention, it is mandatory
following statements best describes as to how we on the part of the Government on India to
should maintain these sites in the context of this protect and conserve all the wetlands in the
convention? territory of India
(a) Keep all the sites completely inaccessible to man 2. The Wetlands (Conservation and
so that they will not be exploited. Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by
(b) Conserve all sites through ecosystem approach the Government of India based on the
and permit tourism and recreation only. recommendations of Ramsar convention.
(c) Conserve all sites through ecosystem approach 3. The Wetlands (Conservation and
for a period without any exploitation, with Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass
specific criteria and specific period for each site, the drainage area or catchment regions of
and then allow sustainable use of them by future the wetlands as determined by the
generations. authority.
(d) Conserve all the sites through ecosystem Which of the above statements is/are correct?
approach and allow their simultaneous (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
sustainable use. (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Peatlands ❖ 2016 Global Peatlands Initiative; at CoP-22 Marrakech

❖ covers 3% of global land surface ❖ 2018 Brazzaville Declaration on Peatlands; by Congo and
❖ largest natural terrestrial carbon store Indonesia; To prevent degradation of Congo’s peatlands
❖ drained peatlands release huge (world’s largest tropical peatlands).
amounts of GHGs ❖ 2019 Global resolution on peatlands at 4th UNEP Assembly

Lonar Lake Loktak lake Manipur

World’s largest crater in basaltic rock. ❑ Largest freshwater lake in NE India.
Formed by meteorite impact 50,000 years ago ❑ Phumdis (small islands) float on it.
Recently turned pink due to Haloarchaea ❑ Has Keibul Lamjao NP (the only floating NP
It is a National Geological Heritage Monument Site in the world)
(declared by Geological Survey of India, total 34)

Minerals, water, shelter Lichens Prelims 2014:

Fungi Algae Lichens, which are capable
Food from photosynthesis of initiating ecological
succession even on a bare
✓ Lichens are not plants. rock, are actually a
✓ Can grow on rocks and plants (epiphytes) symbiotic association of
✓ Slow growing, can live for centuries. (a) algae and bacteria
✓ They are bioindicators of air quality. (b) algae and fungi
✓ Don’t grow in cities due to SO2 pollution (c) bacteria and fungi
✓ India’s first lichen park: Uttarakhand (d) fungi and mosses
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 Mangroves SUNDARBANS:
❖ 40% in India, 60% in Bangladesh
❖ largest mangrove forest in world
❖ At confluence of Ganga,
Brahmaputra, Meghna
❖ World Heritage site 1987
❖ Ramsar site 2019
❖ Name from Sundari tree

MANGROVES:
✓ Halophyte (salt-tolerant)
✓ grows in coastal saline or brackish water (intertidal zones)
✓ found in all coastal states of India
✓ 42% in WB; 23% Gujarat; 12% A&N
✓ 0.15% of India; increased between 2017-19 (FSI)

Prelims 2015: Prelims 2011:

Which one of the following regions of India The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that
has a combination of mangrove forest, mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge
evergreen forest and deciduous forest? against coastal calamities. How do mangroves
(a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh function as a safety hedge?
(b) South-West Bengal (a) The mangrove swamps separate the human
(c) Southern Saurashtra settlements from the sea by a wide zone in
(d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands which people neither live nor venture out
(b) The mangroves provide both food and
Prelims 1996: medicines which people are in need of after
Assertion (A): Mangroves are very specialised any natural disaster
forest eco-systems of tropical and sub- (c) The mangrove trees are tall with dense
tropical regions bordering certain sea coasts. canopies and serve as an excellent shelter
Reason (R): They stabilise shoreline and act as during a cyclone or tsunami
bulwark against encroachments by the sea. (d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by
(b) Both A and R are true and R is not correct storms and tides because of their extensive
explanation of A roots.

Adaptations in mangroves: Leaves:

Pneumatophores: ❖ Thick and leathery to
❖ Breathing roots, to take in oxygen conserve water
❖ Glands to secret salt

Viviparity

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 First state to declare a Prelims 2016:
state Mangrove tree? Recently, for the first time in our country,
Maharashtra which of the following States has declared a
White Chippi / particular butterfly as ‘State Butterfly’?
Sonneratia alba / (a) Arunachal Pradesh (b) Himachal Pradesh
Mangrove apple (c) Karnataka (d) Maharashtra

Blue Flag Mass Extinction

Prelims 2018:
The term “6th mass extinction/6th extinction" is
often mentioned in the news in the context of
(a) Widespread monoculture practices in
agriculture & large-scale commercial farming
with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many
parts of world that may result in loss of good
native ecosystems.
(b) Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with
the Earth in the near future in the manner it
happened 65 million years ago that caused the
mass extinction of many species including
those of dinosaurs
(c) Large scale cultivation of genetically modified
Blue Flag Programme:
crops in many parts of the world and
❑ Launched in 1985 in France;
promoting their cultivation in other parts of
❑ By FEE (NGO, 1981, Denmark) the world which may cause the disappearance
❑ Most blue flag beaches are in Spain. of good native crop plants and the loss of food
❑ Criteria: safety, facilities, cleanliness, etc. biodiversity.
FEE: Foundation for Environmental Education (d) Mankind's over-exploitation/misuse of natural
BEAMS: resources, fragmentation/loss of natural
❑ Beach Env. & Aesthetics Mgmt Services habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution
❑ By MoEFCC; for clean beaches and global climate change.

IUCN Prelims 2015:

❑ 1948; HQ: Gland, Switzerland With reference to IUCN and Convention on
❑ It has observer status at UN International Trade in Endangered Species of
❑ It is not a specialized agency of UN. Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following
statements is/are correct?
Prelims 2011: 1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES
The “Red Data Book’’ published by IUCN is an international agreement between
contains list of? governments.
1. Endemic plant and animal species 2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the
present in biodiversity hotspots. world to better manage natural environments.
2. Threatened plant and animal species. 3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have
3. Protected sites for conservation of joined it, but this Convention does not take the
nature and natural resources in place of national laws.
various countries. Select the correct answer
Select the correct answer (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(a) 1,3 (b) 2 only (c) 2, 3 (d) 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

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 Dodo; Tasmanian Tiger; Golden Toad;
1681; Tasmanian Wolf; 1989;
Extinct Mauritius;
Flightless
1936;
Australia
Costa Rica

Extinct in wild Golden Skiffia Wyoming Toad

Asiatic Cheetah (Iran) Great Jerdon’s courser

Gharial Blue Indian
Throat Sri Lankamalleswar
Bustard WS (A.P.)
Macaw
(South
America)

Critically Endangered
Hump-backed Mahseer
Tor remadevii; tiger of water Elongated Tortoise
Found only in Kaveri basin (Sal Forest Tortoise)
Has orange fins Himalayan Quail;
Western Himalayas
Pangolin (scaly ant-eater)
Tiger Red Panda
Sikkim st. an.
Ganges Dolphin

Greater
Adjutant
Endangered
Elephant
Jh. / Krl / Krnt st.an.
Lion
Gujarat st. an. Nilgiri
Tahr Dhole Lion-tailed macaque
TN st. an. wild dog Western ghats

Fishing cat
WB st. an. Polar
Bear Black Bear
African Cheetah
Indian Star Tortoise
Snow Leopard
Vulnerable HP st. an.
Indian Rhino
Assam st. an. Gaur
70% in Kaziranga (Indian Bison)
Largest bovine
Bihar, Goa st. an.

Dugong / Sea Cow

A&N st. an. Narcondam
Only veg marine mammal Hornbill

Near Threatened
Hilsa (Food fish)
Least Concern Bangladesh 70%
Amur Falcon Critically Endangered in India
Nilgai
Delhi st. an. Caracal Brown Bear
Willow
Warbler
Jacobian
/Pied
Cuckoo

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 Tiger By NTCA and WII
Tiger Every 4 years since 2006
M-STrIPES → mobile app
Census
1411 → 1706 → 2226 → 2967
CaTRAT → AI software
Methods to estimate tiger numbers:
Census Madhya Pradesh most tigers
most increase stripes
pattern
2018
TR with most tigers: Corbett
TR with highest density: Corbett scat samples
TR without tiger: Buxa, WB pug marks
Dampa, Mizoram
Palamu, Jharkhand
Tiger reserves:
❑ 51 Megamalai TraMCA:
❑ 52 Ramgarh Vishdhari Transboundary Manas
❑ 2/3rd tigers Conservation Area
❑ No TR in: - Manas NP of Assam
J&K; HP; - Royal Manas NP of Bhutan Kazi-106F
Punjab; Haryana; Golden / Tabby / Strawberry tiger
Gujarat; Goa; Genetic defect; interbreeding
Sikkim; Meghalaya;
Tripura; Nagaland;
Manipur

NTCA:
WPA 1972 amended in 2006 to
convert "Project Tiger“ (1973)
into a statutory authority
❖ GTI Global Tiger Initiative
❖ GTRP Global Tiger Recovery Program
❖ TX2 Tiger times two (3200→7000 by 2022)
❖ CATS Conservation Assured Tiger Standards
❖ GTF Global Tiger Forum at Delhi (est. 1993)
❖ GSLEP Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem
Protection Program at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Secure 20 by 2020: secure at least 20 snow
leopard landscapes by 2020

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 Prelims 2012: Prelims 2017:
Consider the following protected areas: Recently there was a proposal to translocate
1. Bandipur 2. Bhitarkanika some of the lions from their natural habitat in
3. Manas 4. Sunderbans Gujarat to which one of the following sites?
Which of the above are declared Tiger (a) Corbett National Park
Reserves? (b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (d) Sariska National Park

Leopard Snow Leopard

13,000
The only big cat
Most in MP that does not roar
1st state to launch
project leopard?
Rajasthan in 2017 SECURE Himalayas:
- 2017 - 2023; UNDP / MoEFCC. Funded by GEF
- Focus on livelihoods, ecosystem, snow leopard
- First conservation centre? Will be in Uttarakhand

Asiatic Lion Cheetah

674
Only in Gir NP? No
Only in Gujarat? Yes
Smaller than African

Fastest land animal Reintroduction:

1947: last killed in Chhattisgarh NTCA has permitted
1952: declared extinct in India South Africa → Kuno NP

Vultures Nature’s Clean-Up Crew

Great Indian Bustard
Vulture Action Plan:
by MoEFCC 2020-25

CR – Red, White, Billed, Indian

EN – Egyptian
VU – Andean
NT – Himalayan
LC – Eurasian
❑ Once frontrunner to be National bird
❑ Only 150 remains; Only in India? No
Prelims 2012:
❑ Rajasthan: State Bird; Project Godawan Vultures which used to be very common in Indian
❑ Mascot of CMS CoP13 countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays.
❑ Reasons for decline: This is attributed to
→ Agri pesticides (feeds on food grains) (a) destruction of their nesting sites by invasive species
→ No grasslands (attacked by dogs) (b) drug used by cattle owners for treating diseased cattle
→ Power lines (poor vision) (c) scarcity of food available to them Diclofenac
❑ Heavy, but flies (d) a widespread, persistent, fatal disease among them
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 Dolphin
South Asian River Dolphin
Practically blind; uses echolocation

Bhulan
Indus Dolphin; Indus and Beas
National mammal of Pakistan

Susu
Ganges Dolphin; Ganga, Brahmaputra
National aquatic animal of India

Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary:

Prelims 2014: ❑ Since 1991; in Bihar
Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for ❑ 1st Dolphin observatory
the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?
1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers Prelims 2015:
2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers Which one of the following is the
3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally national aquatic animal of India?
4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural (a) Saltwater crocodile
chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers (b) Olive ridley turtle
Select the correct answer using the code given below (c) Gangetic dolphin declared in 2010
(a) 1,2 only (b) 2,3 only (c) 1,3,4 only (d) 1,2,3,4 (d) Gharial

Turtles Locusts

❑ 90 days lifespan
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles: Vulnerable ❑ Short horned grasshoppers
❑ 2nd smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles. ❑ Travel in day; rest in night
Kemp's Ridley turtle is the smallest sea turtle ❑ Feeds on variety of crops
❑ Gahirmatha marine sanctuary in Odisha is world’s ❑ Lay eggs in damp soil in bare ground
largest nesting beach for Olive Ridley turtle. ❑ Biphasic: two different forms
❑ Pesticides are used to control locusts.
Operation Save Kurma?
❑ Locust Warning Organisation:
❑ Against trafficking in turtles → Est. in 1939; MoA&FW
❑ By WCCB (2006; WPA 1972; MoEFCC) → Responsible to control locusts.

Crocodiles
Crocodiles in India:
Saltwater crocodile - eastern coast
Mugger crocodile - in lakes & rivers
Gharial - river areas
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 Regulating trade of Exotic species:
❑ Exotic: of a distant foreign country [another name for invasive alien species]
❑ Exotic live species: animal or plant moved from original range to new, mostly by people.
❑ All exotic live species shall be declared by owner to Chief Wildlife Warden of the state/UT.
❑ All process to be done through Parivesh portal (MoEFCC portal for environment clearances)
❑ Which ones? Those in CITES but not in WPA 1972.

