Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment: RAS Prelims MCQs
168 RAS Prelims MCQs on environmental and ecological changes and impact assessment cover ecosystem concepts, pollution, climate and environmental law. Ecotones, decomposers, primary productivity, secondary pollutants, the greenhouse effect, the EIA Notification 2006, the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and the Aravalli mining ban are asked as definitions, laws and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 131–140 of 168 questions
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
Q131. Match List I with List II regarding environmental board responsibilities:
Board/Authority
Key Responsibility
A. CPCB
i. Judicial adjudication of environmental disputes
B. SPCB
ii. Formulation of national environmental policies
C. MoEFCC
iii. Setting national ambient air quality standards
D. NGT
iv. Issuing specific consent to operate for local industries
Explanation
Different organizations in the environmental management system have unique roles. The central authority sets national standards for quality, while regional boards handle the direct regulation of local businesses. At the highest level, the government department develops broad policies and international strategies. Finally, a specialized court is used to resolve legal disputes and provide justice for environmental damage. This multi-layered approach ensures that environmental protection is addressed from many different perspectives.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
Q132. The financial resources of the State Pollution Control Boards are largely derived from:
Explanation
To fund their operations and monitoring programs, regional pollution control boards rely on several sources of income. A significant portion of their budget comes from the fees they collect from industries for the permission to operate. Additionally, they receive a share of the charges levied on the use of water by various facilities. These funds allow the boards to remain financially independent and effectively carry out their duties to protect the air and water.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
Q133. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, was enacted in the wake of which major industrial disaster?
Explanation
A major national law for protecting the environment was passed following one of the worst industrial accidents in history. This tragic event, which occurred in a central Indian city, involved the release of a highly toxic gas from a chemical plant, causing thousands of deaths and long-term health problems. The disaster highlighted the urgent need for a stronger and more comprehensive legal framework to manage hazardous substances and protect the public and environment.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
Q134. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is considered an "umbrella legislation" because:
Explanation
The national environmental law enacted in the mid-eighties is often described using a term that reflects its broad and comprehensive nature. It provides a central framework that allows for the coordination of various other more specific laws related to air and water pollution. By giving the government wide-ranging powers to address any environmental issue, it ensures that there are no gaps in the legal system and that protection is covered under one authority.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
Q135. Under Article 253 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament enacted the Environment (Protection) Act to implement the decisions of which international conference?
Explanation
The power to create national environmental laws in India is derived from the constitution, which allows the government to implement international agreements. The specific law passed in nineteen eighty-six was designed to meet the commitments made during the first major global meeting on the human environment held in Sweden. This landmark conference emphasized that the protection of the Earth is a shared responsibility of all nations and that governments must actively manage natural resources.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
Q136. Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 gives power to the Central Government to:
Explanation
A key part of the national environmental law gives the central government broad authority to take any actions it deems necessary to protect the quality of the air, water, and soil. This includes the power to set standards for pollutants, regulate the location of industries, and manage the handling of hazardous materials. By having this central authority, the country can ensure a consistent and effective response to any environmental challenges across its different regions.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
Q137. Consider the following rules notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: I. E-Waste (Management) Rules II. Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules III. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification IV. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification V. Wild Life (Protection) Rules Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Many specific regulations have been established under the authority of the overarching national environmental law to address different types of waste and sensitive areas. These include rules for managing electronic and medical waste, as well as notifications for protecting coastal regions and evaluating the impacts of new projects. While many aspects are covered, some specific laws for protecting wildlife and their habitats are managed through a separate and older legal framework.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
Q138. Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the penalty for contravention of its provisions is:
Explanation
To ensure that environmental laws are taken seriously, the national legislation includes significant punishments for those who break the rules. Depending on the severity of the offense, individuals or companies can face substantial fines or even spend several years in prison. In some cases, both types of penalties can be applied. These strong deterrents are essential for encouraging people and businesses to follow the regulations and for protecting the environment and public health.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
Q139. Who has the authority to issue directions for the closure, prohibition or regulation of any industry under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?
Explanation
The national environmental law gives a specific branch of the government the power to issue direct orders to any industry or facility. This includes the authority to shut down operations, stop the supply of utilities, or require changes to how a business is managed if it is found to be causing harm to the environment. This central power ensures that there is a swift and effective way to address serious pollution problems and protect communities.
RAS PrelimsHealth, Environment and Agriculture · Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
Q140. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Explanation
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 defines environment, applies to the whole of India and allows complaints after a 60-day notice. It does not prohibit Eco-Sensitive Zones around national parks, since such zones are declared under it, so A is incorrect.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
131
(d) A-iii, B-iv, C-ii, D-i
132
(a) Water cess and consent fees
133
(b) Bhopal Gas Tragedy
134
(a) Framework to coordinate various laws
135
(c) UN Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, 1972
136
(d) Protect and improve environment quality
137
(b) I, II, III and IV
138
(b) Imprisonment up to 5 years or a fine up to Rs. 1 lakh, or both
139
(d) The Central Government
140
(a) It strictly prohibits the establishment of Eco-Sensitive Zones around national parks.
Key facts from Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
An ecosystem is made of interacting organisms and their physical environment; an ecotone is a zone of transition between ecosystems.
Saprotrophs convert complex organic matter into simple substances; gross primary productivity is the rate at which producers create organic matter.
Plants release water vapour through transpiration.
Ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant; CO, SO₂ and PM10 are primary pollutants.
The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat by atmospheric gases.
Category B2 projects are exempt from public consultation under the EIA Notification 2006; the Supreme Court banned mining in the Aravalli range in Haryana and Rajasthan.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment?
This page has 168 practice MCQs on Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment (Health, Environment and Agriculture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is a secondary pollutant?
A pollutant that is not emitted directly but forms in the air from primary pollutants. Ground-level ozone is the standard example, formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in sunlight.
What is an ecotone?
A zone of transition between two different ecosystems, such as the area between a forest and a grassland. It often has more species than either neighbour because it has species of both.
Which projects are exempt from public consultation under EIA 2006?
Category B2 projects, which have less environmental impact. Category A and B1 projects need public consultation as part of the clearance process, which is the main way local people are heard.
