Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development: RAS Prelims MCQs
179 RAS Prelims MCQs on biodiversity, conservation of natural resources and sustainable development cover the levels of biodiversity, hotspots, conservation bodies, wildlife law and climate instruments. Alpha diversity, Norman Myers, the IUCN Red List, the Wildlife Amendment Act 2022, the CBD protocols and carbon market ideas like cap and trade and additionality are asked as facts and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 121–130 of 179 questions
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
Q121. Arrange the following Sustainable Development Goals in correct numerical order from SDG 1 to SDG 4: I. Quality Education II. No Poverty III. Zero Hunger IV. Good Health and Well-being Which of the following represents the correct sequence?
Explanation
The first four Sustainable Development Goals are ordered to address the most fundamental aspects of human well-being. SDG 1 is "No Poverty," followed by SDG 2, which aims for "Zero Hunger." SDG 3 focuses on "Good Health and Well-being," and SDG 4 is dedicated to "Quality Education." This sequence reflects the logical progression of meeting basic human needs and capabilities.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
Q122. In India, which institution is primarily responsible for overseeing the implementation of the SDGs and releasing the SDG India Index?
Explanation
In India, NITI Aayog is the premier policy think tank responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. It plays a crucial role in monitoring progress through the SDG India Index, which ranks states and union territories on their performance. This competitive and cooperative framework encourages sub-national governments to prioritize sustainable development in their specific local policies and budgets.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
Q123. Identify the correct pair of the Sustainable Development Goal and its subject:
Explanation
Each Sustainable Development Goal is dedicated to a specific global challenge. SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. In contrast, SDG 5 focuses on gender equality, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and SDG 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions. Therefore, the pairing for SDG 11 is the only correct one.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
Q124. Identify the incorrect pair regarding the SDGs:
Explanation
The Sustainable Development Goals have specific numbering. SDG 1 is dedicated to ending poverty, SDG 2 aims for zero hunger, and SDG 13 focuses on climate action. However, SDG 14 is specifically concerned with "Life Below Water," focusing on marine resources. "Life on Land" is the subject of SDG 15, making the pairing of SDG 14 with land incorrect and inaccurate.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
Q125. Read the following statements and select the correct option: Statement I: The SDGs replaced the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which ended in 2015. Statement II: Unlike the MDGs, the SDGs are applicable only to developing nations.
Explanation
The Sustainable Development Goals were introduced in 2015 to replace the Millennium Development Goals, which had guided global development since 2000. While the MDGs primarily targeted developing nations, the SDGs are universal and apply to all countries regardless of their income level. Therefore, only the statement regarding the replacement of the MDGs is correct, as the second statement is false.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
Q126. Which term is most appropriately used by the UN to describe the period from 2020 to 2030 regarding the implementation of the SDGs?
Explanation
Recognizing that global efforts were not on track to meet the 2030 targets, the United Nations officially designated the period from 2020 to 2030 as the "Decade of Action." This initiative calls for accelerating sustainable solutions to all the world’s biggest challenges, ranging from poverty and gender inequality to climate change and closing the finance gap for the goals.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
Q127. All of the following metrics are commonly used to measure a country’s progress on SDGs, EXCEPT:
Explanation
Progress on the SDGs is measured using indicators like poverty levels, maternal mortality ratios, and forest cover percentages. These metrics reflect improvements in social and environmental health. Conversely, increasing the production of ozone-depleting substances is harmful to the environment and directly contradicts the goals of sustainability and climate action. Therefore, such a measurement would never be used to show positive progress.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
Q128. Find the odd one out among the themes of the SDGs (focused on the "5 Ps" shaping the 2030 Agenda).
Explanation
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is shaped by five overarching themes known as the "5 Ps": People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. These themes represent the interconnected nature of the goals. While economic prosperity is included, "Profit" is not one of the official themes, as the focus is on broad human well-being and environmental health rather than just commercial gains.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
Natural Resource Management is a holistic approach that focuses on how people interact with the natural world. It involves the sustainable use and protection of resources like land, water, soil, plants, and animals. The goal is to ensure that these resources provide for current human needs while maintaining the health of the landscape and its ability to support future generations.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
Q130. Identify the correct statement regarding groundwater management in India.
Explanation
The Central Ground Water Authority is the statutory body in India responsible for regulating and controlling the development and management of groundwater resources. This is critical because India is one of the world’s largest extractors of groundwater, primarily for agricultural irrigation. Unlike the incorrect claims, groundwater is a finite resource that requires active recharge and management to prevent severe depletion.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
121
(a) II, III, IV, I
122
(b) NITI Aayog
123
(d) SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
124
(a) SDG 14 - Life on Land
125
(a) Statement I is correct, and Statement II is incorrect.
126
(a) The Decade of Action
127
(d) Total annual production of ozone-depleting substances for industrial expansion
128
(b) Profit
129
(c) Managing interactions between people and landscapes to sustain natural resources.
130
(a) The CGWA regulates and controls groundwater development and management.
Key facts from Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
Genetic diversity is the variation of genes and alleles within a species; alpha diversity is the diversity of species within a habitat.
Norman Myers proposed the concept of biodiversity hotspots; the Nicobar Islands are part of the Sundaland hotspot.
The IUCN maintains the Red List of Threatened Species; the Amazon rainforest is called the lungs of the planet.
The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022 removed the vermin schedule; the Centre can declare vermin by notification.
The Cartagena Protocol, Nagoya Protocol and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework belong to the CBD; the Kyoto Protocol does not.
Cap and trade sets an emission limit and allows trade of surplus allowances; one carbon credit equals one tonne of CO₂; additionality means reductions must be real.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development?
This page has 179 practice MCQs on Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development (Health, Environment and Agriculture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who proposed the concept of biodiversity hotspots?
The ecologist Norman Myers. A hotspot is a region with a very high number of endemic species that has lost most of its original habitat, such as the Western Ghats and Sundaland.
What is cap and trade?
A mechanism that sets a limit (cap) on total emissions and issues allowances to firms. Firms that emit less than their allowance can sell the surplus to others, which gives a market price to carbon.
What does additionality mean in carbon offsets?
That the emission reductions must be real and would not have happened without the revenue from carbon credits. A project that would have gone ahead anyway does not earn credits.