Miscellaneous
❑ 'Tettilobus trishula’/‘Shivas pygmy trishula’? New species of grasshopper in Eravikulam NP Kerala
❑ Dehing Patkai: Now a NP; Amazon of East; Dehing river, Patkai hill; Oldest refinery of Asia in
Digboi is located near the sanctuary.
❑ Money Laundering and the Illegal Wildlife Trade Report released by FATF
❑ Nandankanan Zoological Park: Bhubaneswar; first zoo with a white tiger safari; first zoo in the
World to breed White tiger and Melanistic tiger; the only conservation breeding centre of Indian
Pangolins in the world.
❑ Management Effectiveness Evaluation: report released by MoEFCC; evaluates how well a NP/WS is
being managed. Highest score by Tirthan WS and Great Himalayan NP of HP. Turtle WLS, UP and
Khaparwas WLS, Haryana ranked at the bottom.
❑ Protected Special Agriculture Zone: created by TN in Cauvery delta region; mainly to protect agri
and prevent oil & gas projects. Spread over 8 districts; rice bowl of TN
❑ Natural Conservation Zone: mainly for NCR region; no construction allowed, except on 0.5% area
for parks; MoEFCC is nodal ministry
❑ Black panther: Melanistic leopard / jaguar / any big cat; Reason: Melanin pigment
❑ Krishna Peacock, Indian Jezebel, Orange Oakleaf are? Butterflies
❑ White grub; Charru mussel; Woolly whitefly are? Invasive species
❑ Noctiluca scintillans: aka sea sparkle; marine species of dinoflagellate; shows Bioluminescence
❑ Bioluminescence: production and emission of light by a living organism.
❑ Pinanga andamanensis: CR; palm variety found only in Mount Harrier NP in A&N is.
❑ Himalayan trillium: EN; aka Nagchatri; medicinal properties; one of the most traded plants
❑ Brahma Kamal: blooms after sunset; sate flower of Uttarakhand
❑ Nagar Van Scheme: develop Urban forests in 200 cities; funds from CAMPA
❑ Green Highway → trees along highways
❑ Green Corridor → no red lights in traffic (medical)
❑ Green Energy Corridor → integrate renewable energy with grid

Brahma Kamal Himalayan trillium

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 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (SPB 2011-2020):
▪ Adopted at CoP-10 of CBD in 2010 at Nagoya Japan.
▪ It has 20 targets under 5 goals, known as Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABTs).
▪ Designated 2020 as “Super year for biodiversity” as ABTs end in 2020.
State of World's Forests report by UNEP and FAO Some reports given in World’s Forest report:
(FAO: 1945, Rome). Facts for Prelims: 1. State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food
✓ 31% : of global land area is under forests and Agriculture:
✓ 93% : natural, 7% manmade ✓ FAO
✓ 34% : are primary forests (no human activity) 2. Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity
✓ 18% : are in protected areas (Aichi target 17%) and Ecosystem Services:
✓ Deforestation rate today is less than 1990s. ✓ IPBES
✓ Agriculture is main reason for deforestation. 3. Global Biodiversity Outlook:
✓ Most gain in Asia, most loss in Africa ✓ CBD

Living Planet Report has Below The Canopy Report has

Living Planet Index Forest Specialist Index
It's about global biodiversity It's about wildlife that lives ‘only’ in forests
Forest wildlife population fell 53% since 1970
Both are released by WWF – international NGO; est. in 1961 ; HQ in Gland, Switzerland

Central Zoo Authority: Bhopal Indian Institute of Forest Management

Dehradun Wildlife Institute of India
✓ Formed in 1992 under WPA, 1972 Chennai CPR Environmental Education Centre
✓ MoEF&CC minister is its chairperson Bengaluru Indian Plywood Industries Research &
✓ It sets criteria & gives recognition to zoos Training Institute
✓ No zoo can be operated without Ahmedabad Centre for Environment Education
Coimbatore Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and
recognition from CZA. Natural History
✓ India has 149 recognized zoos. Jabalpur Tropical Forestry Research Institute

National Board for

Wildlife:
✓ Headed by PM
✓ Statutory body WPA
1972
✓ Change in boundary
of NP/WS needs its
recommendation

Initiatives to restore
degraded lands:
2011 - 2020 2021 - 2030 ❑ 20x20 :
❑ UND on Biodiversity ❑ UND on Ecosystem Restoration Latin America;
❑ UND for Deserts and fight ❑ UND of Ocean Science for 20 mha by 2020
against Desertification Sustainable Development ❑ AFR100 :
Africa;
100 mha by 2030

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 Hotspots

Prelims 2009: Prelims 2010:

Consider the following regions: Consider the following statements:
1. Eastern Himalayas 1. Biodiversity hotspots are located only in tropical
2. Eastern Mediterranean region regions.
3. North-Western Australia 2. India has four biodiversity hotspots i.e., Eastern
Which of the above is/are Himalayas, Western Himalayas, Western Ghats and
Biodiversity Hotspots? Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only Which of the statements given above are correct?
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 & 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Prelims 2011: Biodiversity Hotspots:

Three of the following criteria have contributed to the Concept by Norman Myers. Criteria:
recognition of Western Ghats, Sri Lanka and Indo Burma ❑ contain at least 1,500 species of
regions as hotspots of biodiversity: vascular plants as endemics
1. Species richness 2. Vegetation density 3. Endemism ❑ lost at least 75% of its primary
4. Ethno-botanical importance 5. Threat perception vegetation
6. Adaption of flora & fauna to warm & humid conditions ❑ 36 globally; four in India:
Which three of above are correct criteria in this context? Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western
(a) 1, 2, 6 (b) 2, 4, 6 (c) 1, 3, 5 (d) 3, 4, 6 Ghats, Sundaland

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 All-Inclusive Current Affairs for Prelims 2021
Environment Class-4

Steam reforming?
❑ Natural gas + Steam ➔ Hydrogen + CO/CO2
❑ Grey H2 (CO2 released); Blue H2 (CO2 captured)
❑ 90% of world’s Hydrogen is produced by this process

Prelims 2015:
With reference to 'fuel cells' in which hydrogen-
rich fuel & oxygen are used to generate
H2 gas O2 gas electricity, consider the following statements.
1. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel
cell emits heat and water as by-products.
2. Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings
and not for small devices like laptop
computers.
3. Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of
Alternating Current (AC).
Water Which of the above statements are correct?
Heat (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
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 Mix with CNG
Hydrogen fuel
Fuel cell
Prelims 2019:
In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-
enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public
transport, consider the following statements :
1. The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the
elimination of carbon monoxide emissions.
❑ H-CNG: Hydrogen added to CNG 2. H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and
❑ Engine modification not required. hydrocarbon emissions.
❑ Improves fuel efficiency (5%). 3. Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended
❑ Efficiency increases with load, hence with CNG as fuel for buses.
good for buses. 4. H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG
❑ Reduces pollution: CO2, CO, NOx, etc. Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
❑ Issues: expensive, handling, production (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Electric vehicles Advantages:

❑ Running cost (Rs 1/km vs Rs 8/km)
FAME (2015, 2019): ❑ Eco-friendly
❑ Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles
❑ Scheme by Ministry of Heavy Industries; Disadvantages:
❑ to promote electric vehicles. ❑ Initial cost (30-40% due to battery)
❑ Part of National Electric Mobility Mission Plan ❑ Range limitation (200-500km)
State EV Policy: ❑ Raw material import dependence
Karnataka was the first state to have an EV policy (2017) e.g. Lithium

India Gas Exchange:

Real Time Market in Electricity ❑ Subsidiary of IEX
Energy Exchange: ❑ for trade in imported LNG.
Just like a company’s shares are traded on BSE/NSE Green Term Ahead Market:
Electricity/REC/ESCs are traded on IEX/PXIL ❑ for short-term trade in Renewable energy
India Energy Exchange / Power Exchange India Ltd.
Earlier: day-ahead, week-ahead Renewable Energy Certificate
Now: Just one hour ahead also
Energy Saving Certificate

₹
Energy savings:
Energy savings:
₹
Target : 5,000 units ₹ Target : 5,000 units
Actual : 4,700 units
Actual : 5,800 units

Energy Transition:
➢ Petrol to electric, coal to nuclear, etc. Renewable Purchase Obligation:
➢ Energy Transition Index by? WEF It is necessary for Discoms to meet certain
➢ Fostering Effective Energy Transition initiative? WEF part of energy need from Renewable sources.
Energy Intensity: Renewable Energy Certificates:
➢ Energy used to produce one unit of GDP Purchase certificates instead of purchasing
➢ Low EI can indicate labor intensive economy. renewable power
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 Gas
Natural Gas:
❑ 6% of energy mix
❑ Domestic:Import - 50:50
India imports LNG from:
❑ Qatar (most), Nigeria, etc.
❑ Also USA, Russia, Australia
LNG import terminals:
❑ Gujarat: Dahej and Hazira
❑ Maharashtra: Dabhol
❑ Kerala: Kochi
Domestically produced natural gas price: PM Urja Ganga: piped gas for eastern India
❑ Revised by Govt every six months Sustainable Alternative Towards
❑ Average from US, UK, Russia, Canada Affordable Transportation:
National Gas grid: connect existing gas pipelines ❑ Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
City Gas Distribution: piped gas supply within cities ❑ Use of compressed Bio-gas in vehicles

Prelims 2005: Prelims 2019:

❑ Assertion: Main constituent of liquified Consider the following statements:
petroleum gas is methane. 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory
❑ Reason: Methane can be used directly for Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory
burning in homes and factories where it can body set up by the Govt. of India.
be supplied through pipelines. 2. One of the tasks of PNGRB is to ensure
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct competitive markets for gas.
explanation of A 3. Appeals against decisions of PNGRB go
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct before Appellate Tribunal of Electricity.
explanation of A Which of the above statements are correct?
(c) A is true but R is false (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(d) A is false but R is true (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Natural gas = LNG = CNG = PNG = Methane

Petroleum gas = LPG = Propane

+ Butane

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 Prelims 2014:
With reference to two non-conventional
energy sources called 'coalbed methane’ &
When something is extracted 'shale gas', consider the following:
from earth, it's never really ‘pure’ 1. Coalbed methane is the pure methane
gas extracted from coal seams, while
shale gas is a mixture of propane and
butane only that can be extracted from
fine-grained sedimentary rocks.
2. In India abundant coalbed methane
sources exist, but so far no shale gas
sources have been found.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 & 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Prelims 2014:
In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally
used as vegetable or animal feed, but
recently its cultivation has assumed
significance. Which of the following
statements is correct in this context?
(a) The oil extracted from seeds is used in
manufacture of biodegradable plastics
(b) The gum made from its seeds is used
in the extraction of shale gas
(c) The leaf extract of this plant has the
properties of anti-histamines
(d) It is a source of high quality biodiesel

Ministry of Biodiversity Coldspots

Survey of India 1767 Dehradun ❑ areas with high biodiversity, but low
Science & Tech
threat value
Geological Ministry of ❑ e.g. Amazon rainforests, Boreal forests
1851 Kolkata
Survey of India Mines ❑ threatened species thrive here
Archaeological Ministry of Sustainable ocean economy for 2050:
1861 Delhi
Survey of India Culture report by World Resource Institute

Indian Monsoon Index and Indian Rain Index: Sustainable Renewables Risk
Rainfall performance indicator, launched by NCDEX. Mitigation Initiative:
Data will be provided by SkyMet, not IMD. ❑ Previously known as Solar Risk
❑ BSE/NSE: exchange for shares Mitigation Initiative
❑ NCDEX: exchange for commodities ❑ By World Bank, ISA, and few others
❑ Sensex: index of top 30 companies of BSE ❑ To help countries with funding for
❑ Nifty: index of top 50 companies of NSE renewable energy

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 Target?
Electricity Renewable energy 2015 Paris: 175 GW by 2022 (100 Solar)
136 GW; 3rd largest globally; 36% 2019 UN: 450 GW by 2030 (280 Solar)
https://powermin.gov.in/en/conte

Total capacity:
nt/power-sector-glance-all-india

48% Private
27% States
25% Centre
3.8 lakh MW
(as on 15-07-2021)

02% Nuclear
12% Hydro
25% RES
61% Thermal
(Coal 52%, Gas 6%)
3.8 lakh MW total 47 GW 40 GW 40 GW 10 GW 5 GW
Large hydro Wind Solar Bioenergy Small hydro

Solar energy

Solar tree PM-KUSUM

Hybrid By CSIR-CMERI
Combines multiple
renewable energy sources
More reliable; Less fluctuations

2019; Solar power to farms

Min. of New & Renewable Energy

Floating Solar

Does not waste land;

But is costlier
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 ZBNF vs Organic farming
Zero-Budget Natural Farming. Organic Farming. Conventional Farming.
Yoga. Ayurveda. Allopathy.

Organic inputs from farm itself Organic inputs from outside Chemical inputs from outside
❑ Low cost ❑ Less soil erosion (more SOM) ❑ High yield
Benefits ❑ No debt trap ❑ Less nitrate pollution ❑ Off-season also
❑ Same as Organic f. ❑ Less pesticides ❑ Pest control

❑ Yield: Low yield/acre, especially in first few years ❑ Pesticides

Issues ❑ Weather dependent; No off-season crops ❑ Eutrophication
❑ Risks of fluctuations in output, food shortages, inflation

Sustainable Agriculture

Crop rotation Conservation Agriculture Planting cover crops

❑ On same land, grow different ❑ Minimum tillage ❑ Crop grown to protect
crops in different season/year ❑ Maintain permanent Soil cover (cover) soil, rather than for
❑ Maintains nutrients, prevents ❑ Diversification of plant species purpose of being harvested
disease
Integrated Pest Management Permaculture Vermicomposting:
❑ Using natural enemies, using ❑ Permanent agriculture ❑ Using earthworms to
beneficial microbes, crop ❑ Replicating natural ecosystem's convert organic waste
rotation, etc. stability in agriculture into manure
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Prelims 1999: Prelims 2020:
Which one of the following agricultural In the context of India, which of the following is/are
practices is eco-friendly? considered to be practices of eco-friendly agriculture?
(a) Organic farming 1. Crop diversification 2. Legume intensification
(b) Shifting cultivation 3. Tensiometer use 4. Vertical farming
(c) Cultivation of high yielding varieties Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(d) Growing plants in glass-houses (a) 1,2,3 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 1,2,3,4
Prelims 2017: Prelims 2012:
Which of the following practices can help in Consider the following agricultural practices:
water conservation in agriculture? 1. Contour bunding
1. Reduced or zero tillage of the land 2. Relay cropping
2. Applying gypsum before irrigating field 3. Zero tillage
3. Allowing crop residue to remain in field In the context of global climate change, which of the
Select the correct answer: above helps in carbon sequestration in the soil?
(a) 1,2 (b) 3 (c) 1,3 (d) 1,2,3 (a) 1,2 (b) 3 (c) 1,2,3 (d) None of the above
Prelims 2018: Prelims 2020:
With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the What are the advantages of zero tillage in
concept of “Conservation Agriculture” assumes significance. agriculture?
Which of the following fall under the Conservation 1. Sowing of wheat is possible without
Agriculture? burning residue of previous crop.
1. Avoiding the monoculture practices 2. Without the need for nursery of rice
2. Adopting minimum tillage saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds
3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops in wet soil is possible.
4. Using crop residues to cover soil surface 3. Carbon sequestration in soil is possible
5. Adopting spatial & temporal crop sequencing/rotation Select the correct answer:
Select the correct answer: (a) 1,2 (b) 2,3
(a) 1,3,4 (b) 2,3,4,5 (c) 2,4,5 (d) 1,2,3,5 (c) 3 (d) 1,2,3

Vertical farming Hydro/Aqua/Aero ponics

General Benefits: Aquaman
❑ 90% less water rides on fish
❑ Less space
❑ Faster growth
❑ Controlled environment
❑ No weeds
Challenges:
❑ Technical know-how
❑ Capital intensive

Hydroponics. Aquaponics.

