UPSC 2017 Environment and Ecology Questions with Answers
15 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Environment and Ecology in the UPSC 2017 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 1–10 of 15 questions
Browse Environment and Ecology chapters
UPSC 2017Environment and Ecology · Ecology, Ecosystem and Functions of Ecosystem
Q1. The term ‘M-STrIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
Explanation
MSTrIPES stands for Monitoring system for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status.M-STrIPES was launched in 2010 by NTCA and WII across Indian tiger reserves. It is a software-based monitoring system, designed to assist wild-life protection. The system consists of two components:
Field based methods for ecological monitoring, law enforcement, recording wildlife offences, and patrolling. A specialised GIS application for reporting, analysis, and data storage. Forest guards are required to use a GPS to track their movements as part of MSTrIPES, in addition to entering their observations on site-specific data sheets.
UPSC 2017Environment and Ecology · Biodiversity
Q2. Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences? 1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected. 2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants. 3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds. Select the correct using the code given below:
Explanation
Transfer of pollen grains (shed from the anther) to the stigma of a pistil is termed pollination. Flowering plants have evolved an amazing array of adaptations to achieve pollination. Depending on the source of pollen, pollination is divided into three types, i. e. Autogamy, Geitonogamy and Xenogamy.
Statement 1 is correct: Butterflies are important pollinators for many flowering plants. Plant species particularly those that produce brightly colored, scented flowers with deep nectar tubes are adapted to butterfly pollination. A drastic fall in butterfly populations would result in reduced pollination, affecting plant reproduction and possibly leading to a decline in the population of such plant species.
Statement 2 is incorrect: There is no direct link between butterfly populations and fungal infections in cultivated plants. Fungal infections are influenced by factors like humidity, temperature, plant health, and soil conditions rather than by the presence or absence of butterflies.
Statement 3 is correct: Butterflies form a crucial part of the food chain, serving as prey for birds, wasps, spiders, and other insectivores. Many species of small birds (e.g., flycatch-ers, warblers, bee-eaters) depend on butterflies and their larvae (caterpillars) as a major food source. If butterfly populations decline then predators depending on them may suffer a population decline.
Exam tip:
S1 and S3 contains "some" and "Some" = possibility logic, not absolute. If even one species of organism does something, the statement is likely correct. While S2 contains an exaggerated phrase, "Drastic Increase", which is too hard to prove and more probable to be false.
UPSC 2017Environment and Ecology · Agriculture and Environment
Q3. Which of the following statements can help in water conservation in agriculture? 1. Reduced or zero tillage of the land 2. Applying gypsum before irrigating the field 3. Allowing crop residue to remain in the field Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Efficient water use in agriculture refers to practices and techniques that aim to maximize the productivity of crops while minimizing water consumption. It involves employing methods such as capturing and storing water and drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the plant roots, reducing losses due to evaporation or runoff. Statements 1 and 3 are correct: Conservation Tillage includes no-till farming or zero tillage which is a way of growing crops or pasture from year to year without disturbing the soil through tillage. Zero tillage helps in soil moisture conservation. Crop residues act as mulches and reduce evaporation losses and protect the soil from direct impact of raindrops, thus controlling crusting and sealing processes.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Though, Gypsum helps in dissolution of the salt clay pan found in soils that hinder the percolation of water and helps in water conservation.
UPSC 2017Environment and Ecology · Pollution
Q4. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for:
Explanation
BOD measures the amount of dissolved oxygen required by microorganisms to break down organic material in water over a specific time. BOD is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by bacteria in decomposing the organic wastes present in water. It is measured in milligrammes per litre of water of oxygen. The higher value of BOD indicates low (Dissolved Oxygen) DO content of water. BOD is not a reliable method for assessing water pollution because it only includes biodegradable elements.
Additional insight:
Standard Method 5210B is the most widely used method for determining Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD). It measures the difference in dissolved oxygen (DO) over a five-day incubation period at 20°C. The initial DO is recorded, and after incubation, the final DO is measured. The BOD value is then calculated based on oxygen depletion. Higher BOD indicates poor water quality due to higher oxygen demand, while lower BOD suggests purer water with less oxygen consumption. DO levels are lower in summer as warm water holds less oxygen.
UPSC 2017Environment and Ecology · Pollution
Q5. In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation techniques? 1. It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature. 2. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms. 3. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Bioremediation is a branch of biotechnology that employs the use of living organisms in the removal of contaminants, pollutants, and toxins from soil, water, and other environments. These organisms can include microbes and bacteria. As a result, compared to other cleanup techniques, bioremediation causes less disruption to the neighbourhood communities.
Statement 1 is correct: Bioremediation uses naturally occurring organisms to break down hazardous substances into less toxic or non-toxic substances.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Not all contaminants are easily treated by bioremediation using microorganisms. For eg. Heavy metals such as cadmium and lead are not readily absorbed or captured by microorganisms.
Statement 3 is correct: The use of genetic engineering to create organisms specifically designed for bioremediation has great potential. For e.g. Alcanivorax, a bacteria with oil-eating abilities, can be used to create species that are much more capable of cleaning oil spills.
