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Generate QuizEnvironment – GK Questions
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Which traditional fishing practice in Kerala uses bamboo structures to catch fish sustainably during monsoon?
- Trawling
- Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala)
- Dynamite fishing
- Bottom trawling
Answer: Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala)
These stationary lift nets, introduced centuries ago, allow selective fishing with minimal bycatch and are an example of traditional sustainable fishing technology.
The 'Van Panchayat' system in Uttarakhand represents a traditional form of community forest management.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Van Panchayats are village-level institutions that manage local forests for sustainable use of fodder, fuelwood, and minor forest produce, recognized under state law.
Which indigenous practice involves using neem leaves for grain storage to protect against pests?
- Chemical fumigation
- Traditional botanical pest management
- Genetic modification
- Irradiation
Answer: Traditional botanical pest management
Farmers traditionally use neem, turmeric, and other botanicals as natural pesticides for stored grains, reducing chemical use and preserving seed viability.
The 'Phad' irrigation system, a community-managed flood irrigation method, is traditionally practiced in the state of _____.
- Rajasthan
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Madhya Pradesh
Answer: Maharashtra
The Phad system in north Maharashtra diverts river water through canals to irrigate fields in a rotational manner, managed by local water user groups.
Which traditional practice involves leaving fields fallow and rotating crops to maintain soil fertility?
- Shifting cultivation
- Crop rotation and fallowing
- Monoculture
- Hydroponics
Answer: Crop rotation and fallowing
Traditional farmers use crop rotation and fallow periods to restore soil nutrients naturally, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.
The 'Kuhl' irrigation system of Himachal Pradesh is a community-managed traditional water channel system for agriculture.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Kuhls are gravity-fed channels that divert water from rivers to fields, managed collectively by villages, representing sustainable traditional water governance.
Which traditional water harvesting structure, known as 'Zabo' system, is practiced in which Indian state?
- Rajasthan - Johad
- Nagaland - Zabo
- Tamil Nadu - Eri
- Uttarakhand - Naula
Answer: Nagaland - Zabo
The Zabo system of Nagaland integrates water conservation, forestry, and agriculture by channeling rainwater from hilltops to terraced fields and ponds.
The 'Sacred Groves' tradition in India, where patches of forest are protected for religious and cultural reasons, is known as '_____' in Kerala.
- Devrai
- Kavu
- Oran
- Sarna
Answer: Kavu
Sacred groves, called Kavu in Kerala, Devrai in Maharashtra, and Sarna in Jharkhand, serve as biodiversity refuges and preserve traditional conservation ethics.
The 'Bishnoi' community of Rajasthan is renowned for their centuries-old tradition of protecting trees and wildlife.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Founded by Guru Jambheshwar in the 15th century, Bishnois follow 29 principles including strict conservation of flora and fauna, exemplified by the Khejarli sacrifice.
Which indigenous community in India is known for the 'Apatani' traditional agricultural system that integrates rice-fish cultivation in Ziro Valley?
- Naga tribes
- Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh
- Bodo tribe of Assam
- Santhal tribe of Jharkhand
Answer: Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh
The Apatani wet rice cultivation system, recognized by FAO as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), sustainably integrates fish farming with paddy fields.
Which case led to the ban on mining activities in the Aravalli range to protect ecological balance?
- T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India
- M.C. Mehta vs Union of India (Aravalli Mining Case)
- Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs Union of India
- Narmada Bachao Andolan vs Union of India
Answer: M.C. Mehta vs Union of India (Aravalli Mining Case)
The Supreme Court restricted mining in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli hills of Haryana and Rajasthan to prevent deforestation, soil erosion, and water depletion.
The 'Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action vs Union of India' case (1996) dealt with pollution from chemical industries in Rajasthan and established liability for environmental damage.
- True
- False
Answer: True
This case addressed groundwater contamination by chemical units in Bichhri, Rajasthan, and reinforced the Polluter Pays Principle for remediation costs.
Which case is associated with the judicial recognition of the 'Right to Clean Environment' as part of the Right to Life under Article 21?
- Subhash Kumar vs State of Bihar
- M.C. Mehta vs Union of India
- Both A and B
- Neither A nor B
Answer: Both A and B
In Subhash Kumar (1991) and multiple M.C. Mehta cases, the Supreme Court interpreted Article 21 to include the right to pollution-free air and water as fundamental to life.
The 'S. Jagannath vs Union of India' case (1997) dealt with the environmental impacts of _____ farming and led to regulations in coastal areas.
- Organic
- Shrimp/Prawn
- Hydroponic
- Aquaponic
Answer: Shrimp/Prawn
The Supreme Court restricted intensive shrimp farming in coastal ecologically sensitive areas, emphasizing the need to balance economic activities with environmental protection.
Which case dealt with the issue of noise pollution from firecrackers and established guidelines for their use?
- Forum for People's Collective Efforts vs State of West Bengal
- Noise Pollution (V) vs Union of India
- M.C. Mehta vs Union of India
- S. Jagannath vs Union of India
Answer: Noise Pollution (V) vs Union of India
In this 2005 case, the Supreme Court laid down comprehensive guidelines regulating the manufacture, sale, and use of firecrackers to control noise and air pollution.
The 'M.C. Mehta vs Union of India (Taj Trapezium Case)' led to measures for protecting the Taj Mahal from air pollution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The Supreme Court ordered industries in the Taj Trapezium Zone to switch to cleaner fuels or relocate, and mandated use of CNG for vehicles to prevent acid rain damage to the monument.
Which case established the principle that 'Sustainable Development' is part of Indian law under Article 21?
- Subhash Kumar vs State of Bihar
- Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs Union of India
- M.C. Mehta vs Kamal Nath
- Narmada Bachao Andolan vs Union of India
Answer: Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs Union of India
In this 1996 case, the Supreme Court explicitly recognized Sustainable Development, Precautionary Principle, and Polluter Pays Principle as part of Indian environmental law.
The 'Dehradun Quarrying Case' (Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra vs State of Uttar Pradesh) is considered India's first _____ case.
- Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on environmental issues
- Criminal environmental case
- International environmental arbitration
- Corporate environmental liability case
Answer: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on environmental issues
This 1985 case marked the beginning of environmental PILs in India, leading to the closure of limestone quarries in the Doon Valley to protect ecological balance.
The 'T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India' case led to continuous Supreme Court monitoring of forest conservation in India.
- True
- False
Answer: True
This ongoing case since 1996 has resulted in significant judicial interventions for forest protection, including definitions of 'forest' and regulation of forest land diversion.
In which landmark case did the Supreme Court of India introduce the concept of 'Absolute Liability' for hazardous industries?
- M.C. Mehta vs Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak Case)
- Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs Union of India
- T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India
- Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action vs Union of India
Answer: M.C. Mehta vs Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak Case)
In the 1987 Oleum Gas Leak case, the Supreme Court held that enterprises engaged in hazardous activities have absolute liability for any harm caused, without exceptions.