Aeroponics. Rice-fish farming.

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 Climate Smart Cities

Climate Smart Cities Prelims 2018:

Assessment Framework 2.0 With reference to the 'Global Alliance for Climate Smart
❑ by MoHUA; Sept. 2020 Agriculture (GACSA)', which of the following statements are
❑ 5 categories: correct?
Green buildings; 1. GACSA is outcome of Climate Summit held in Paris in 2015
Green cover; 2. Membership of GACSA doesn’t create any binding obligations
Transport; 3. India was instrumental in the creation of GACSA
Water mgmt; Select the correct answer using the code given
Waste mgmt (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

BEE Bureau of Energy EESL Energy Efficiency

Efficiency Services Limited
Statutory body; Energy Joint Venture of PSUs
Conservation Act, 2001
2002 2009
Ministry of Power Ministry of Power
Frame national policies for To facilitate energy
energy efficiency efficiency projects ❑ Make lots of chilled water at one location
Bee Star label; Works on sustainable ❑ Supply it to various buildings by pipes
ECBC for buildings business models ❑ Buildings won’t need own air conditioning

Energy By BEE mandatory for

Conservation For commercial certain new
Building Code buildings commercial buildings
By Min. of Power New Indian Way for
Eco-Niwas
For residential Affordable &
Samhita
buildings Sustainable Homes
By TERI & MNRE Green Rating for
GRIHA Rating tool Integrated Habitat
Assessment
By US Green Leadership in Energy
Building Council. and Environmental
LEED
Similar to GRIHA, Design
but at global level

Urban Heat Island

Urban area warmer
than surrounding areas

The temperature
difference is usually
larger at night than
during the day, and is
most apparent when
winds are weak.

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 EIA
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA):
❖ evaluating the likely environmental impacts of
a proposed project.
❖ EIA notification is made by MoEF&CC under
EPA, 1986. Current notification is of 2006.
Categories of projects:
❑ Category A : EIA mandatory, so no screening.
❑ Category B : screening classifies projects as:
▪ Category B1 projects: EIA required
▪ Category B2 projects: EIA not required

Who gives
Environmental Category A projects: Category B projects:
clearance? Expert Appraisal Committee → MoEFCC State EAC → State EIA Authority

NGT
Prelims 2018: Prelims 2012:
How is NGT different from CPCB The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was
1. NGT has been established by an Act enacted in consonance with which of the
whereas CPCB has been created by an following provisions of the Constitution of India?
executive order of the Government. 1. Right to healthy environment, construed as a
2. NGT provides environmental justice and part of Right to life under Article 21
helps reduce the burden of litigation in 2. Provision of grants for raising level of
the higher courts whereas CPCB promotes administration in Scheduled Areas for
cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims welfare of Scheduled Tribes u/a 275(1)
to improve the quality of air in the 3. Powers and functions of Gram Sabha as
country. mentioned under Article 243 (A)
Which of the above statements is/are correct: Select correct answer using codes given below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

❑ Statutory body; NGT Act 2010

❑ Chairperson:
❑ India 1st to set up env tribunal? No Aus/NZ
serving/retd. SC Judge or HC CJ
❑ Civil cases? Yes; Criminal cases? No
❑ Natural justice; ❑ 10-20 Judicial members:
Not bound by Code of Civil Procedure 1908 serving/retd. SC Judge / HC CJ / HC Judge
❑ Delhi (Principal) ❑ 10-20 Expert members
Pune, Kolkata, Bhopal, Chennai ❑ 5 year term; no reappointment
❑ Decision can be challenged 'only' in SC? No

✓Water Act 1974; ✓Water Cess Act 1977; ✓Air Act 1981;
Laws under NGT ✓Forest (Conservation) Act 1980; ✓Environment (Protection) Act 1986;
✓Public Liability Insurance Act 1991; ✓Biological Diversity Act 2002
WPA 1972? No

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 Disaster Management
Who notifies a disaster? MHA National Disaster Response Fund:
Which law was used to impose lockdown
✓ It is defined in Disaster Management Act, 2005
and other orders like quarantine?
✓ Disaster Management Act, 2005 ✓ It gets money from cess, budgetary allocations,
✓ Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and voluntary contributions. 
✓ It is placed in the 'Public Account' of Union Govt.
Disaster Management Act, 2005 ✓ It is audited by CAG. 
❑ At National, State, District level it provides ✓ It supplements SDRF of a State.
for Authority (PM/CM/DM), Fund, ✓ Disasters: Cold wave? Yes. Heat wave? No.
Mitigation Fund.
✓ Cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood,
❑ National Executive Committee headed by
tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche,
Home secretary (not Health secretary) .
cloudburst, pest attack, frost and cold waves.
Epidemic Disease Act, 1897
To tackle Bubonic plague in Bombay
Doesn’t define dangerous epidemic disease Global Assessment Report on DRR
❑ published biennially by the UN Office for
Strict vs Absolute Liability: Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
If company’s equipment/chemical caused
harm to people, then is the company liable? UNDDR:
❑ 1999 ; HQ Geneva, Switzerland
Strict liability: Yes, but with exceptions
❑ part of UN Secretariat
(Act of God, Act of Stranger, etc) (old concept)

Absolute liability: Yes, no exceptions Sendai framework for DRR:

(since 1986 Oleum case) ❑ For 15 years 2015-2030
Today there are many methods / technologies ❑ It is successor to Hyogo Framework for Action
/ procedures for company to protect its 2005-2015
equipment.
National Institute of Disaster Management:
India Meteorological Department: ❑ Statutory body; Disaster Management Act, 2005
❑ 1875; HQ Delhi ❑ under Ministry of Home Affairs
❑ Ministry of Earth Sciences

Lightning

How lightning is formed:

➢ Winds inside the cloud are very turbulent.
➢ Updraft carries water droplets up the cloud.
➢ Downdraft push ice to bottom part of cloud.
➢ The process triggers release of electrons.
➢ Top of cloud forms positive charge.
➢ Bottom of cloud forms negative charge.
➢ Lightning occurs within the cloud, between
clouds, between cloud and earth.

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 Styrene
✓ Stored as liquid, evaporates easily.
✓ It is a ‘hazardous chemical’ under Hazardous
Chemical Rules 1989. (multiple ill effects)
✓ Used to make Polystyrene
✓ Polystyrene is used in disposable cups, home
appliances, automobiles, electronics, etc.

P wave
Earthquakes
➢ All natural earthquakes
take place in the
S wave
lithosphere
➢ Waves are faster in
denser material.
➢ Body waves: move through the body. P-waves travel
through solid liquid gas. S-waves travel only through
Love wave solid.
➢ Surface waves: move along the surface. They are
generated when body waves interact with surface
rocks. Most destructive.

Rayleigh wave

❑ Earthquakes can be predicted

few hours before. No
❑ Warning can be sent seconds
before an earthquake strikes?
Yes (P vs S)
❑ Google is turning Android
phones into Earthquake
Detectors.
❑ Benefit: Elevators, gas
pipelines can be shut off
automatically
Mercalli - intensity - observed effects of earthquake
Richter - magnitude - seismic waves or energy released energy

If confused in exam, just recall two things:

1. Which scale is mentioned in news? Richter
2. When is it mentioned? Within 5 minutes of earthquake.
Within 5 minutes, we can measure magnitude (i.e. Energy,
not intensity or destruction)
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 Glacial till:
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods sediment deposited by glacier (can form moraine)
Moraine:
material left behind by a moving glacier (soil, rock)

Prelims 2014.
Drought
➢ Meteorological drought: less rain
➢ Hydrological drought: less water in dams
➢ Agricultural drought: low soil moisture
➢ Ecological drought: low ecosystem
productivity
Flash drought:
If no rain happens, and temperature also rises
abnormally, soil will lose moisture fast, leading to
sudden drought, called as Flash drought. Biggest
impact seen on Agriculture.

Heat Waves Plains Coastal Hills

Precondition 40 37 30
❑ Heat Wave is a notified disaster under Heat wave Normal + 4.5 Normal + 4.5 Normal + 4.5
Disaster Management Act, 2005? No or 45
❑ Heat wave is included in the list of 12 Severe Heat Normal + 6.4 Normal + 6.4 Normal + 6.4
disasters eligible for relief under National/ wave or 47
State Disaster Response Funds? No * All figures indicate maximum temperature

Forest Fires
Causes: lightning, rockfall sparks, cigarette, camp fire,
electric cables, shifting cultivation, mafia, etc.
Impacts: air, water, wildlife, livelihood, loss of carbon sink;
increase tropospheric ozone; damage stratospheric ozone
Benefits of light forest fire:
✓ Return nutrients to soil, that were stored in dead trees
✓ Eliminates invasive weeds, insects, diseases
✓ Clears forest floor for new seeds to germinate
✓ Some trees need light fire to flower e.g. Banksia
✓ Controlled fires can prevent natural fires 21% of India's forest area is prone to fire
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 Cyclones Temperate cyclone Tropical cyclone Trick to remember
Move west to east → Move east to west  Cyclones come from Bay of
(Westerlies) (Easterlies) Bengal to Odisha
Name Region Affects larger area Affect less area Mostly only Odisha is in news
Cyclone Indian Ocean Lower wind speed Higher wind speed Very high winds in news
Hurricane Atlantic Ocean Can form on sea as Forms on sea, Most news comes only till it
Typhoon Japan, China well as land dissipates on land reaches coast
Willy Willies Australia Formed due to fronts Frontal system absent Never saw this in news
Usually lasts 14 days Usually lasts 7 days News only for 3-4 days

Conditions favorable for the formation and intensification of tropical cyclones:

1. Large sea surface with temperature higher than 27° C
❑ For low pressure area to form
2. Small variations in the vertical wind speed
❑ Air rises; moisture in air condenses; releases latent heat; this energy intensifies cyclone
3. Presence of the Coriolis force enough to create a cyclonic vortex
❑ At the equator, the Coriolis force is zero.
❑ Low pressure gets filled instead of getting intensified.
4. A pre-existing weak low-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation
❑ Many Bay of Bengal cyclones are remains of typhoons
5. Upper divergence above the sea level system

Why more cyclones recently in Arabian sea? Naming of cyclones in Indian Ocean:
Main reason is global warming, but exactly how, ✓ Chosen from list of 169 names
is under research, multiple theories, not for prelims (13 countries submit 13 names each)
✓ Mechanism by WMO and UN-ESCAP
Why more cyclones in Bay of Bengal than Arabian sea? ✓ IMD as RSMC names cyclones in
1. Higher sea surface temperature Indian Ocean
2. Many Bay of Bengal cyclones are remains of typhoons RSMC: Regional Specialised
Meteorological Centres
Medicanes? Mediterranean Hurricanes; colder; smaller

Without
Coriolis effect

With
Coriolis effect
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 Prelims 2010:
What causes wind to deflect towards
left in the Southern Hemisphere?
(a) Temperature
(b) Magnetic field
(c) Rotation of earth
(d) Pressure
Prelims 2002:
(A): Surface winds spiral inwards upon
the centre of cyclone
(R): Air descends in the centre of cyclone
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the
correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT a
correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) (d) A is false but R is true
Prelims 2015:
In the South Atlantic and South Eastern
Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone
does not originate. What is the reason?
(a) Sea Surface temperatures are low
(b) ITCZ seldom occurs
(c) Coriolis force is too weak
(d) Absence of land in those regions

Prelims 2020:
Consider the following statements:
1. Jet streams occur in Northern Hemisphere only
2. Only some cyclones develop an eye
3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10OC
lesser than that of the surroundings
Which of the above statements is/are correct:
(a) 1 only (b) 2, 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1, 3 only

Fujiwhara effect: two nearby

cyclonic vortices move around
each other. They may merge,
or move away on their own
paths after some time.

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 ENSO ; El-Nino ; El-Nino Modoki; La-Nina

La Nina : normal situation gets intensified

El Nino : normal situation gets weakened

Nina is a good girl, she strengthens monsoon

Nino is a bad boy, he weakens monsoon
Modoki is both good and bad.
➢ It decreases cyclones in Bay of Bengal,
➢ but increases cyclones in Arabian sea (& hurricanes)

Indian Ocean Dipole

Positive IOD Negative IOD

Arabian warmer; BoB cooler Arabian cooler; BoB warmer
❑ More rain in India ❑ Less rain in India
❑ Less rain in Australia ❑ More rain in Australia

❑ Eastern moving system of wind, cloud and pressure

❑ Brings rain as it circles around the equator.
Madden Julian Oscillation ❑ Recurs every 30 to 60 days.
❑ Affects weather activities across the globe.

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 Prelims 2002: Prelims 2010:
For short-term climate prediction, which A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki
one of the following events, detected in appeared in the news. In this context, consider the
the last decade, is associated with following statements:
occasional weak monsoon rains in the 1. Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific
India subcontinent? ocean whereas El Nino Modoki forms in Eastern
(a) La Nina Pacific ocean.
(b) Movement of jet streams 2. Normal El Nino results in diminished hurricanes
(c) El Nino and southern oscillations in the Atlantic ocean but El Nino Modoki results
(d) Greenhouse effect on global level in a greater number of hurricanes with greater
frequency.
Prelims 2011: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
La Nina is suspected to have caused recent (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
floods in Australia. How is La Nina (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
different from El Nino?
1. La Nina is characterised by an usually Prelims 2017:
cold ocean temperature in equatorial With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’
Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is sometimes seen in news while forecasting Indian
characterised by unusually warm monsoon, which of the following statements is/are
ocean temperature in the equatorial correct?
Pacific Ocean. 1. IOD phenomenon is characterised by a
2. El Nino has an adverse effect on the difference in sea surface temperature between
south-west monsoon of India but La tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical
Nina has no effect on monsoon Eastern Pacific Ocean.
climate. 2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino’s
Which of the statements given above impact on the monsoon.
is/are correct? Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (c) Both 1 & 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Miscellaneous

Inter-decadal Pacific Oscillation Boreal summer intra seasonal

➢ Positive: warmer tropical pacific, cooler northern pacific oscillation: movement of heat from
➢ Negative: cooler tropical pacific, warmer northern pacific Indian Ocean to western Pacific
➢ Pattern oscillates every 15-30 years. Ocean roughly every 10-50 days
Latest research: positive phase weakens Indian monsoon. during monsoon (June-September)

Urban Flooding
➢ CFLOWS-Chennai and IFLOWS-Mumbai are flood warning apps.
➢ Reasons for urban flooding (obvious). Guidelines, etc. not for exam.

