Q141. Eco-Mark, a certification mark issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for environment-friendly products, operates under the ambit of which legislation?
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 141–150 of 168 questions
Q142. What is the fundamental difference between the Environment Protection Act (EPA) 1986 and the Water/Air Acts?
Explanation
While laws for air and water were created earlier and focus on specific types of pollution, the legislation passed in nineteen eighty-six is much broader in its scope. Its most significant feature is that it gives the central government a high degree of power to coordinate and direct environmental protection efforts nationwide. This allows for a more unified and effective approach to complex problems that cross state boundaries or involve many different types of environmental media.
Q143. Consider the following ecological zones of Rajasthan:
A. Hadoti Plateau
B. Arid Western Plain
C. Eastern Plains
D. Aravalli Hills
Which of the following represents the correct sequence in descending order of average annual rainfall?
A. Hadoti Plateau
B. Arid Western Plain
C. Eastern Plains
D. Aravalli Hills
Which of the following represents the correct sequence in descending order of average annual rainfall?
Explanation
The amount of rain received across a large western state varies significantly from one area to another. The highest amounts are found in the southeast, where the landscape is dominated by plateaus and hills. Moving westward, the climate becomes increasingly dry. The central plains receive a moderate amount of moisture, while the vast sandy regions in the far west are characterized by very low and unpredictable rainfall, which has a profound impact on life.
Q144. The degradation of the Aravalli hills in Rajasthan has primarily resulted in:
Explanation
The loss of vegetation and soil on an ancient mountain range in western India has serious environmental consequences for the surrounding regions. These hills have historically acted as a natural barrier to the movement of sand and dust. As they become degraded, this shield is weakened, allowing the dry conditions of the west to move further toward the more fertile areas to the east. This process threatens the health of the land and millions.
Q145. Which mining activity has severely impacted the ecological balance of the Makrana and Rajsamand regions of Rajasthan?
Explanation
Certain regions in a western Indian state are world-famous for their high-quality building stones and decorative materials. However, the intensive and often unscientific extraction of these minerals has led to severe ecological damage. Large-scale quarrying has destroyed the natural landscape, depleted groundwater resources, and generated massive amounts of waste and dust. These changes have disrupted local ecosystems and posed serious health risks to the people living and working in these areas.
Q146. The problem of ‘fluorosis’ in Rajasthan is predominantly caused by:
Explanation
Many people in the arid parts of northern and western India suffer from a chronic condition that affects their teeth and bones. This problem is not caused by pollution from factories or farming, but rather by the natural composition of the local geology. In many areas, the deep groundwater contains high levels of a specific mineral. When this water is used for drinking over a long time, it leads to painful and permanent health issues.
Q147. Regarding the impact of unscientific mining in the Aravallis, consider the following statements:
I. It leads to the destruction of wildlife corridors.
II. It increases the groundwater table in the surrounding areas.
III. It generates enormous quantities of silica dust causing silicosis.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It leads to the destruction of wildlife corridors.
II. It increases the groundwater table in the surrounding areas.
III. It generates enormous quantities of silica dust causing silicosis.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Unscientific extraction activities in a historic mountain range have multiple negative effects on the environment and public health. Beyond destroying the pathways used by wild animals, these activities also release dangerous amounts of fine mineral dust. When people breathe in this dust over many years, it can cause severe lung diseases. Additionally, these mining operations often disrupt the natural flow of water, leading to the depletion of essential groundwater resources in dryland communities.
Q148. Which traditional water harvesting system is widely used in the arid regions of Rajasthan to combat water scarcity?
Explanation
In the dry regions of western India, people have used clever traditional methods to collect and store rainwater for centuries. One common system involves building small, crescent-shaped embankments across seasonal streams. These structures capture the runoff and allow it to slowly seep into the ground, which recharges the local water table and provides a reliable source for people and livestock. These time-tested techniques are increasingly recognized as essential for surviving in a water-scarce environment.
Q149. The Supreme Court of India imposed a blanket ban on mining activities in the Aravalli range in which state(s) to protect its ecology?
Explanation
The Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on mining in the Aravalli range in Haryana and Rajasthan to protect its ecology.
Q150. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Indira Gandhi Canal Project has brought green revolution to western Rajasthan but also created environmental issues.
Reason (R): Intensive canal irrigation without proper drainage has led to widespread waterlogging and soil salinity in the command area.
Assertion (A): The Indira Gandhi Canal Project has brought green revolution to western Rajasthan but also created environmental issues.
Reason (R): Intensive canal irrigation without proper drainage has led to widespread waterlogging and soil salinity in the command area.
Explanation
A massive irrigation project has transformed large parts of a previously dry region, allowing for successful farming and economic growth. However, this progress has also brought new environmental challenges. Because the water is applied intensively to soil that does not drain well, it can lead to the ground becoming saturated and salty. This change makes it difficult for crops to grow and can eventually lead to the loss of productive land if not managed properly.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 141 | (c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 |
| 142 | (a) Grants overarching powers to Center |
| 143 | (b) A, C, D, B |
| 144 | (b) Expansion of the Thar Desert eastwards |
| 145 | (c) Marble and stone quarrying |
| 146 | (d) High natural fluoride in water |
| 147 | (c) I and III only |
| 148 | (b) Johad |
| 149 | (b) Haryana and Rajasthan |
| 150 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
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.