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1.The primary objective of a wildlife sanctuary, as defined under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is to:
- APromote tourism
- BFacilitate commercial forestry
- CProtect and conserve wildlife and its habitat
- DEncourage agricultural expansion
Explanation
Section 26 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, states that the main purpose of a sanctuary is the protection of wildlife, its habitat and the environment, while allowing certain regulated activities.
2.During summer stratification of a temperate lake, the main source of CO₂ released to the atmosphere from the hypolimnion is:
- APhotosynthesis by phytoplankton
- BMethane oxidation
- CBacterial respiration in the hypolimnion
- DDiffusion from the atmosphere
Explanation
In the oxygen‑depleted hypolimnion, bacterial decomposition of organic matter generates CO₂, which later diffuses to the surface when mixing occurs.
3.Which national park is central to the "Project Elephant" corridor linking the Western Ghats to the Eastern Ghats?
- ABandipur National Park
- BMudumalai National Park
- CPanna National Park
- DDudhwa National Park
Explanation
Bandipur National Park, together with adjacent sanctuaries like Nagarhole, forms a critical segment of the proposed elephant corridor bridging the Western and Eastern Ghats.
4.The “paradox of the plankton” refers to:
- AThe coexistence of many plankton species while competing for a limited set of resources
- BThe inability of plankton to photosynthesise under low light
- CPlankton’s rapid evolution of resistance to pollutants
- DThe seasonal collapse of plankton blooms
Explanation
G. E. Hutchinson described the paradox: numerous plankton species coexist despite apparently limited, homogeneous resources, challenging the competitive exclusion principle.
5.What term describes a group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area?
- ACommunity
- BPopulation
- CEcosystem
- DBiosphere
Explanation
A population is defined as all the individuals of a single species that occupy a defined area and interbreed. A community includes multiple species, an ecosystem adds abiotic components, and the biosphere is the sum of all ecosystems on Earth.
6.In the context of waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies, which process operates at the lowest temperature and primarily produces biogas?
- AIncineration
- BPyrolysis
- CGasification
- DAnaerobic digestion
Explanation
Anaerobic digestion occurs at mesophilic (30‑38 °C) or thermophilic (50‑60 °C) conditions, much lower than the high‑temperature processes of incineration, pyrolysis, or gasification. It converts organic waste into biogas (methane + CO₂).
7.The "Project Tiger" initiative, launched in 1973, primarily focuses on the creation of which type of protected area?
- ATiger Reserves
- BWildlife Sanctuaries
- CNational Parks
- DCommunity Reserves
Explanation
Project Tiger led to the formation of dedicated Tiger Reserves, which are a combination of core and buffer zones designed specifically for the conservation of the tiger and its habitat.
8.Which of the following is a major limitation of incineration as a waste disposal method in Indian urban centers?
- AGeneration of large volumes of recyclable material
- BHigh capital cost and requirement of continuous waste supply
- CAbsence of any air emissions
- DComplete elimination of ash residues
Explanation
Incineration plants need substantial upfront investment, require a steady feed of waste, and produce fly ash and bottom ash that need safe disposal. Moreover, they emit pollutants (dioxins, furans) unless equipped with advanced pollution control.
9.Which species is most likely to be considered a keystone species in a coastal intertidal zone?
- ASeaweed (macroalgae)
- BBarnacle (Balanus spp.)
- CStarfish (Pisaster ochraceus)
- DMussel (Mytilus edulis)
Explanation
The starfish Pisaster ochraceus preys on mussels and maintains species diversity; its removal leads to mussel domination, exemplifying the keystone species concept.
10.Which national park's management plan incorporates the "Payment for Ecosystem Services" (PES) model to compensate local communities for forest carbon sequestration?
- ANamdapha National Park
- BSatpura National Park
- CSilent Valley National Park
- DNanda Devi National Park
Explanation
Satpura National Park's recent management plan includes a PES scheme where carbon credits generated from forest conservation are shared with adjoining villages.
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