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 Prelims 2009:
In the structure of Earth, below the
Structure of Earth
mantle, the core is mainly made up
of which of the following?
(a) Aluminium (b) Chromium
(c) Iron (d) Silicon
Lithosphere:
Crust and some upper mantle Conrad discontinuity
Thickness varies 10-200 km Moho discontinuity
Repetti discontinuity
Asthenosphere: 2900 km Gutenburg discontinuity
Up to 400 km; Upper portion of mantle Lehmann discontinuity
Main source of magma 5100 km

Core:
Mostly made of nickel & iron (nife) 6400 km
Why layers?
❑ Formation of earth; High temperature 70 km : thickness of Continental crust at Himalayas
❑ Material separated as per to density 30 km : thickness of Continental crust at plains
❑ Heavy sank; lighter rose 05 km : thickness of oceanic crust
❑ Crust cooled and solidified

Earth is perfect sphere?

No, its ellipsoid
Earth’s Magnetic Field
Earth's magnetic field:
❑ Reason: iron in core; earth rotates
❑ Protects us from harmful radiation
❑ If larger core → stronger MF
❑ If faster rotation → stronger MF
❑ Reversed every few lakh years
❑ Magnetic axis makes 11O angle with
Geographic axis
❑ Magnetic equator passes through
Equator is 21 km far than poles Thumba, Kerala

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 Magnetosphere:
❑ Region where earth’s magnetic field dominates
❑ Its shape is influenced by Solar wind
❑ 6-10 times of earth's radius on sun side
❑ 1000 times of earth's radius on night side
❑ Magnetopause: outer boundary of earth's
magnetosphere

Auroras; VARs; SAA

Van Allen Radiation belt: Auroras:
✓ High energy particles trapped by earth’s MF
Formed at poles due to disturbances in
✓ Two such belts (inner and outer)
earth's magnetosphere caused by solar wind.
✓ Extends from 600 km to 60,000 km.
✓ Acts as a protective layer around earth. Polar lights (aurora polaris)
Northern lights (aurora borealis)
Southern lights (aurora australis)

South Atlantic Anomaly:

➢ Over South America & southern Atlantic Ocean.
➢ Here earth's magnetic field is relatively weak.
➢ Here inner VAR belt comes down to just 200 km.
➢ Adversely affects people living under this area? No
➢ Adversely affects satellites passing through? Yes

Gravity Anomaly
What: difference b/w actual and expected gravity at a place
Reason: uneven distribution of mass in earth
Gravity comes from mass.
Mass is not uniformly distributed.

GRACE & GRACE-FO:

✓ 2002-17 and 2018
✓ NASA and Germany
✓ Tom & Jerry are the nicknames of two satellites.
✓ To make gravity map, to track water movement.
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 aka Chomolungma, Sagarmatha
Mt. Everest named after George Everest (Surveyor General of India 1830-43)

Great Trigonometrical Survey: (1802-71)

❑ Started in 1802 by William Lambton
❑ To survey entire Indian subcontinent
❑ Demarcated British territories in India
❑ Measured height of Everest, K2, Kanchenjunga

Tallest from Furthest from Highest altitude

base to peak Earth’s Centre above sea level

Ocean Panthalassa; Continent Pangaea

200 mya: Pangea broke; India started moving north

140 mya: India at 50OS
60 mya: outpouring of lava; Deccan traps formed
40 mya: India collided with Asia

Q. Which sea separated India from Asia? Tethys Sea

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 Seabed
Seabed 2030 Project:
❑ to make detailed map of ocean floor by 2030;
❑ by Nippon & GEBCO (General Bathymetric Chart of Oceans)
❑ GEBCO operates under UNESCO’s International Hydrographic Organization & Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission
Continental Shelf: extended margin of Mid-Oceanic Ridges: two Continental Slope:
continent occupied by seas; average mountain chains connects continental shelf
width 80km; largest is Siberian shelf in separated by a large and ocean basin; depth
Arctic ocean (1,500 km); depth 30m to depression; Iceland is part 200-3000m; its boundary
600m; source of fossil fuels; ends at of mid- Atlantic Ridge indicates end of continents
shelf break

Guyot: flat topped

seamount

Seamount: mountain with Deep sea plain: flattest Oceanic Deeps or Trenches: deepest
pointed summit that does and smoothest regions of part of ocean; 3-5km deeper than
not reach surface; the world; 3-6 km deep; surrounding; occur at base of
Emperor seamount is covered with fine continental slopes; associated with
extension of Hawaiian sediments like clay and active volcanoes & earthquakes; most
islands silt in Pacific
Digital Ocean:
Deep Ocean Mission: ❑ web portal for all ocean Samudrayaan:
❑ Explore oceans for minerals, energy, related data MoES project to
biodiversity, etc. ❑ By Indian National Centre for send humans to
❑ Involves multiple agencies like MoES, ISRO, Ocean Information Services 6km deep ocean
DRDO, National Biodiversity Authority (MoES)

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 All-Inclusive Current Affairs for Prelims 2021
Environment Class-5 Update (Feb-June)
Millets
❑ small grained cereal Prelims 1997:
❑ grown here for thousands of years List-1 List-2
❑ drought tolerant; need less inputs A. Barley 1. Hot and dry climate with poor soil
(fertilizers, pesticides) B. Rice 2. Cool climate with poorer soil
❑ Called famine reserves C. Millets 3. Warm & moist climate with high altitude
(grow in 65 days, keep for years) D. Tea 4. Hot & moist climate with rich soil
❑ “Mostly” grown as kharif crop Codes:
Health benefits: (many) (a) A – 2; B – 4; C – 1; D – 3 (b) A – 3; B – 4; C – 1; D – 2
❑ Micronutrients (aka nutri-cereals) (c) A – 2; B – 1; C – 4; D – 3 (d) A – 3; B – 2; C – 4; D –1
calcium, iron, phosphorus, etc. Prelims 2016:
more nutritious than wheat & rice
With reference to ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security
❑ high fibre; detoxify; non-allergenic
through Intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the
❑ gluten free; low in Glycemic Index;
following statements is/are correct?
❑ Helps prevent type 2 diabetes;
1. This initiative aims to demonstrate improved
Major Millets: production and post-harvest technologies, and
Minor Millets:
Jowar (Sorghum)
Kodo, Foxtail, to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an
Bajra (Pearl Millet)
Ragi (Finger Millet) Proso, Barnyard integrated manner, with cluster approach.
2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have
Pseudo Millets:
larger stake in this scheme.
Amaranth (Ramdana); Buckwheat (Kuttu)
3. An important objective of the scheme is to
Largest producer: encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift
❑ India: 30-40% of global production. to millet cultivation by offering them free kits
❑ Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka of critical inputs of nutrients & microirrigation
Indian Institute of Millets Research: equipment.
under ICAR; est. in 1958; HQ: Hyderabad Select the correct answer:
2018: Year of millets in India (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
2023: Year of millets by UN (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Some
Millets

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 Climate Vulnerability
Understand like this: National climate vulnerability assessment report:
Threat: something that can harm you ❑ by MoEFCC Ministry of Science & Technology
Vulnerability: your weakness ❑ identifies vulnerability of states & districts
Risk: damage it can cause you ❑ 8 eight eastern states are most vulnerable

National Action Plan on Climate change: (8 missions):

1. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change
2. National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
3. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
4. National Solar Mission
5. National Water Mission
6. National Mission for a Green India
7. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
8. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem

IPCC: IPBES:
❑ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate ❑ Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and
Change Ecosystem Services
❑ It is a UN body; Geneva, Switzerland ❑ It is not a UN body; Bonn, Germany
❑ Est. in 1988 by UNEP and WMO ❑ Est. in 2012 by 94 Governments
❑ Does not conduct original research ❑ Does not conduct original research
❑ IPCC got 2007 Nobel Peace Prize ❑ UNEP provides secretariat services to IPBES

Biennial Update Report (BUR) - 3

India’s Third Biennial Report to UNFCCC:
Correction for page-4:
❑ Submitted by MoEFCC
❑ Emission intensity fell by 24% in 2005-2016
India’s INDCs: (by 2030)
1) Reduce emission intensity by
(But absolute GHG India GDP (current US$): 33-35%, compared to 2005
emissions increased) ➢ 2005: 0.82 trillion level
➢ 2015: 2.10 trillion 2) Create additional 2.5-3 billion
Emission Intensity: ➢ 2019: 2.87 trillion
tonne of carbon sink
GHG emissions per ➢ 2020: 2.62 trillion
unit of GDP Source: data.worldbank.org 3) Get 40% energy from
non-fossil fuel sources.
Some examples mentioned:
Direct seeding of rice (pg-50); Neem coated urea Intended Nationally Determined Contribution

Prelims 2016: Neem Coated Urea:

Why does govt. promote use of Neem-coated urea in agriculture? ❑ Neem coated urea slows
(a) Release of Neem oil in soil increases nitrogen fixation by soil down nitrogen release, so
microorganisms plants absorb more.
(b) Neem coating slows down rate of dissolution of urea in soil ❑ Less diversion to industry;
(c) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released less consumption by
into atmosphere by crop fields farmer; low subsidy
(d) It is a combination of weedicide & fertilizer for particular crops burden

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 Emission Norms
TREM Stage norms: CEV Stage norms:
❑ by MoEFCC MoRTH ❑ by MoEFCC MoRTH
❑ for tractors, harvesters, etc. ❑ for construction equipment vehicles
❑ Tractors above 50 hp (only 7%)
❑ TREM Stage-IV norms will come in
Central Pollution Control Board
force from October 2021. ❑ CPCB is a statutory body under MoEFCC
❑ Water (Prevention & Control of pollution) Act, 1974
Coal power plants and fly ash: ❑ Gives technical services to MoEFCC under EPA, 1986
Covered on pages 16,17,18 ❑ also has powers under some other laws.

Bharat Stage Norms: (both fuel & vehicle needs to be upgraded) Source of air pollution:
1. They are based on Euro emission norms. As per International Energy
2. They are issued by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). Agency’s Clean Coal Centre:
3. “India 2000” was the first BS norm enforced in the year 2000. ❑ Air pollution:
4. In April 2018 Delhi became first city to run on BS-VI fuel → coal power plants
5. India skipped BS-V, and enforced BS-VI from April 2020. ❑ SO2:
6. SOx 10 ppm (earlier 50 ppm) → coal Power plants
7. NOx 70% less in diesel, 25% less in petrol ❑ NOx:
8. Apply to: 2/3 wheelers, cars, trucks, buses, (not airplanes) → Transport

GloLitter Partnerships Project: Marine Litter See page-23.

❑ by IMO, FAO, Norway
❑ help developing countries reduce Food and Agriculture Organization UN sp. ag; Rome; 1945
marine litter, especially plastic. International Maritime Organization UN sp. ag; London; 1948
Bio-accumulation vs Bio-magnification

Prelims 2010: Which substances bio-accumulate

A pesticide which is a chlorinated hydrocarbon is sprayed and bio-magnify?
on a food crop. The food chain is: Food crop – Rat – Snake ❑ Does not degrade;
– Hawk. In this food chain, highest concentration of the ❑ Not easily excreted; It
pesticide would accumulate in which one of the following? ❑ Is soluble in fats.
(a) Food crop (b) Rat (c) Snake (d) Hawk ❑ e.g. Mercury, PoPs (page-21)
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 Dead Zones
What are Dead zones w.r.t. water bodies? What are the reasons for ocean deoxygenation?
❑ Areas in a water body with too less oxygen ❑ Global warming (warm water holds less oxygen)
(hypoxia) for marine life to survive. ❑ Eutrophication:
❑ Mostly happens due to Eutrophication excess nutrients → Algal bloom → Algae
❑ One such Dead zone seen in Bay of Bengal decomposition uses up oxygen

Seaweed
❑ plant/algae growing in water body
eg: phytoplankton, kelps, etc.
❑ Benefits:
→ Many are edible, nutrient rich,
medicines, chemicals for industries,
cosmetics, biofuel, etc.
❑ China:
→ Half the global production
❑ India:
→ nominal, will increase
→ Cultivated at Palk Bay (TN), etc.
→ Multipurpose Seaweed park to
be set up in Tamil Nadu

Coastal Zone Management

Integrated Coastal Zone Management:
❑ 2010; with World Bank assistance
❑ For livelihoods and environment
SICOM: National Centre for
❑ Society for Integrated Sustainable Coastal
Coastal Management; Management:
❑ under MoEFCC ❑ Chennai;
❑ Implements: ICZM, ENCORE ❑ under MoEFCC;
Coastline: 7516.6 km
RoRo:
Mainland: 5422.6 km
Roll on Roll off ❑ CRZ notifications by MoEFCC under EPA 1986
Islands: 2094 km
RoPax: ❑ CRZ 2018 notification allows more activities
Longest: Gujarat 1600 km compared to CRZ 2011 notification (1991-2011-2018)
RoRo passenger
Shortest: Goa 131 km ❑ It is based on recomm. of Shailesh Nayalk Committee
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 Sand mining

Prelims 2018:
Which of the following are the possible
consequences of heavy sand mining in
riverbeds?
1. Decreased salinity in the river Alternatives of
2. Pollution of groundwater river bed sand:
3. Lowering of the water-table ❑ M-sand
Select the correct answer using the code ❑ Fly ash
given below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1 ,2 and 3

