Environmental Science Theory Into Practice-II Most Important Questions with Answer B.A Programme Sem-4 in English Medium

Q-State whether true or false: 

(a) The Royal Bengal tiger is endemic to India.

(b) Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty aimed to reduce the emission of gases that contribute to global warming.

(c) Silent Valley movement took place in Uttarakhand.

(d) Wildlife Protection Act came into existence in the year 1972.

(e) Ozone layer is situated in the mesosphere layer of atmosphere.

a) The Royal Bengal tiger is endemic to India.

True – 

The Royal Bengal tiger is primarily found in India and is considered endemic to the Indian subcontinent.

b) Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty aimed to reduce the emission of gases that contribute to global warming.

True – 

The Kyoto Protocol is indeed an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

c) Silent Valley movement took place in Uttarakhand.

False – 

The Silent Valley movement took place in Kerala, not Uttarakhand.

d) Wildlife Protection Act came into existence in  the year 1972.

True – 

The Wildlife Protection Act was enacted in India in 1972.

e) Ozone layer is situated in the mesosphere layer of atmosphere.

False – 

The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere, not the mesosphere.

Fill in the blanks:

(i) The Great Indian Bustard has been listed as _____________ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Critically Endangered

(ii) Acid rain is caused by the release of ________ and ________ into the atmosphere.

sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ)

(iii) __________ is the drug that was responsible for large scale death of vultures in the Indian subcontinent.

Diclofenac

(iv) ____________________ is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases released by various activities of an individual or entity.

Carbon footprint

(v) __________ Convention is an international treaty for the protection of wetlands.

Ramsar

Differentiate between the following

(a) National Green Tribunal and National Green Corps

(b) Biosphere Reserve and Biodiversity Hotspot

(c) In-situ conservation and Ex-situ conservation

Write short notes on the following

(a) Levels of Biodiversity

(b) Impact of Global Warming on Agriculture Sector

(c) Impact of Ozone Layer Depletion

(a) Levels of Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth. It exists at three main levels:

• Genetic Diversity – Variation of genes within a species. It helps in adaptation and survival (e.g., different breeds of dogs or varieties of rice).

• Species Diversity – Variety of species within a region (e.g., lions, deer, peacocks).

• Ecosystem Diversity – Different types of ecosystems like forests, deserts, wetlands, etc., each supporting distinct communities of life.

(b) Impact of Global Warming on Agriculture Sector

Global warming severely affects agriculture through:

• Reduced Crop Yields – High temperatures stress crops and reduce productivity.

• Water Scarcity – Altered rainfall patterns lead to droughts and reduced irrigation.

• Increased Pests & Diseases – Warmer climates favor the spread of pests and crop diseases.

• Soil Degradation – Extreme weather affects soil quality and fertility.

• Food Security Risks – Overall impact leads to reduced food availability and increased prices.

(c) Impact of Ozone Layer Depletion

The ozone layer protects life on Earth by blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

Effects of its depletion include:

• Increased UV Exposure – Causes skin cancer, cataracts, and weakens immunity in humans.

• Harm to Plants – UV rays can reduce photosynthesis, harming crops and forests.

• Aquatic Life Damage – UV affects plankton, the base of aquatic food chains.

• Climate Effects – Interacts with global warming processes and atmospheric circulation.

India is one of the seventeen megadiversity nations globally. Substantiate this statement giving appropriate reasons and examples.

India is recognized as one of the 17 megadiverse countries of the world due to its exceptional levels of biodiversity.

Species Richness:

• India is home to over 91,000 species of animals and more than 47,000 species of plants.

• It harbors about 7-8% of the world’s recorded species, despite occupying only 2.4% of the Earth's land area.

Diverse Ecosystems:

• Includes forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, mountains, coastlines, and islands.

• Examples: Himalayas, Western Ghats, Sundarbans, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

High Endemism:

• A large number of species found in India are endemic, i.e., found nowhere else.

• Example: Lion-tailed macaque (Western Ghats), Nilgiri tahr, and Great Indian Bustard.

Four Biodiversity Hotspots:

India is home to four of the world’s biodiversity hotspots:

• Himalayas

• Western Ghats

• Indo-Burma

• Sundaland (Nicobar Islands)

Cultural and Religious Traditions:

Indian traditions promote biodiversity protection through practices like sacred groves and reverence for animals like cows, snakes, and peacocks.

What are the criteria for any region to be declared as a Biodiversity Hotspot?

A region must meet two specific criteria to be designated as a Biodiversity Hotspot (as defined by Conservation International):

High Endemism:

The area must have at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics, i.e., species that are found only in that region and nowhere else in the world.

Significant Habitat Loss:

The region must have lost at least 70% of its original native vegetation or natural habitat.

Human population explosion is causing severe resource depletion and environmental degradation. Justify the statement with examples.

• The human population explosion means a very fast increase in the number of people on Earth.

• More people need more resources like food, water, energy, land, and housing. 

• This puts a huge pressure on nature, leading to resource depletion (using up resources) and environmental degradation (damage to the environment).

Resource Depletion:

Deforestation:

• Trees are cut for wood, farming, and building houses and cities.

• This reduces forests, which are important for oxygen, wildlife, and rainfall.

• Example: Amazon forests and Indian forests like in Madhya Pradesh are being cleared.

Water Crisis:

• More people need water for drinking, farming, and industries.

• Groundwater is overused, and rivers are drying up.

• Example: Chennai and Bengaluru have faced serious water shortages.

Fossil Fuel Exhaustion:

• Petrol, diesel, coal, and gas are used in huge amounts for transport and electricity.

• These resources are non-renewable and are getting used up fast.

• Example: Rising petrol prices and energy shortages.

Environmental Degradation:

Air Pollution:

• More vehicles and industries release harmful gases like CO₂ and smoke.

• This causes diseases and global warming.

• Example: Delhi often has dangerous air quality in winter.

Water Pollution:

• Waste from homes and factories is dumped into rivers and lakes.

• This kills fish and spreads diseases.

• Example: Pollution of Ganga and Yamuna rivers.

Soil Degradation:

• Overuse of land and chemical fertilizers reduces soil fertility.

• Farming becomes difficult in the long term.

Loss of Biodiversity:

• Natural habitats are destroyed for buildings and roads.

• Many animal and plant species are now endangered or extinct.

• Example: Great Indian Bustard and Bengal Tiger are at risk.