Additional insight:
Types of Bioremediation:
Aerobic Bioremediation: Requires oxygen for microbial reactions, where bacteria use a carbon substrate as an electron donor and oxygen as the electron acceptor to break down contaminants. Anaerobic Bioremediation: Occurs in the absence of oxygen, using alternatives like nitrate, sulfate, or carbon dioxide as electron acceptors. Processes include fermentation, methanogenesis, and reductive dechlorination to degrade pollutants. Cometabolic Bioremediation: Microbes degrade contaminants without gaining energy or carbon from them, breaking down pollutants as a side reaction while metabolizing other substances.
Exam tip:
For S2, "Readily and Completely" treated- it is Clearly an extreme phrase, hence very unlikely to be true. If this would have been true, water and soil pollution would have been talk of past, but that’s not the case, hence likely false. Eliminating options B and D.
UPSC 2017Environment and Ecology · Pollution
Q6. It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry? 1. Production of algae based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents. 2. Setting up and engineering the algae based biofuels production requires high level of expertise/ technology until the construction is complete. 3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Biofuels are hydrocarbon fuel that is created in a short amount of time--days, weeks, or even months--from organic matter (living or once-living material). Biofuels may be solid, liquid or gaseous in nature:
Solid: Wood, dried plant material, and manure Liquid: Bioethanol and Biodiesel Gaseous: Biogas
Statement 1 is incorrect: Algaculture (farming algae) can be initiated on land unsuitable for agriculture or saline water or wastewater. Statements 2 and 3 are correct: Producing algae for biofuels (excluding simple seaweed production) requires significant capital investments, which may be a significant barrier in developing countries that have a weak investment climate. Also during the setup stage, the production of algae- based biofuels will necessitate expertise in advanced technology.
Exam tip:
For S1, "seas ONLY" is an extreme absolute phrase and hence unlikely to be true. Thus eliminate options A and D. In contrast, S 2 and S3 are too general and practical to be false, hence more likely to be true.
UPSC 2017Environment and Ecology · Climate Change
Q7. In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be potential sites for carbon sequestration? 1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams 2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs 3. Subterranean deep saline formations Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Carbon Sequestration is a process to capture and store CO₂ to curb global warming. It is captured from the air, industries or power stations and stored permanently underground. Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration is the process through which CO₂ from the atmosphere is absorbed by trees and plants through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in soils and biomass (tree trunks, branches, foliage, and roots). In Geologic Carbon Sequestration CO₂ can be stored in oil reservoirs, gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, saline formations and shale formations with high organic content.
Statement 1 is correct: Uneconomic coal seams can be used to store CO₂ because the CO₂ molecules attach to the surface of coal.
Statement 2 is correct: CO₂ is sometimes injected into declining oil fields to increase oil recovery.
Statement 3 is correct: Other potential sites are gas reservoirs, saline formations and shale formations with high organic content.
UPSC 2017Environment and Ecology · Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies
Q8. Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites?
Explanation
The proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat was aimed at establishing a second population of Asiatic lions in Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. This initiative is part of the Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project, which seeks to ensure the genetic stability and conservation of the species. The last wild population of the Asiatic lion is found in the region of Gir Forest National Park, in the state of Gujarat.
UPSC 2017Environment and Ecology · Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies
Q9. In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?
Explanation
Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 covers endangered species that need rigorous protection. The species are granted protection from poaching, killing, trading etc. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was passed in order to safeguard various plant and animal species. Some of the animals granted protection under the Schedule I include, Black Buck, Tiger, Clouded Leopard, Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Himalayan Bear, Asiatic Cheetah, Kashmiri Stag, Fishing Cat, Lion-tailed Macaque, Musk Deer, Rhinoceros, Brow Antlered Deer, Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Capped Langur, Golden Langur, Hoolock Gibbon etc. Species declared protected under Schedule I are prohibited to be hunted throughout India, except under threat to human life or in case of a disease that is beyond recovery. Thus tortoise species declared under Schedule I enjoys the same level of protection as iconic species like the tiger and elephant. Note: Updated schedules have been added in the vermin question of 2024.
UPSC 2017Environment and Ecology · Environmental Laws, Conventions and Policies
Q10. According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law? 1. Gharial 2. Indian wild ass 3. Wild buffalo Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, certain species are granted varying levels of protection through classification into different schedules. Species listed in Schedule I receive the highest level of protection, prohibiting hunting except under specific circumstances such as threat to human life, if the animal is disabled or diseased beyond recovery or for scientific research. The Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a critically endangered crocodilian, is listed under Schedule I, providing it with stringent protection measures. The Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur), found primarily in the Rann of Kutch, is also listed under Schedule I, ensuring its protection. The Wild Buffalo (Bubalus arnee), native to parts of central India, is included in Schedule I, reflecting its endangered status and the need for strict conservation efforts. Note: Updated schedules have been added in the vermin question of 2024."
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2017
(b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves
2
2017
(c) 1 and 3 only
3
2017
(c) 1 and 3 only
4
2017
(c) Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems
5
2017
(c) 1 and 3 only
6
2017
(b) 2 and 3 only
7
2017
(d) 1, 2 and 3
8
2017
(b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
9
2017
(a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.
10
2017
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Environment and Ecology?
This page covers 15 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Environment and Ecology in the UPSC 2017 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 2017 Prelims are available for 22 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