Prelims 2019:
With reference to the management of minor minerals in India,
consider the following statements: What you need to remember:
1. Sand is a 'minor mineral' according to the prevailing law in ❑ Sand is a minor mineral.
the country. ❑ For minor minerals, State
2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases govt. :
of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation → Frames rules to grant
of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the mining lease
Centre Government.
→ Grants mining lease
3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to
→ Frames rules to prevent
prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? illegal mining
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 only
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 See page-33. ❑ Five species in Indian waters:
Turtles Olive Ridley, Leatherback,
Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead
Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary: ❑ All protected under Schedule I
➢ in Varanasi, since 1989 of WPA 1972
Leatherback turtle:
Turtle Rehab Centre:
➢ nests in Galathea National Park
➢ for freshwater turtle (south Great Nicobar)
➢ in Bihar's Bhagalpur
Red-eared turtle:
Threats: ➢ invasive species recently seen in
➢ probably all correct Kerala (originally from Mexico)

UNDP Sea Turtle Project in India:

➢ for many sea turtle species.
➢ since 1999; with WII (1982, Dehradun)
Arribada: mass nesting
MoEFCC in 2021 launched:
➢ National Marine Turtle Action Plan
➢ Marine MegaFauna Stranding Guidelines

IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU:

➢ Indian Ocean South East Asia
➢ MoU to conserve turtles
➢ India is part of it.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/kemps-ridley-turtle
➢ Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles are the smallest sea turtle in the world.
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/olive-ridley-turtle
➢ Olive Ridley sea turtle is among the smallest of the world’s sea turtles.
https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/priority_species/lesser_known_species/olive_ridley_turtle/
➢ Olive Ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world

Coelacanth Himalayan Serow

❑ Existed 40-50 crore years ago
❑ Assumed extinct; seen in 1938
❑ Indian Ocean; deep sea

Mandarin Duck
❑ IUCN: LC; Migratory bird
❑ East China, Japan, etc.
❑ Recently seen near Dibru
Saikhowa NP in Assam

Bharitalasuchus tapani ➢ Recently seen in HP, Assam

❑ reptile; lived 24 crore years ago ➢ Many species of Serow, all in Asia
❑ Fossils found in Yerrapalli rock ➢ Like cross of cow, pig, goat, donkey
formation Pranhita-Godavari ➢ They are Herbivores
basin in Telangana ➢ IUCN: VU; Schedule-1 WPA 1972
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 Elephants
Prelims 1999:
"India has the largest population of the Asian X. Today, there are just about 20,000 to 25,000 X in
their natural habitat spreading across the evergreen forests, dry thorn forest, swamps and
grasslands. Their prime habitats, are however the moist deciduous forests. The X population in
India ranges from north-west India where they are found in the forest divisions of Dehradun.
Bijnor and National districts, of UP to the Western Ghats in the states of Karnataka and Kerala and
Tamil Nadu. In Central India, their population distributed over Southern Bihar and Orissa. In the
East, they are seen in North Bengal, Assam and a few other states." The animal "X" referred to in
this quotation is:
(a) Lion (b) Elephant (c) Tiger (d) One-horned rhinoceros

Prelims 2009: Prelims 2020:

Elephant pass, frequently in With reference to Indian elephants, consider following statements:
news, is mentioned in 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female
context of the affairs of which 2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
of the following? 3. Elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only
(a) Bangladesh 4. Among the States, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.
(b) India Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
(c) Nepal (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 4 only
(d) Sri Lanka (c) 3 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Elephant (IUCN: Endangered)

✓ 1992: Project Elephant
✓ 2010: National Heritage animal
✓ 60% of 50,000 Asian Elephants are in India
✓ State with most wild elephants: Karnataka
✓ State with most captive elephants: Assam
Surakhsya:
✓ portal on Human-Elephants Conflict
✓ using data for better policy formulation

Miyawaki Technique Venus Flytrap

❑ Dionaea muscipula
❑ IUCN: VU
❑ carnivorous plant
❑ Native to USA
❑ Magnetic fields
detected recently

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 Tiger translocation:
Tiger ❑ 2018: Kanha (MP) and Bandhavgarh (MP) → Satkosia (Odisha)
Failed: one died, another taken back
See page-31. ❑ 2020/21: Jim Corbett → Rajaji
Hailey/Corbett NP: 1st NP (1936) and also 1st under Project Tiger (1973)

Mahseer
Lantana camara
❑ Native of Americas;
❑ Invasive species in India
❑ Affecting 40% of tiger habitat
Orange Golden Blue
Kaveri Himalayas Deccan

Rhinos are herbivores Rhino

Indian Rhino Vision 2020: (2005-2020)

❑ Target: 3,000 rhinos in Assam by 2020 by
establishing populations in new areas.
❑ Translocate from Kaziranga and Pobitora to
They weigh 1000 kg, still can swim. ✓Manas, ✓Orang, Laokhowa, Buracharpori,
New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos:
Dibrusaikhowa
❑ 2019; By MoEFCC, IUCN, WWF
❑ India, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia ❑ Manas: 0 in 2005 → WHS 2011 → 48 in 2021
❑ To increase population of Asian Rhinos ❑ 2008: Indian Rhino declared VU (from EN)
Nat. Conservation Strategy for Rhino also 2019
Prelims 2019:
Consider the following statements:
1. Asiatic lion naturally found in India only VU
2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only
3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only
Which one of the statement given above is/are correct? CR
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 CR
CR

NT
N White and Black Rhinos are actually Grey in color

N
N
N
Indian rhinoceros:
➢ Greater one-horned rhino
➢ More than 2/3 in Kaziranga NP
➢ Highest density in Pobitora
➢ Pobitora WS aka Mini Kaziranga

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 Biofuels

Less polluting:
❑ less harmful
pollutants,
❑ better
combustion due
to presence of
oxygen

Prelims 2017:
It is possible to produce algae based
biofuels, but what are the likely
limitations of developing countries in
promoting this industry?
1. Production of algae based biofuels is
possible in seas only and not on
continents.
2. Setting up and engineering the algae
based biofuel production requires
high level of expertise/technology
until the construction is completed.
3. Economically viable production
Algaculture: necessitates the setting up of large
→ algae farming
Oilgae: scale facilities which may raise
→ oil of algae ecological and social concerns.
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Prelims 2010:
Given below are the names of four energy crops.
Which one of them can be cultivated for ethanol?
(a) Jatropha (b) Maize
(c) Pongamia (d) Sunflower

Jatropha:
❑ native of India Americas
❑ drought-resistant
❑ used in medicines, insecticides, fertilizers, etc.
❑ seeds have up to 35% non-edible oil.
❑ used for making ethanol biodiesel
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 Petrol ≈ Ethanol
Crude oil ≠ ≠ Biomass
Diesel ≈ Biodiesel

Prelims 2014:
Consider the following statements:
1. Maize can be used for the production of starch.
2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for
biodiesel.
3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using
maize.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Blending target by 2030:
➢ Ethanol: (E20) 20% (currently 8.5%) by 2025
➢ Biodiesel: 5% (currently 0.1%)
➢ Price that OMCs pay is set by CCEA
➢ Problem: performance, mileage, etc.
Drop-in fuel:
➢ functionally same to conventional fuel
➢ don't require engine modification
Bi-fuel vehicle: Fuels stored in separate tanks
Flex-fuel vehicle: Fuels store in same tank
(May become mandatory, can run even E85)
Stardust 1.0: in India USA
➢ First commercial space launch vehicle
powered by biofuel;

National Biofuel Policy

1st in 2009; new in 2018

Basic vs Advanced:
1G is Basic;
2G & 3G are Advanced

For using used cooking oil?

RUCO by FSSAI

NBCC under ministry?

X Ministry of Agriculture
✓ Ministry of P&NG

Scheme for 2G ethanol?

PM Ji-VAN Yojana

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 Prelims 2020:
According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, PM JI-VAN Yojana ?
which of the following can be used as raw materials (Ji-VAN = Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool
for the production of biofuels? fasal awashesh Nivaran)
1. Cassava 2. Damaged wheat grains ➢ MoP&NG; 2019; to promote 2G
3. Groundnut seeds 4. Horse gram ethanol capacity
5. Rotten potatoes 6. Sugar beet ➢ Financial support (VGF) to Integrated
Select the correct answer: Bioethanol projects.
(a) 1,2,5,6 (b) 1,3,4,6 (c) 2,3,4,5 (d) 1,2,3,4,5,6 ➢ Ethanol produced under this scheme
will be used only for blending purpose.
* PM JI-VAN should not be confused with
PM Jeevan Jyoti yojana which is a life
insurance scheme.

Prelims 2003:
Consider the following statements:
1. Molasses is a by-product of sugar
production process.
2. Bagasse obtained in sugar mills is
used as fuel in boilers to generate
steam for sugar factories.
3. Sugar can only be produced from
sugarcane as the raw material.
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3

Prelims 2013:
With reference to the usefulness of
the by-products of sugar industry,
which of the following statements
is/are correct?
1. Bagasse can be used as biomass
fuel for the generation of energy.
2. Molasses can be used as one of
the feedstocks for the production
of synthetic chemical fertilizers.
3. Molasses can be used for the
production of ethanol.
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Q. With reference to ethanol production in India, which of

the following statements are correct ?
❑ Molasses and Bagasse are by-products of sugar-making.
❑ Second molasses ('B' Molasses) is created from second
boiling, and has a slightly bitter taste.
❑ No separate environmental clearance is required to
produce ethanol from B-heavy molasses as it does not
increase pollution load.
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 All-Inclusive Current Affairs for Prelims 2021
Environment Class-6 Update (Feb-August)
CMS CoP-13:
CMS 1979 ❖ Feb 2020; Gandhinagar, India
Convention on Migratory Species ❖ Logo: Kollam (S. Indian art)
Bonn Convention ❖ Mascot: Gibi (page-32)
Important years: ❖ Theme: Migratory species
1979: Signed at Bonn, Germany connect the planet & together
1983: Entered into force; India signed we welcome them home
1985: First CoP, Bonn, Germany ❖ 10 new species added (7+3)
2020: 13th CoP, Gandhinagar, India ❖ Added to Appendix I:
Secretariat: Asian Elephant, Jaguar, GIB, Bengal Florican/Bustard, etc.
administered by? UNEP
❑ Appendix I: species threatened with extinction
Location? Bonn, Germany
❑ Appendix II: species that will benefit from
Nairobi, Kenya
international cooperation

CounterMEASURE: Japan and UNEP project

plastic pollution in sea/rivers in South-East
Asia & India, impact on migratory species, etc.

National Action Plan for Conservation

of Migratory Birds and their Habitats:
❑ It was launched by MoEFCC
❑ for period 2018-23
❑ for birds using Central Asian Flyway

CBD 1992
1992 Convention on Biological Diversity
❖ Secretariat in Montreal, Canada. (1) Conservation of biodiversity
❖ Followed by Cartagena (2000) (2) Sustainable use of it's components
and Nagoya (2010) protocols. (3) Fair and equitable sharing of benefits

2000 Cartagena Protocol for Biosafety 2010 Nagoya Protocol

❑ For safe handling, transport & use of ❑ fair and equitable sharing of
Living Modified Organism benefits arising out of the utilization
❑ Established Advance Informed of genetic resources (and associated
Agreement procedure traditional knowledge)
❑ Established Biosafety Clearing House ❑ Prior Informed Consent given by
provider to user
❑ Mutually Agreed Terms between
2010 Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol: both parties
❑ Adopted in 2010 at Nagoya; in force in 2018
❑ for liability related to Cartagena Protocol
❑ provides rules for liability in case of damage to
biodiversity due to transboundary movement of LMOs
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 See page-13. ➢ Montreal Protocol 1987 aimed to phase out
halogenated hydrocarbons having B & C
Kigali Amendment ➢ Instead used HFCs. But HFC are strong GHG.
➢ Hence came Kigali amendment 2016
Remember: What depletes ozone?
➢ Bromine & Chlorine are the real culprits.
➢ Fluorine is innocent.
Points from PIB article:
❑ India became a Party to the Montreal Protocol in 1992
❑ India has successfully met Montreal targets
❑ India HFC targets: reduction of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037,
30% in 2042 and 85% in 2047
❑ HFCs do not deplete the stratospheric ozone. But they
have high global warming potential 12 to 14,000 (12k-14k)

Wetlands See page-26.

Centre for Wetland Conservation & Management: Four new Ramsar sites: (42+4=46)
❑ est. in Feb 2021; under MoEFCC 1) Gujarat: Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
❑ Part of National Centre for Sustainable Coastal 2) Gujarat: Wadhvana Wetland
Management (NCSCM), Chennai 3) Haryana: Sultanpur National Park
4) Haryana: Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
Wetlands: 4.6% of land (15.26 mha) Haryana’s first Ramsar sites!
Source: PIB
Ramsar: 42 sites (1.08 mha) 46 sites Except Sultanpur, others are man-made

Chipko movement protest by people against felling of trees

1730: 1973:
➢ Jodhpur, Rajasthan; Bishnoi community; ➢ Reni village, Chamoli, Uttarakhand
➢ Raja Abhay Singh ordered felling of trees; ➢ Contractors felling trees; people protested
➢ Amrita Devi, etc. clung to Khejri trees; ➢ Sundalal Bhahuguna, Gaura Devi etc.
➢ Ban on tree felling ➢ 1980: Ban on tree felling

Earth Day:
Earth Overshoot Day → 22nd April
Environment day:
❑ By Global Footprint Network since 2006
→ 5th June
❑ 2020: 22 August; 2021: 29 July
❑ When man’s ecological footprint exceeds Earth’s biocapacity
❑ In a year when consumption > formation of natural resources
❑ Recent initiatives: #MoveTheDate, 100 days of possibility
Prelims 2014: Earth Hour:
Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’: ❑ By WWF; since 2007
1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO. ❑ Usually on last Saturday of March
2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off ❑ No non-essential lights 8:30-9:30 pm
the lights for one hour on a certain day every year.
3. It is a movement to raise the awareness about the Doomsday Clock: (since 1947)
climate change and the need to save the planet. ❑ show how close the world is to a
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? man-made global catastrophe.
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 ❑ e.g. nuclear risks, climate change
❑ By Bulletin of Atomic Scientists
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 Ecosystem Services

Prelims 2011: Prelims 2012:

Biodiversity forms the basis for human The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
existence in the following ways: describes the following major categories of
1. Soil formation ecosystem services provisioning, supporting,
2. Prevention of soil erosion regulating, preserving and cultural. Which
3. Recycling of waste one of the following is supporting service?
4. Pollination of crops (page-72) (a) Production of food and water
Select the correct answer from below (b) Control of climate and disease
(a) 1,2 and 3 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) Nutrient cycling and crop pollination
(c) 1 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only (d) Maintenance of diversity

Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES):

❑ beneficiaries of ecosystem services, pay
to those who conserve them.
❑ Based on 'beneficiary pays principle'
❑ India's first PES agreement:
❑ signed in 2010
❑ between Village Forest
Development Society (VFDS) and
Palampur Municipal Corporation
(Himachal).
❑ villagers get paid to protect the
catchment area.

