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The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) in India reviews EIA reports and recommends environmental clearance to the _____.
- Supreme Court
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- State Legislature
- National Green Tribunal
Answer: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
EACs, constituted by MoEFCC, appraise projects and advise the regulatory authority on granting or rejecting environmental clearance.
In the EIA process, 'scoping' refers to:
- Final approval of the project
- Identifying key environmental issues and setting terms of reference for the EIA study
- Conducting the public hearing
- Monitoring post-project impacts
Answer: Identifying key environmental issues and setting terms of reference for the EIA study
Scoping determines the scope and depth of the EIA, ensuring focus on significant impacts and efficient use of resources.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is applied at the policy, plan, or programme level rather than individual projects.
- True
- False
Answer: True
SEA integrates environmental considerations into higher-level decision-making, complementing project-level EIA for sustainable development.
Public hearing is a mandatory component of the Environmental Impact Assessment process for most Category A projects in India.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Public consultation, including public hearings, allows affected communities to voice concerns and is required for most large projects under EIA rules.
In India, Environmental Clearance (EC) under the EIA Notification, 2006 is mandatory for which category of projects?
- All small-scale industries
- Projects listed in the Schedule with specified thresholds
- Only nuclear power projects
- Only mining projects
Answer: Projects listed in the Schedule with specified thresholds
The EIA Notification 2006 lists 39+ project categories requiring EC based on scale, location, and potential environmental impact.
Which of the following is a major indicator of soil health?
- Soil color only
- Organic matter content and microbial activity
- Soil depth only
- Rock content
Answer: Organic matter content and microbial activity
Soil organic matter and microbial diversity indicate fertility, structure, nutrient cycling capacity, and overall ecosystem health.
Which of the following is a technique to prevent wind erosion in arid regions?
- Terracing
- Windbreaks or shelterbelts
- Contour bunding
- Subsoiling
Answer: Windbreaks or shelterbelts
Planting rows of trees or shrubs as windbreaks reduces wind speed at ground level, minimizing soil particle displacement by wind.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was adopted in _____ in response to global land degradation concerns.
- 1992
- 1994
- 1997
- 2000
Answer: 1994
UNCCD was adopted in Paris in 1994 and entered into force in 1996, focusing on combating desertification and mitigating drought effects.
Salinization of soil occurs primarily due to excessive irrigation in arid regions without proper drainage.
- True
- False
Answer: True
In arid areas, evaporation concentrates salts in the root zone; poor drainage prevents salt leaching, leading to soil salinization and reduced fertility.
The process of land becoming desert-like due to human activities and climate change is called _____.
- Deforestation
- Desertification
- Salinization
- Erosion
Answer: Desertification
Desertification is land degradation in drylands resulting from various factors including climate variability and unsustainable land use.
Which of the following is a major cause of soil erosion in India?
- Afforestation
- Deforestation and overgrazing
- Organic farming
- Crop rotation
Answer: Deforestation and overgrazing
Removal of vegetation cover by deforestation and overgrazing exposes soil to wind and water, accelerating erosion and land degradation.
Which of the following is a method of in-situ water conservation in agriculture?
- Drip irrigation
- Contour bunding
- Sprinkler irrigation
- Flood irrigation
Answer: Contour bunding
Contour bunding involves building embankments along contours to reduce runoff, conserve soil moisture, and prevent erosion on slopes.
Which of the following is a characteristic of an oligotrophic lake?
- High nutrient levels and algal blooms
- Low nutrient levels and clear water
- High turbidity and low oxygen
- Eutrophic conditions with fish kills
Answer: Low nutrient levels and clear water
Oligotrophic lakes have low productivity, clear water, and high oxygen levels, contrasting with nutrient-rich eutrophic lakes.
The 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan' launched by the Government of India focuses on _____ conservation and management.
- Forest
- Water
- Soil
- Energy
Answer: Water
Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a time-bound campaign for water conservation, including rainwater harvesting, rejuvenation of water bodies, and reuse.
The term 'Virtual Water' refers to the hidden flow of water embedded in the production and trade of goods and services.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Virtual water represents the water used to produce commodities; trading such goods effectively transfers water resources between regions.
The process of removing salt from seawater to make it suitable for human consumption is called _____.
- Filtration
- Distillation
- Desalination
- Purification
Answer: Desalination
Desalination uses methods like reverse osmosis or distillation to remove salts from seawater, providing freshwater in water-scarce regions.
Which of the following is a traditional water harvesting structure used in Rajasthan?
- Check dam
- Johad
- Percolation tank
- Contour bunding
Answer: Johad
Johads are earthen check dams that capture rainwater, recharge groundwater, and have been traditionally used in Rajasthan for water conservation.
Which human activity has most significantly altered the global nitrogen cycle?
- Deforestation
- Use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers
- Urbanization
- Mining
Answer: Use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers
The Haber-Bosch process for producing ammonia fertilizers has doubled the rate of nitrogen fixation, causing eutrophication and other environmental issues.
The sulfur cycle involves both atmospheric and sedimentary components.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Sulfur cycles through the atmosphere as SO2 from volcanoes and combustion, and through rocks and oceans as sulfates and sulfides.
The largest reservoir of carbon on Earth is the _____.
- Atmosphere
- Forests
- Oceans
- Fossil fuels
Answer: Oceans
Oceans store about 38,000 gigatons of carbon, primarily as dissolved inorganic carbon, making them the largest active carbon reservoir.