Q331. Which of the following is NOT one of the four recognized biodiversity hotspots present in India?
Health, Environment and Agriculture: RAS Prelims MCQs
662 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on health, environment and agriculture are on this page, in 4 chapters. They cover human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes, environmental and ecological changes and impact assessment, biodiversity and conservation of natural resources, and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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Q332. Read the following statements regarding the criteria for a region to qualify as a biodiversity hotspot:
I. It must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics.
II. It must have lost at least 70 percent of its primary native vegetation.
III. It must be located strictly within the tropical latitudes.
IV. It must contain significant megafauna species.
Which of the above statements are correct?
I. It must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics.
II. It must have lost at least 70 percent of its primary native vegetation.
III. It must be located strictly within the tropical latitudes.
IV. It must contain significant megafauna species.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must harbor at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species and have lost seventy percent of its original native vegetation. Hotspots are defined by high endemism and high threat levels rather than specific latitudes or the presence of megafauna. Consequently, only the botanical and habitat loss criteria are valid in this specific context.
Q333. All of the following states in India share parts of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, EXCEPT:
Explanation
The Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot runs along the western coast of India, spanning across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. This mountain range is famous for its unique flora and fauna. Odisha is located on the eastern coast of the Indian peninsula and is not part of the Western Ghats mountain system or its designated ecological hotspot.
Q334. The following question consists of two statements, Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Select the correct answer from the options given below:
Assertion (A): The Western Ghats are classified as a biodiversity hotspot.
Reason (R): They host a high degree of endemism and are subjected to significant threat from human activities.
Assertion (A): The Western Ghats are classified as a biodiversity hotspot.
Reason (R): They host a high degree of endemism and are subjected to significant threat from human activities.
Explanation
The Western Ghats are a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot because they contain a vast number of species found nowhere else on Earth. This high degree of endemism, coupled with significant environmental threats from human activities, fulfills the essential criteria for hotspot designation. Thus, the reasoning provided accurately explains why this region is classified under this specific international conservation category.
Q335. The Nicobar Islands of India form a part of which global biodiversity hotspot?
Explanation
The Nicobar Islands are geologically and biologically linked to the Southeast Asian archipelago, placing them within the Sundaland biodiversity hotspot. This region includes the Malay Peninsula and various Indonesian islands. While the Andaman Islands are often associated with the Indo-Burma hotspot, the Nicobars represent India’s contribution to the extremely rich and threatened Sundaland ecological zone in the Indian Ocean.
Q336. Identify the incorrect pair regarding India’s biodiversity hotspots and their prominent regions.
Explanation
The Sundaland hotspot in India primarily includes the Nicobar Islands, while the Indo- Burma hotspot covers the northeastern states. The Himalayas hotspot encompasses the mountain range in Arunachal Pradesh. However, the Lakshadweep Islands are coral atolls in the Arabian Sea and are not classified as part of the Sundaland hotspot, making this specific pairing incorrect and factually inaccurate.
Q337. Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Statement I: Endemic species are those that are found exclusively in a particular geographical area and nowhere else.
Statement II: High endemism is a primary requirement for a region to be declared a biodiversity hotspot.
Statement I: Endemic species are those that are found exclusively in a particular geographical area and nowhere else.
Statement II: High endemism is a primary requirement for a region to be declared a biodiversity hotspot.
Explanation
Endemic species are restricted to a specific geographical area and are not naturally found elsewhere. High endemism is one of the two mandatory criteria used to identify global biodiversity hotspots. Therefore, both statements accurately describe the nature of endemism and its fundamental role in determining which regions of the world require urgent and prioritized conservation attention from environmental agencies.
Q338. Which among the following best describes the ecological significance of a biodiversity hotspot?
Explanation
Biodiversity hotspots are biogeographic regions that serve as significant reservoirs of biodiversity. They are defined by the presence of a vast number of endemic species and the fact that the natural habitat is under extreme threat from human exploitation. These areas are prioritized for conservation because they represent the most biologically rich yet most endangered ecosystems on the planet today.
Q339. What is a direct ecological consequence of habitat destruction in a biodiversity hotspot?
Explanation
Habitat destruction in biodiversity hotspots is particularly devastating because these areas contain endemic species that exist nowhere else. When their unique habitats are lost, these species face immediate extinction. Consequently, the degradation of these critical regions leads directly to an accelerated loss of global biodiversity, as the specialized life forms they support cannot survive in significantly altered environments.
Q340. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains the Red List of Threatened Species. In which year was the IUCN established?
Explanation
The International Union for Conservation of Nature was established in October 1948 in Fontainebleau, France. It was the world’s first global environmental organization and currently serves as the leading authority on the status of the natural world. Since its inception, the organization has worked to influence, encourage, and assist societies throughout the world to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable use.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 331 | (b) The Vindhyan Range |
| 332 | (a) I and II only |
| 333 | (d) Odisha |
| 334 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 335 | (b) Sundaland |
| 336 | (b) Sundaland Hotspot - Lakshadweep Islands |
| 337 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 338 | (c) A region with high species richness, endemism, and threat of destruction. |
| 339 | (d) Accelerated rate of local and global species extinction |
| 340 | (c) 1948 |
Key facts from Health, Environment and Agriculture
- The RPSC General Science syllabus includes human health and nutrition, environmental change, biodiversity and the agriculture of Rajasthan.
- Health questions pair a deficiency or a programme with its cause or target, for example iron with anaemia.
- Environment questions cover ecosystems, pollutants, laws and treaties, including carbon markets.
- Rajasthan agriculture questions deal with dryland farming, crops of the arid zones and the State’s agro-climatic zones.
- Science and technology, policies and defence are on the Science and Technology page.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Health, Environment and Agriculture?
This page has 662 practice MCQs on Health, Environment and Agriculture. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does this set cover?
Four chapters: human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes; environmental and ecological changes and their impact assessment; biodiversity, conservation of natural resources and sustainable development; and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan.
Are health, environment and agriculture part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The General Knowledge and General Science paper includes human health, nutrition, environment, biodiversity and the agriculture sector of Rajasthan, so these topics can be asked every year.
How can I revise this part of the syllabus?
Make short lists of deficiency diseases, pollutants, laws and treaties, and Rajasthan crops and zones. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations of the misses and revisit the lists after a few days.