Ecological Fiscal Transfers

Ecological Fiscal Transfers:
▪ Fiscal transfers from Centre to states (or state to local govt.), based on ecological indicators.
▪ They act as incentives for governments to perform better on environmental parameters.
Example:
▪ In 1990s, Brazil became first country to use EFTs for municipalities.
▪ Municipalities were compensated for land use restrictions imposed by protected areas.

EFT in India:
▪ 14th Finance Commission gave 7.5% weightage to Forest cover
▪ 15th Finance Commission gave 10% weightage to Forest & Ecology
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 Ecosystem Accounting

Natural capital accounting:

❑ Calculating stocks and flows
of natural capital.
❑ It may or may not be in
monetary terms.

❖ Car is capital: comfortable

transportation is the benefit
❖ Forest is capital: clean air
and water are the benefits

Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation

of the Ecosystem Services (NCAVES):
❑ by EU, UNEP, UN Stats Division, CBD
❑ Funded by EU
❑ for Brazil, Mexico, India, China, South Africa
❑ Implemented in India by MoSPI

Gross Environment Product: (some overlap with GDP) Green GDP:

❑ Value of ecosystem services in a country in a year ❑ Environmentally adjusted GDP
❑ measured in biophysical or monetary value ❑ Subtract biodiversity losses and
❑ Uttarakhand govt will measure state’s GEP costs attributed to climate change
Gross Domestic Happiness: Happy Planet Index:
Concept by Bhutan; non-economic well being also by New Economics Foundation (British think-tank)

CAMPA
Compensatory Afforestation: Green Credit Scheme:
❑ Forest land diverted ❑ FAC has advised Green Credit Scheme for CA
❑ Company pays 'Net Present Value’ ❑ Pvt. company, NGO, etc. will do afforestation
❑ Money goes to Compensatory Afforestation ❑ Company acquiring forest land will pay.
Fund (10% national, 90% state) ❑ Afforested land will get transferred to the
❑ State Forest Dept uses money for afforestation forest department.

2001: SC ordered est. of CAMPA Prelims 2019:

2006: Funds and CAMPA est. Consider the following statements:
1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund
Forest Advisory Committee: Management and Planning Authority exists at both
❑ under FC Act, 1980; MoEFCC National and State levels.
❑ It has bureaucrats as well as 2. People's participation is mandatory in compensatory
independent experts. afforestation programmes carried out under the
❑ It advises government on granting Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
forest clearances, diversion of Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
forest land for non-forest uses such (a) 1 only (b) 2 only
as mining, industrial projects, etc. (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
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 Social Cost of Carbon
Prelims 2020: Policy Political
Which one of the following statements best decision decision
describes the term ‘Social Cost of Carbon’? It is
a measure, in monetary value of Use of Use of
(a) long-term damage done by a tonne of CO2 “Fossil Fuels” “Us vs Them”
emissions in a given year. to generate strategy to win
(b) requirement of fossil fuels for a country to electricity elections
provide goods and services to its citizens,
based on the burning of those fuels. Climate Social
(c) Efforts put in by a climate refugee to change change
adapt to live in a new place.
(d) contribution of an individual person to the Society pays
carbon footprint on the planet Earth. in long term

Pollination
Pollination: transfer of pollen from male
part (stamen) to female part (stigma)

Self-pollination: Cross-pollination:
from same flower, from flower of
or another flower different plant (but
on the same plant same species)

Prelims 2012: Prelims 2017:

Consider the following kinds of Due to some reason, if there is a huge fall in population of
organisms: species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequences?
1. Bat 1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected.
2. Bee 2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections
3. Bird of some cultivated plants.
Which of the above are 3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species
pollinating agents? of wasps, spiders and birds.
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only Select the correct answer:
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (a) 1 only (b) 2,3 (c) 1,3 (d) 1,2,3
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 Renewable Energy
Update for page-41
IREDA: 1987, MNRE
➢ Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd
➢ Mini ratna PSU; Min. of New & Renewable Energy
➢ It is NBFC; finances renewable energy projects
Green deposits:
➢ FD money used to finance green projects

Battery Energy Storage System

Gigawat Club:
❑ unofficial group of countries
with more than 1 GW installed
solar capacity.
❑ More than 37
(2 from Africa, 9 may soon join)

Geothermal Energy:
❑ Thermal energy within the Earth
❑ It is renewable energy source of energy
❑ Source:
→ formation of earth;
→ radioactive decay;
❑ Applications: heat and electricity!
GSI has identified more than 300 potential sites:
Ladakh Puga & Chummathang
Himachal Pradesh Manikaran
Uttarakhand Tapoban
Haryana Sohana
Gujarat Cambay
Bihar Rajgir
Jharkhand Surajkund
Chhattisgarh Tattapani
Maharashtra Ratnagiri
Telangana Khammam

Food Systems Summit See page-42 for Sustainable agriculture.

Food Systems Summit: 10YFP

❑ 23rd September 2021; at UNGA ❑ 10-Year Framework of Programmes on
Sustainable Consumption & Production Patterns
FOLU ❑ adopted at Rio+20 (UN Conference on
❑ Food and Land Use Coalition Sustainable Development)
❑ Est. in 2017, at UNGA ❑ for sustainable lifestyle, buildings, tourism, food
❑ More than 60 members systems, etc.
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 River Linking Prelims 2016:
Recently, linking of which of the
Prelims 2006: following rivers was undertaken?
Recently UP and MP governments signed a MoU for linking (a) Cauvery and Tungabhadra
of two rivers as a link project. Which are these two rivers? (b) Godavari and Krishna
(a) Betwa and Chambal (b) Betwa and Ken (c) Mahanadi and Sone
(c) Chambal and Son (d) Ken and Narmada (d) Narmada and Tapti
National Perspective Plan:
Environmental issues:
❑ aka National River Linking Project
❑ It will submerge 6,000 ha of forest area
❑ identified 30 river linking projects
❑ Of this, 4,200 ha is core tiger habitat of
❑ two groups: Himalayan and Peninsular
Panna Tiger Reserve
❑ Ken-Betwa linking is its first project
Source: Jal Shakti Minister's LS reply
❑ Managed by NWDA:
→ National Water Development Agency
→ Est. in 1982; Ministry of Jal Shakti

Interlinking:
❑ transfer surplus from Ken to Betwa
❑ To irrigate drought-prone Bundelkhand
❑ Two dams Daudhan and Makodia and two barrages
Kesari and Barari are proposed under the project.

Water Plus city:

Indore is first water plus city under Swachh Survekshan (by MoHUA)
Conditions:
1) all wastewater must be treated before release into environment
2) all public toilets be cleaned and connected to sewers
3) 30% of sewer water must be recycled and reused.

Dams
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement
Programme (DRIP)
❑ Phase-1 → 2012-2021 → World Bank
❑ Phase-2&3 → 2021-2031 → WB and AIIB
❑ Dam Health And Rehabilitation Monitoring
Application (DHARMA): web portal for dam
related data.
❑ Large dams: > 5,000 (height > 15m)
❑ Maharashtra (1845) > MP (905) > Gujarat (666)
❑ Highest: Tehri dam - Uttarakhand - Bhagirathi
❑ Longest: Hirakud dam - Odisha - Mahanadi
❑ Oldest: Kallani dam - TN - Cauvery
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 Jal Jeevan Mission by 2024
Jal Jeevan Mission: Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban)
➢ Ministry of Jal Shakti ➢ Min. of Housing & Urban Affairs
➢ 55 litres/person/day ➢ in all 4,378 statutory towns
➢ through tap connections ➢ 2.68 crore tap and sewer
➢ to every rural household ➢ improve water quality, etc.
➢ for universal water supply

awareness
Jal Shakti Abhiyan campaigns
JSA-1: JSA-2: Catch the Rain
➢ For one month in 2019 ➢ For few months in 2021
➢ not pan India ➢ Pan India
Main goal: water conservation Traditional water
➢ rainwater harvesting conservation methods:
➢ renovate traditional water bodies ❖ Zabo - Nagaland
➢ reuse and recharge of bore wells ❖ Eri - TN
➢ watershed development ❖ Johad - Nothern plains
➢ intensive afforestation ❖ Ahar pynes - Bihar
❖ Bawari Rajasthan

Bhungroo system, Gujarat:

▪ Bhungroo: 'straw' or 'hollow pipe’
▪ Rain → water percolates underground
▪ Dry season → water extracted for irrigation

Floods and Border Areas

Flood Management and Border Areas
Programme (FMBAP):
❑ by merging the components of:
1) Flood Management Programme
2) River Management Activities & Works
related to Border Areas
Caution: the two schemes are not closed.

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 Tipping point
❑ A threshold that, when
exceeded, leads to large
and irreversible changes.
❑ May be increase of global
temperature of 1.5–2 °C
(2.7–3.6 °F) over pre-
industrial times

Climate Feedback Loops

Myth: Reality:
▪ Good things are positive feedback ▪ Things that strengthen the loop are positive feedback
▪ Bad things are negative feedback ▪ Things that weaken the loop are negative feedback

Poverty → school dropout → Poverty (school dropout is positive feedback)

Poverty → free quality education → Employment (free quality education is negative feedback)

Two examples of positive feedback

Warmer earth → melting of ice → Less reflection → Warmer earth
Warmer earth → warmer oceans → more evaporation → Warmer earth
❑ Water vapor is the largest contributor to Earth's greenhouse effect.
❑ Water vapor accounts for 60-70% of the greenhouse effect while CO2 accounts for 25%
Popular misconception
Warmer earth → warmer oceans → more evaporation → more clouds → more albedo → Cooler earth
Reasons: it is uncertain if cloud production will increase or decrease with warming; height of cloud
Earth heats up; Permafrost
emits more short melts
wave radiation
Negative Global Positive
feedback warming feedback
GHGs absorb Methane
less long wave released
radiation

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 Ecosystem restoration

Land Degradation: What is land desertification? [UNCCD] India:

➢ loss of productivity of land. a) degradation of land in dry areas ➢ 26 mha by 2030
Land Degradation Neutrality: b) gradual loss of soil productivity under
➢ quantity and quality of c) thinning out of vegetative cover Bonn challenge
land, to support ecosystem ➢ It’s 'not' natural expansion of deserts. (joined in Paris 2015)
services, remains stable or ➢ 30% of India's area is undergoing land ➢ Land Degradation
increases. degradation/desertification. Neutrality by 2030

2011 - 2020 2021 - 2030 Bonn challenge:

❑ UND on Biodiversity ❑ UND on Ecosystem Restoration Launched in 2011;
❑ UND for Deserts and fight ❑ UND of Ocean Science for by IUCN & Germany;
against Desertification Sustainable Development 350 mha by 2030

CoP-14 of UNCCD: Initiatives to restore

India hosted CoP-14 of UNCCD in September 2019. Key outcomes: degraded lands:
▪ Delhi Declaration: Countries will make SDG target of achieving
❑ 20x20 :
land degradation neutrality by 2030, their national targets.
Latin America;
▪ Peace Forest initiative: promote peace through land restoration
in post-conflict areas. 20 mha by 2020
▪ Drought Toolbox: a knowledge bank to help countries fight ❑ AFR100 :
drought effectively. Africa;
▪ International Coalition on Sand and Dust Storms: to improve 100 mha by 2030
monitoring and response to SDS. ❑ Bonn challenge:
(UNCCD is the only international legally binding framework to Globally
address desertification) 350 mha by 2030
Wasteland Atlas of India: Geochemical Baseline Atlas of India
❑ chemicals in top and bottom soil
❑ first published in 2000; 5th edition in 2019
❑ By National Geophysical Research Institute,
❑ By Ministry of Rural development Hyderabad (also Gravity map, seismic map)
❑ Major findings:
Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas:
→ 17% of India's area is wasteland. ❑ Space Application Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad
→ Wasteland area slightly decreased 2009-16 ❑ For 2003-18; degraded land increased
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 Benefits of restoring degraded lands?
➢ Prevent soil erosion; Carbon sequestration
➢ Groundwater recharge; Reduce flood impact
➢ Livelihood opportunities; Wildlife conservation

Forest Landscape Restoration

❑ in 5 states; by NAEB & IUCN

National Afforestation & Eco-Development Board:

➢ 1992; MoEFCC; afforestation, restoration, etc.

Joint Forest Management:

Social Forestry: ➢ state forest departments & local community
➢ forestry for social/rural development ➢ detailed in National Forest Policy of 1988

REDD and REDD+

REDD REDD+
❑ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation ❑ It is a climate change mitigation approach
and Forest Degradation ❑ It has been developed by parties to UNFCCC.
❑ It is a multilateral body ❑ It incentivizes developing countries to:
❑ It was formed by FAO, UNDP, UNEP ❑ Reduce emissions from deforestation,
❑ Formed in 2008 ❑ Reduce emissions from forest degradation,
❑ HQ: Geneva, Switzerland ❑ conserve forest carbon stocks,
❑ It helps developing countries implement ❑ enhance forest carbon stocks,
REDD+ ❑ sustainably manage forests.
Prelims 2016:
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
Forest-Plus Proper design and effective implementation of UN-
❑ Bilateral program between India and USA REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to
❑ USA helps India develop capacity in forest 1. protection of biodiversity
management, to benefit from REDD+ 2. resilience of forest ecosystems
❑ 2012 : Forest Plus 1.0 (for 5 years) 3. poverty reduction
❑ 2018 : Forest Plus 2.0 (for 5 years) Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1,2 (b) 3 (c) 2,3 (d) 1, 2, 3

Virtual water
Virtual water:
➢ Volume of water used to produce a product.
Virtual water exports:
➢ water embedded in exported goods
➢ water rendered unusable by
production of these goods
India: 8000 litres water 3000 litres water 11000 litres water
among the largest exporters 1 kg cotton 1 kg rice 11 homes/day
of virtual water.
Virtual water
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 Cloudburst

Cloudburst:
➢ moisture-rich air travels up the slope
➢ forms vertical column of Cumulonimbus clouds
➢ strong updraft may push raindrops higher
➢ large amount of water accumulates
➢ when updraft weakens, sudden rain
➢ IMD: 100 mm rain per hour
➢ usually in Himalayas during monsoon
➢ Reasons: cyclonic air, climate change, etc.

