UPSC 2015 Environment and Ecology Questions with Answers
14 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Environment and Ecology in the UPSC 2015 Prelims. Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 11–14 of 14 questions
Browse Environment and Ecology chapters
UPSC 2015Environment and Ecology · Species
Q11. With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a herbivorous marine animal. 2. It is found along the entire coast of India. 3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Dugongs, or "sea cows," are marine mammals that graze on seagrasses in shallow coastal waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. As the only herbivorous mammal living exclusively in the sea, including in India, dugongs are crucial for maintaining healthy seagrass ecosystems, which support marine biodiversity.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The dugong is not found along the entire coast of India. It is mainly found in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and in the waters of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The species has a restricted distribution and is not widespread along India’s entire coastline..
Statement 3 is correct: The dugong is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides it with the highest level of protection in India. As a protected species, hunting, poaching, or harm to the dugong is illegal.
UPSC 2015Environment and Ecology · Species
Q12. Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?
Explanation
The Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus) is India’s National Aquatic Animal. It is native to the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems, which span Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. Endemic to the Indian subcontinent, the Gangetic dolphin belongs to the Platanistidae family and is one of only four freshwater dolphin species globally. Recognized by its triangular dorsal fin and long, slender beak, this stocky, gray or brown dolphin can grow up to 2.5 meters. Adapted to murky freshwater environments, it uses echolocation to navigate and is locally known as ‘susu.’
UPSC 2015Environment and Ecology · Miscellaneous
Q13. With reference to Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society and indigenous peoples. 2. It provides financial aid to universities, individual scientists and institutions involved in scientific forestry research to develop eco-friendly and climate adaptation technologies for sustainable forest management. 3. It assists the countries in their ’REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+)’ efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) is a global partnership that includes governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and indigenous peoples. It was established to support efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+).
Statement 2 is incorrect: The FCPF does not provide financial aid to universities, individual scientists, or institutions for scientific forestry research. Instead, it focuses on providing financial and technical assistance to countries for REDD+ readiness and implementation. The FCPF supports REDD+ efforts through two separate but complementary funds-The FCPF Readiness Fund and The FCPF Carbon Fund.
Statement 3 is correct: The FCPF assists countries in their REDD+ efforts by providing financial and technical assistance. This includes helping countries prepare for REDD+ implementation, develop national strategies, and build capacity for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of forest carbon emissions.
UPSC 2015Environment and Ecology · Miscellaneous
Q14. BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes’ is managed by the:
Explanation
The BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (ISFL) is managed by the World Bank. This initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, promoting sustainable land-use practices. It seeks to promote reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the land sector, from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+), and from sustainable agriculture, as well as smarter land-use planning, policies and practices.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
11
2015
(c) 1 and 3
12
2015
(c) Gangetic dolphin
13
2015
(c) 1 and 3 only
14
2015
(d) World Bank
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Environment and Ecology?
This page covers 14 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Environment and Ecology in the UPSC 2015 Prelims, asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Environment and Ecology?
Questions on Environment and Ecology in the UPSC 2015 Prelims are available for 22 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
