UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 24)

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Each day, we will cover one new subject. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Environment, Geography, Science and Technology to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the Economy Quiz.

QUESTION 1

With reference to the groundwater, consider the following statements:

1. The total annual groundwater recharge for the entire country as of 2022 has decreased as compared to the last assessment of 2020.

2. The major source of groundwater recharge is through rivers.

3. The Annual Ground Water Extraction for irrigation, domestic and Industrial uses has increased.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 2

With reference to the Leptospirosis, consider the following statements:

1. It spreads through contaminated water.

2. The disease usually affects animals.

3. It can be treated with antibiotics.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 3

With reference to the Red Sanders, consider the following statements:

1. It is a fragrant variety of sandalwood that mostly grows in rocky, hilly regions.

2. This variety is found in Palakonda and Seshachalam hills.

3. It is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 4

The Lower Ambalipura Lake was in the news due to the deaths of thousands of fish. The lake is situated in:

(a) Karnataka

(b) Tamil Nadu

(c) Gujarat

(d) Maharashtra

QUESTION 5

Consider the following pairs:

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

ANSWERS TO THE MCQs

1. (d)

FYI:

— According to the latest groundwater assessment report released by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the annual groundwater extraction for irrigation, domestic and industrial uses has come down by about 6 billion cubic metres (bcm) to 239 bcm in 2022 from 2020.

— The report — National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources Of India, 2022 — said: “The total annual groundwater recharge for the entire country as of 2022 has increased by 1.29 bcm as compared to the last assessment (2020). Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— The Annual Ground Water Extraction for irrigation, domestic and Industrial uses has decreased by 5.76 bcm. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— The total annual extractable GW resources has increased by 0.56 bcm.

— About 87 per cent of total annual groundwater extraction i.e. 208.49 bcm is for irrigation use. Only 30.69 bcm is for domestic and industrial use, which is about 13 per cent of the total extraction.

— Major source of ground water recharge is the monsoon rainfall, which is 241.35 bcm and about 55 per cent of the total annual ground water recharge. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Other sources include canal seepage, return flow from irrigation, recharge from tanks, ponds and water conservation structures taken together is 39 per cent.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

2. (c)

FYI:

— Following heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued an advisory warning about leptospirosis, a bacterial disease.

— This disease usually affects animals and can spread to human beings if they are travelling through waterlogged areas. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.

— The leptospira, bacteria which is present in the excreta and urine of animals can infect human beings if they are exposed to it.

— The common symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, rash, body ache, and vomiting. This can be treated with antibiotics. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— However, if leptospirosis is left untreated, it can cause kidney damage and even prove to be fatal.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

3. (b)

FYI:

— The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 4.229 mega tonnes of red sanders, estimated to be worth Rs 3.4 crore, from a godown in Sanand on the Ahmedabad outskirts.

— Red Sanders, botanical name Pterocarpus santalinus, is a non-fragrant variety of sandalwood that mostly grows in rocky, hilly regions. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— Saplings reach 8 to 10 m in 3-4 years, but development thereafter declines. The trunks are narrow, and the tree’s magnificent, deep red wood takes at least 20-25 years to be useful.

— It is found in the thorny scrub/dry deciduous forests of the central Deccan, between 500 ft and 3000 ft. Geographically, in the Palakonda and Seshachalam hills and Nallamalla forests. Some contiguous patches in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka see some wild growth. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Red Sanders is a fast-disappearing species restricted to a tiny geographical area. Felling is illegal, export is highly restricted. Permission is required to fell and sell even trees in private farms.

— Red Sanders is a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

4. (a)

FYI:

— The Lower Ambalipura lake in Bengaluru’s HSR Layout is proof that joint efforts by the public can lead to a thriving and sustainable ecosystem around a water body. The deaths of thousands of fish have raised suspicions that untreated sewage is entering the lake.

— The seven-acre lake was restored by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike in 2008-09 at a cost of Rs 56 lakh. The lake was de-silted and excess vegetation was removed. It has a wetland that serves as a habitat for flora and fauna.

— Over 1,200 trees were counted in a tree census carried out at the lake. Four apartments surrounding the lake have installed sewage treatment plants, there is no possibility of leakage of untreated sewage from them.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

5. (a)

FYI:

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Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 24)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 24)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 23)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 23)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 23)

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