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 THC and AMOC
ThermoHaline Circulation THC:
➢ Driven by differences in density
➢ Density: temperature, salt content
➢ Has both vertical & horizontal movement
➢ Connects surface and deep oceans
➢ Helps in heat redistribution
Atlantic Meridional Overturning circulation
➢ AMOC is northern branch of THC.
➢ Gulf stream is part of it.
➢ AMOC is slowing down.
➢ Reasons: many, like, ice melt reducing salinity.
➢ Impacts: many, like, Europe will become
colder.

Water density increases at poles:

1) Water becomes cold → denser → sinks

Note: density of water is maximum at 4OC
2) Water forms ice, leaving salt behind
Salt → nearby water salty → denser → sinks

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 Turbidity current
➢ Rapid, downhill flow of
Continental
shelf water caused by increased
Loose sediment & density due to high
slope instability amounts of sediment.
➢ Reason: earthquakes,
Sediment and water flow Sediment collapsing slopes, other
deposit geological disturbances.
➢ Can change the physical
shape of the seafloor.

Scotia sea Fifth Ocean

Drake Southern Ocean:
passage ➢ recognised by National Geographic as fifth ocean.
➢ the only ocean ‘to touch three other oceans
➢ northern limit is a latitude of 60 degrees south.
➢ also defined by its Antarctic Circumpolar Current
➢ flows from west to east around Antarctica.
➢ Does not include Drake Passage and Scotia Sea

Oceans by size:
(PAISA) Pacific < Atlantic < Indian < Southern < Arctic

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 Arctic
Arctic Council: see page-2
➢ India has observer status since 2013
Arctic Science Ministerial:
➢ 2016 → 2018 → 2021 (Iceland/Japan)
➢ For research & cooperation in Arctic

Svalbard Treaty 1920: (✓ India)

➢ recognized Norwegian sovereignty

Norway is member of:

✓ European Economic Area
X European Union

Svalbard Global Seed Vault: (by Norway)

➢ (largest) backup facility for world's crop diversity
2nd largest? National Gene Bank, Delhi (1996)

Open cast mining

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 Plastic Waste See page-22.

Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021

by MoEFCC
Single Use Plastic:
❑ Ban from 1st July 2022; on items like:
❑ ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons,
plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene
[Thermocol] for decoration;
❑ plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons,
knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around
sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets,
plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.
❑ Exempts compostable plastic: degrades into soil
conditioning material (i.e. compost)

Minimum thickness of plastic carry bag: EPR: Implementing agency:

➢ 050 micron as per 2016 rules for effective implementation, CPCB & State PCBs will
➢ 075 micron from 30-09-2021 EPR guidelines have been monitor ban and
➢ 120 microns from 31-12-2022 given legal force. impose penalties

Organic Farming

Ministry of Ministry of Ministry of

Agriculture & Farmer Welfare Health and Family Welfare Commerce and Industry

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana Food Safety and Standards National Programme for
✓ Launched in 2015 Authority of India Organic Production (NPOP):
✓ part of SHM component of NMSA ✓ FSSAI issued FSS (Organic food) ✓ 3rd party certification
✓ 50 or more farmers to form a cluster Regulations, 2017 ✓ Standards for organic
of 50 acre land to take up organic ✓ It recognizes PGS and NPOP production are issued.
farming. certificates. ✓ Implemented by APEDA
✓ Each farmer to get Rs. 20,000 per ✓ It launched ✓ Certification bodies give
acre in three years. Jaivik Bharat logo certificates
for organic food. ✓ Recognized in USA, Europe
Participatory Guarantee System
✓ No 3rd party certification
✓ Collective responsibility to ensure Prelims 2018:
organic integrity of produce. With reference to organic farming in India, consider the
✓ Farmers assess, inspect and verify following statements:
the production practices of each 1. 'National Programme for Organic Production' (NPOP)
other is operated under the guidelines and directions of the
✓ Does not cover individual farmers or Union Ministry of Rural Development.
group of farmers smaller than five 2. 'Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export
members.
Development Authority' (APEDA) functions as the
✓ It gives every farmer individual
Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
certificates, and farmer is free to
3. Sikkim has become India's first fully organic State.
market his produce independent of
the group.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
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 Heat Dome:
➢ Recently, 47OC temperature were seen in Canada
Heat Dome ➢ Occurs when strong high-pressure atmospheric
conditions combine with weather patterns like La Niña.
Also see page-51. ➢ Warm western pacific; Cool eastern pacific
➢ Air rises in west; moves towards east; falls down.
➢ Prevents already rising hot air to rise.

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 Apparent movement of Sun
Zero shadow day:
❑ happens twice a year for locations between
+23.5 and -23.5 degrees of latitude.
❑ Date will vary for different locations on Earth.

Prelims 2019:
On 21st June the sun
(a) Does not set below the horizon at the Arctic circle
(b) Does not set below the horizon at Antarctic circle
(c) Shines vertically overhead at noon on the Equator
(d) Shines vertically overhead at the tropic of Capricorn

Rotation causes day & night

Revolution causes seasons

North long days, short nights

Arctic circle 6 months sunlight

South short days, long nights

Antarctic circle 6 months darkness

Sun shines vertically overhead at :

(a) Tropic of Cancer on 21st June
(b) Tropic of Capricorn on 22nd December
(c) Equator on 21st March & 23rd September

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 River Ganga
Prelims 1996: Prelims 2013:
Consider the following rivers: Consider the following pairs:
1. Kishenganga (JK) 2. Ganga (Utt) National Park River flowing
3. Wainganga (MP) 4. Penganga (Mh) 1. Corbett NP Ganga Ramganga
The correct sequence of these rivers 2. Kaziranga NP Manas Brahmaputra
when arranged in the north-south 3. Silent Valley NP Kaveri Kunthipuzha
direction is Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4 (b) 2, 1, 3, 4 (a) 1 and 2 (b) 3 only
(c) 2, 1, 4, 3 (d) 1, 2, 4, 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) None of these

Prelims 2014: Prelims 2016:

Consider the following statements: Which of the following are the key features of
1. Animal Welfare Board of India is ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’?
established under EPA 1986. 1. River basin is the unit of planning and
(PCA 1960) management.
2. National Tiger Conservation Authority 2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the
is a statutory body. (WPA 1972/2006) national level.
3. National Ganga River Basin Authority 3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through
is chaired by the Prime Minister. which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of
Which of the statements given above are NGRBA on rotation basis.
correct? Select the correct answer using the code given Below.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Important tributaries of Ganga:

Left: Ramganga, Garra, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Koshi, Mahananda
Right: Yamuna, Tamsa/Tons, Karamnasa, Son, Punpun, Falgu, Kiul, Chandan, Ajoy, Damodar, Rupnarayan
Ganga: 2525 km

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Ganga Basin:
(source: cwc.gov.in, nmcg.nic.in)
❖ drains an area of about 10 lakh sq. kms.
❖ India (80%), China, Nepal, Bangladesh
❖ 11 states: HP, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi,
Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, UP, Bihar,
Jharkhand, WB
Brief background:
❑ 1986: Ganga Action Plan
❑ 2009: NGRBA; under EPA 1986; Chaired by
PM; includes CMs of Ganga states;
declared Ganga as ‘National River’
❑ 2011: National Mission for Clean Ganga Five tier structure:
❑ 2014: Namami Gange Programme launched. ➢ National Ganga Council (PM, Ministers, CMs)
Nirmal dhara (unpolluted flow), Aviral ➢ Empowered Task Force (Jal Shakti Minister)
dhara (Continuous flow) ➢ National Mission for Clean Ganga (DG NMCG)
❑ 2016: NGRBA replaced by National Ganga ➢ State Ganga Committees
Council ➢ District Ganga Committees
Glacial Lake Atlas of Ganga River Basin:
❑ by Jal Shakti Ministry; under NHP Glacial Lake?
❑ 11 Sub-basins; biggset Kosi, smallest Kamla ❑ See page-48
❑ 9/14 highest peaks are in Ganga basin ❑ Moraine/Ice dam

National Hydrology Project:

❑ since 2016; Central Sector Scheme
❑ Ministry of Jal Shakti; World Bank support
❑ since 2009; by ISRO ❑ est. National Water informatics Centre as a
❑ Just like Google Earth repository of nation-wide water resources data
❑ India specific; Lots of information ❑ ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre is one
to help govt. in e-governance of the implementation agencies.

Miscellaneous
Sukhet model: Forum for Decarbonizing Transport:
❑ named after Sukhet village in Madhubani ➢ launched by NITI and WRI
❑ by Dr. Rajendra Prasad Agriculture University ➢ part of NDC-TIA (see page-8)
❑ Garbage/dung → compost → money → LPG cylinders

ESG reporting / Sustainability reporting: Triple Bottom Line

❑ Disclosing data on environmental, social and
governance impacts.
❑ Many benefits, like, shows financial risk due to
environmental or social practices.
❑ To be included under Business Responsibility and
Sustainability Reporting
❑ voluntary for FY 2021-22 and mandatory from
FY 2022-23 for the top 1,000 listed companies by
market capitalization
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 RUCO: Repurpose Used Cooking Oil: European Climate Law:
❑ In cooking oil, Total Polar ❑ By 2030: Europe to reduce net GHG emissions by
Compounds must be < 25% 55% (compared to 1990) (Fit for 55)
❑ Else, stop re-using cooking oil ❑ By 2050: Europe to become carbon neutral
❑ Use it to make bio-diesel ❑ Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism:
❑ RUCO is initiative of FSSAI ❑ Type of carbon border tax from 2026
(Trans-fats covered on Science pg-38) ❑ Tax on imported goods from countries with
(Biofuels on Environment pg-65) less strict climate policies.

Network for Greening Financial System:

➢ Est. in 2017; Secretariat in France
National Automobile Scrappage Policy:
➢ Group of 83 central banks
❑ 15 years: Commercial vehicles
➢ Climate change; Green finance, etc.
❑ 20 years: Private Vehicles
➢ India's RBI joined it recently
❑ Fitness test, costly re-registration.
❑ Incentives, discounts for scrapping. Blue Nature Alliance:
❑ for ocean conservation; launched in 2021
E3 Certification Scheme: ❑ by Conservation International, GEF, etc.
❑ Ministry of Power
GOBAR-DHAN scheme:
❑ Energy Efficiency Enterprise
❑ Ministry of Jal Shakti
❑ to accelerate brick sector modernization
❑ Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources
e.g. use of efficient technologies, etc.
❑ generate wealth & energy from cattle & organic waste
❑ e.g. cattle dung → biogas and manure
❑ part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)
SBM: ODF village and Waste mgmt

Carbon Watch:
❑ mobile app to assess individual carbon footprint
❑ recently launched by Chandigarh administration

DIWALI platform:
❑ Dutch Indian Water Alliance for Leadership Initiative
❑ India - Netherlands to cooperate on water challenges

Asia Environmental Enforcement Award:

❑ by UNEP; for govt agencies
❑ to combat transboundary environmental crime
❑ 2020 won by WCCB (2006; WPA 1972; MoEFCC)
❑ For operation Wildnet-II (wildlife trade on Internet)

LEAF Coalition:
➢ Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance
➢ Est. in 2021; by USA, UK, Norway, etc. (PPP)
➢ To mobile finances ($ 1b) to protect tropical forests

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Clean Energy Ministerial: India - US initiatives for clean energy:
❑ 12th CEM hosted by Chile (June 2021) ❑ Strategic Clean Energy Partnership
❑ 29 countries, including India ❑ Climate Action & Finance Mobilization Dialogue
❑ Est in 2009 at UNFCCC; Secretariat Paris ❑ Partnership to advance clean energy
❑ Global forum to promote clean energy
❑ UK India launched IDDI: Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles:
→ Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative ❑ launched in 2002 at Rio+10
→ coordinated by UN Industrial Dev. Org. World Summit on Sustainable Development
→ promote low carbon industrial materials ❑ Secretariat at UNEP Nairobi, Kenya

Lead Pollution Prelims 2012:

❑ Knocking in engines: Lead, ingested or inhaled, is a health hazard. After
→ reduces efficiency; can damage engine the addition of lead to petrol has been banned,
❑ Lead used to be added: what still are the sources of lead poisoning?
→ Boosts octane rating; but its toxic (a) Smelting units (b) Pens pencils
❑ India stopped adding lead (1994 - 2000) (c) Paints (d) Hair oils and cosmetics
❑ Algeria last country (July 2021) Select the correct answer:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1 and 3 only
Octane and Cetane numbers are about? (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Fuel quality (O → Petrol; C → Diesel)

Note:
❑ This completes Environment Current Affairs Course (May 2020 to August 2021)
❑ In First week of October, please download a concise PDF of protected areas,
species, etc. that were in news, from our website www.allinclusiveias.com

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 All-Inclusive Current Affairs for Prelims 2021
Environment Class-7 Update (Feb-August)

(Important) Places in news WS: Wildlife Sanctuary

NP: National Park
Just learn in which state it is

J&K: Changthang WS
➢ Srinagar: Largest
Tulip garden in Asia
➢ Jammu: Tawi river HP:
Protests against Jangi
thopan powari hydro
Haryana Ramsar sites: project on Satluj
Assam:
➢ Sultanpur NP ➢ Raimona NP 6th
➢ Bhindawas WS ➢ Dihing Patkai NP 7th
Sikkim:
➢ Pangolakha WS
➢ Luni river
➢ Ramgarh Vishdhari TR (52nd)
➢ Banas river lies completely
within Rajasthan
Gujarat: Meghalaya:
➢ Nal Sarovar Bird WS Nongkhyllem WS
➢ Banni grasslands ➢ Kuno NP
(Maldhari tribe) ➢ Kanha
➢ Shatrunjaya hills ➢ Bandavgarh
➢ National Maritime
Heritage Complex
will be made at ➢ Thane creek
Lothal Flamingo WS
New Ramsar sites: ➢ Lonar Lake Odisha:
➢ Thol Lake Wildlife ➢ Karlapat WS
Sanctuary ➢ Bhitarkanika NP/Ramsar
➢ Wadhvana Wetland ➢ Gahirmatha WS

Goa: Andhra Pradesh:

➢ Mollem NP ➢ Kolleru lake WS
➢ Bhagwan Mahavir WS ➢ Atapaka Bird Sanctuary
➢ Dudhsagar falls

Karnataka:
Mekedatu dam on Cauvery
river; opposed by TN
Tamil Nadu:
Srivilliputhur-Megamalai TR (51st)
Kerala:
Vembanad lake

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 Luni river Bhitarkanika National Park: Odisha
➢ largest river in Thar Desert ➢ 1998: NP; 2002: Ramsar
➢ Originates in Pushkar valley of the ➢ Gahirmatha is on east
Aravalli Range, near Ajmer ➢ 2nd largest mangrove ecosystem in India
➢ Inland drainage in Rann of Kutch ➢ Saltwater crocodile found here
Shatrunjaya hills: ➢ rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, Pathsala
➢ Bhavnagar Gujarat ➢ Brahmani from Jharkhand
➢ imp. in Jainism ➢ Baitarni from Odisha
➢ recent forest fire
Dudhsagar Falls: Karlapat WS Odisha
➢ in Bhagwan Mahaveer WS & Mollem NP ➢ Near to bauxite mines
➢ on Mandovi river in Goa (Mandovi ➢ Elephant corridor
dispute b/w Goa and Karnataka) ➢ 6 elephants died of Haemorrhagic
Septicaemia (bacterial disease)
Vembanad lake:
➢ Punnamada L; Kochi L Kolleru lake WS: Andhra
➢ longest lake in India ➢ freshwater lake, Ramsar site
➢ Nehru Trophy Boat Race (Vallam Kali) ➢ between Krishna Godavari
➢ 2nd largest Ramsar site ➢ has Atapaka Bird Sanctuary
➢ Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is on north
➢ Kuttanad is on south Srivilliputhur-Megamalai TR:
kuttanad: below sea level farming system ➢ India's 51st; TN's 5th
Vallam Kali is snake boat race in Kerala ➢ has Megamalai WS and
Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel WS
Biodiversity Heritage Site: ➢ Will help in saving Vaigai river
➢ Notified by States under Biodiversity Act, 2002
➢ There are 22 BHS in India (April 2021) Palakkad/Palghat Gap:
➢ http://nbaindia.org/content/106/29/1/bhs.html ➢ Between TN and Kerala

Crops suitable for hot and humid climate? Paddy and Jute.
Flood irrigation:
➢ uses lots of water
➢ causes salination of soil
➢ Salination: water evaporates, leaving behind salt. This
salt makes soil impermeable (can’t absorb water)
Micro-irrigation:
➢ drippers, sprinklers, foggers, etc.
➢ reduces water usage
➢ maintains soil health
➢ not the only method to conserve water

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 Page-60 Dead Zones:
➢ Eutrophication is due to excess
nutrients.
➢ They may come from rivers, farms,
cities, and even upwelling in the seas.

Page-80: THC and AMOC:

➢ Frozen lake has liquid water below it, why?
➢ Density of water is max at 4OC, so it sinks.

Page-84 Jet stream:

➢ moves eastwards at altitude 8-15 km
➢ can speed up aircrafts moving towards east
Q. Why aircrafts fly in lower stratosphere?
A. Almost no clouds / water vapour / vertical wind

Report Published by
Making Peace with Nature report UNEP
Food Waste Index UNEP
Protected Planet Report UNEP and IUCN
State of Finance for Nature Report UNEP and WEF
World’s Forgotten Fishes WWF
Global Energy Review International Energy Agency
Global EV Outlook International Energy Agency
World Energy Investment International Energy Agency
Renewables Integration in India International Energy Agency and NITI
Global Forest Goals Report UN Department of Economic & Social Affairs
Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Children's Climate Risk Index UNICEF
State of global climate report World Meteorological Organisation
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 Largest: Hemis
National Parks 106 Smallest: Fossil
Northernmost: Dachigam Floating: Keibul-Lamjao
Southernmost: Galathea Oldest: Corbett
Westernmost: Marine 105th : Raimona
City Forest (Salim Ali) Easternmost: Namdapha 106th : Dihing Patkai
Dachigam Hemis
Kazinag Dehing: river; Patkai: hill
Kishtwar Near to Digboi (oldest refinery of Asia)
Great Himalayan; Pin Valley; 1867: accidentally discovered
Khirganga; Inderkilla 1901: commissioned
Col. Sherjung Simbalbara
Corbett; Gangotri Assam:
Govind; Rajaji Raimona; Manas; Orang; Nameri
Kalesar Nanda Devi Kaziranga; Dibru-Saikhowa;
Sultanpur Valley of Flowers Dehing-Patkai Mouling
Namdapha
Desert Khangchendzonga
Keoladeo Ghana
Mukundra Hills Dudhwa
Intanki
Ranthambhore
Sariska Valmiki Balphakram
Nokrek Ridge Shiroi
Keibul-Lamjao
Gir
Marine Bandhavgarh; Dinosaur Fossils;
Vansda Fossil; Pench; Kanha; Kuno; Betla Murlen
Madhav; Panna; Sanjay; Buxa Phawngpui
Blackbuck Gorumara
(Velavadar) Satpura; Van Vihar (Blue Mountain)
Jaldapara
Neora Valley Tripura:
Bhitarkanika Singalila Clouded Leopard
Pench Simlipal Sunderban Bison (Rajbari)
Gugamal
Nawegaon
Tadoba Kasu Brahmananda Reddy
Sanjay Gandhi Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali
Chandoli Mrugavani

Mollem Papikonda
Anshi Rameswaram
Kudremukh Sri Venkateswara
Bannerghatta
Nagarahole Saddle Peak
Bandipur

Rani Jhansi Marine

Silent Valley Mahatama Gandhi Marine (Wandoor)
Guindy Mount Harriett
Anamudi Shola Mudumalai
Eravikulam Mukurthi
Mathikettan Shola Annamalai
Pambadum Shola Gulf of Mannar Marine
Periyar
Campbell Bay
Galathea Bay

Assam: R – MONK – DsDp

Raimona → Manas → Orang → Nameri → Kaziranga→ Dibru-Saikhowa → Dehing Patkai

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 Man and Biosphere
Biosphere Reserves Programme:
❑ 1971; UNESCO
❑ 714 Biosphere Res.
❑ 129 countries
❑ 12 from India
(Highlighted on map)

Caution:
➢ Nanda Devi peak is "not"
India's second highest peak.
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve: #1 Nepal: Everest
➢ UNESCO World Heritage site #2 India: K2
➢ has core areas as Nanda Devi NP #3 India: Kangchenjunga
and Valley of Flowers NP #9 India: Nanga Parbat
➢ lies b/w Zanskar & Great Himalaya …… few more
➢ Rishi ganga river flows through it #23 India: Nanda Devi
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 Tiger By NTCA and WII
Tiger Every 4 years since 2006
M-STrIPES → mobile app
Census
1411 → 1706 → 2226 → 2967
CaTRAT → AI software
Methods to estimate tiger numbers:
Madhya Pradesh most tigers
most increase stripes
Census pattern
2018
TR with most tigers: Corbett
TR with highest density: Corbett scat samples
TR without tiger: Buxa, WB pug marks
Dampa, Mizoram
Palamu, Jharkhand
Tiger reserves:
❑ 51 Megamalai TraMCA:
❑ 52 Ramgarh Vishdhari Transboundary Manas
❑ 2/3rd tigers Conservation Area
❑ No TR in: - Manas NP of Assam
J&K; HP; - Royal Manas NP of Bhutan Kazi-106F
Punjab; Haryana; Golden / Tabby / Strawberry tiger
Gujarat; Goa; Genetic defect; interbreeding
Sikkim; Meghalaya;
Tripura; Nagaland;
Manipur

NTCA:
WPA 1972 amended in 2006 to
convert "Project Tiger“ (1973)
into a statutory authority
❖ GTI Global Tiger Initiative
❖ GTRP Global Tiger Recovery Program
❖ TX2 Tiger times two (3200→7000 by 2022)
❖ CATS Conservation Assured Tiger Standards
❖ GTF Global Tiger Forum at Delhi (est. 1993)
❖ GSLEP Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem
Protection Program at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Secure 20 by 2020: secure at least 20 snow
leopard landscapes by 2020
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 Rivers, Dams

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 Ganga: 2525 km

Important tributaries of Ganga:

Left: Ramganga, Garra, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Koshi, Mahananda
Right: Yamuna, Tamsa/Tons, Karamnasa, Son, Punpun, Falgu, Kiul, Chandan, Ajoy, Damodar, Rupnarayan

Deserts: Fishing grounds:

Why deserts on western margins? Most important fishing grounds of the world
1. High pressure area (e.g. page-84) are found in the regions where warm and cold
2. Cold ocean currents (less moisture) oceanic currents mee.
Page-50 Coriolis force:
➢ Coriolis force in S. hemisphere is neither weaker, nor stronger, than that in N. hemisphere.
➢ Reason for Planetary winds to be stronger in southern hemisphere is less land (obstruction).
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 Mountain passes
Freshwater lakes:
Important passes: ➢ Dal Dal lake:
Jhelum
Zoji La → Great Himalayas ➢ Wular ➢ Srinagar, Jhelum river
Banihal → Pir Panjal Saltwater lakes: ➢ Jhelum in Kashmir is still in its
Photu La → Zaskar ➢ Pangong Tso youth stage and yet forms
Khardung La → Ladakh range ➢ Tso Moriri meanders (feature of mature stage)

Aghil
Durand line is between? Shaksgam
Pak-Afghan
Khyber pass
(Pak-Afghan) Burzil Karakoram
Photu La
Zoji La Lanak La
Pir Panjal Khardung Kepsang La
Gomal pass Banihal
Chang La
(Pak-Afghan) Charding La
Bara Lacha La Lmis La
Rohtang
Shipki La
Bolan pass
(Balochistan, Pak) Niti
Lipulekh

Nathu La Bomdi Brahmaputra takes u-turn due to

Jelep La syntaxal bending of Himalayas

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 Biodiversity Also see page-30.
Why are Himalayas rich in
biodiversity?
Because they are confluence zone
of different biogeographic zones.
(10 in India)

Which laws are relevant for

biodiversity conservation?
(mark all correct)
(even laws related to exports,
customs, mining, etc.)

Biodiversity is more in:

lower latitudes compared to higher latitudes
lower altitudes compared to higher altitudes

Blackbuck:
Hypnea Indica and Hypnea Bullata: ➢ IUCN: Least concern
two new seaweed species discovered ➢ aka Indian antelope
along India's coastline

Nacaduba sinhala ramaswamii Sadasivan:

new butterfly species in discovered
Agasthyamalai in TN
State animal of Andhra, Haryana, Punjab

Indian wild ass:

➢ IUCN: Near Threatened
➢ aka Ghudkhur, Khur or Indian onager
➢ Mostly in Wild Ass WS Gujarat, Rann of Kutch
➢ drastic population decline in 1960s due to
diseases like Surra and African Horse Sickness
➢ Also due to habitat destruction by humans and
invasive species like Prosopis Juliflora tree

Western Hoolock gibbon:

➢ IUCN: Endangered
➢ Found in Arunachal, Assam
➢ India has only western, not Easter HG
➢ The only Apes present in India
Ape vs monkey?
Apes don't have tail, are intelligent, use tools.

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No Ramsar sites in: No. Ramsar site State
Haryana
Jharkhand
Wetlands 16 Kolleru Lake Andhra P.
Chhattisgarh 8 Deepor Beel Assam
Telangana 12 Kabartal Wetland Bihar
Convention on Wetlands:
Karnataka 19 Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary Gujarat
Goa ❑ aka Ramsar Convention 6 Chandertal Wetland HP
Sikkim ❑ 1971; Ramsar, Iran 25 Pong Dam Lake HP
Arunachal ❑ only global environmental treaty 26 Renuka Wetland HP
Meghalaya 11 Hokera Wetland J&K
Nagaland for a particular ecosystem
Mizoram ❑ Wise use? Sustainable use 36 Surinsar-Mansar Lakes J&K
39 Tsomoriri Lake J&K
42 Wular Lake J&K
2 Asthamudi Wetland Kerala
34 Sasthamkotta Lake Kerala
41 Vembanad Kol Wetland Kerala
38 Tso Kar Wetland Complex Ladakh
18 Lonar Lake Maharashtra
20 Nandur Madhameshwar Maharashtra
17 Loktak Lake Manipur
5 Bhoj Wetlands MP
Asia's largest 4 Bhitarkanika Mangroves Odisha
brackish water 7 Chilka Lake Odisha
lagoon 3 Beas Conservation Reserve Punjab
Oldest (1981) 10 Harike Lake Punjab
- Chilika lake, Odisha 13 Kanjli Lake Punjab
- Keoladeo NP, Rajasthan 15 Keshopur-Miani Punjab
Smallest Renuka, HP 21 Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary Punjab
27 Ropar Lake Punjab
Largest Sunderban 14 Keoladeo Ghana NP Rajasthan
31 Sambhar Lake Rajasthan
24 Point Calimere Tamil Nadu
28 Rudrasagar Lake Tripura
22 Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary UP
23 Parvati Agra Bird Sanctuary UP
29 Saman Bird Sanctuary UP
Montreux record: (serious threat) 30 Samaspur Bird Sanctuary UP
32 Sandi Bird Sanctuary UP
1990 Keoladeo NP, Rajasthan 33 Sarsai Nawar Jheel UP
1993 Loktak Lake, Manipur 37 Sur Sarovar UP
40 Upper Ganga River UP
1993-2002 Chilika Lake 1 Asan Conservation Reserve Uttarakhand
9 East Kolkata Wetlands WB
35 Sunderbans Wetland WB

Four new Ramsar sites: (42+4=46)

1) Gujarat: Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
2) Gujarat: Wadhvana Wetland
3) Haryana: Sultanpur National Park
4) Haryana: Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
Haryana’s first Ramsar sites!
Except Sultanpur, others are man-made

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 Obviously not part of environment, but useful

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