Q481. All of the following are challenges faced by Joint Forest Management, EXCEPT:
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.
Showing 481–490 of 662 questions
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Q482. Find the odd one out regarding community conservation practices in India.
Explanation
Sacred groves, the environmental traditions of the Bishnoi community, and Joint Forest Management are all examples of practices that prioritize the protection and sustainable management of natural resources through community involvement. Commercial clear-cutting, however, involves the total removal of trees for immediate profit, which destroys the ecosystem. This destructive industrial practice is the opposite of conservation and the odd out.
Q483. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) can be best defined as:
Explanation
Traditional Ecological Knowledge is a cumulative body of knowledge, practice, and belief that has evolved through adaptive processes over generations. It concerns the complex relationships between living beings and their natural environment. Deeply rooted in indigenous cultures, TEK provides a holistic understanding of ecosystems and is passed down through oral traditions, offering valuable insights for sustainable resource management and conservation.
Q484. Which community in Rajasthan is world-renowned for their centuries-old tradition of protecting the environment, particularly the Khejri trees and Blackbucks, even sacrificing their lives for it (e.g., the Khejarli massacre)?
Explanation
The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan is world-renowned for its deep-rooted commitment to environmental protection. Following the teachings of Guru Jambheshwar, they consider the protection of trees, particularly the Khejri, and wildlife, especially the Blackbuck, as a sacred duty. This tradition was tragically illustrated by the Khejarli massacre, where many Bishnois sacrificed their lives to prevent the felling of forest trees.
Q485. Identify the correct statement regarding the role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in modern conservation.
Explanation
Far from being irrelevant, Traditional Ecological Knowledge is increasingly recognized by the global scientific community as a vital resource for modern conservation. Indigenous and local practices offer unique insights into ecosystem dynamics, species behavior, and sustainable harvesting. By integrating TEK with modern science, conservationists can develop more effective and culturally appropriate strategies for climate change adaptation and biodiversity protection.
Q486. Traditional water harvesting structures in Rajasthan, such as Johads, Bawaris, and Tankas, represent the application of TEK primarily for:
Explanation
In the arid landscape of Rajasthan, local communities have long utilized Traditional Ecological Knowledge to manage scarce water resources. Structures like Johads, Bawaris, and Tankas are ingenious examples of traditional rainwater harvesting. Their primary purpose is to capture every drop of rainfall and store it securely for use during long dry periods, ensuring water security for humans and livestock alike.
Q487. Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Statement I: The Biological Diversity Act of 2002 mandates the documentation of traditional ecological knowledge through People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs).
Statement II: PBRs are prepared at the local level by Biodiversity Management Committees to protect TEK from biopiracy.
Statement I: The Biological Diversity Act of 2002 mandates the documentation of traditional ecological knowledge through People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs).
Statement II: PBRs are prepared at the local level by Biodiversity Management Committees to protect TEK from biopiracy.
Explanation
The Biological Diversity Act of 2002 mandates the creation of People’s Biodiversity Registers to document local biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. These registers are prepared by local Biodiversity Management Committees to ensure that this knowledge is formally recorded. This documentation is a critical step in protecting TEK from biopiracy and ensuring that communities receive fair benefits from its utilization.
Q488. The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is an Indian initiative aimed primarily at:
Explanation
The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library is an Indian initiative designed to protect the country’s ancient medical knowledge from misappropriation. By digitizing and translating information from traditional systems like Ayurveda and Unani, the TKDL provides patent examiners worldwide with evidence of "prior art." This prevents foreign companies from obtaining invalid patents on traditional practices that have been known for centuries.
Q489. What is the effect of integrating TEK with modern scientific forestry?
Explanation
Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge with modern scientific forestry produces a more comprehensive and effective approach to land management. By combining scientific data with local insights, managers can develop co-management strategies that are both ecologically sound and socially acceptable. This synergy respects the rights and wisdom of local communities while ensuring that forest conservation is grounded in the best evidence.
Q490. All of the following are examples of Traditional Ecological Knowledge applied in India, EXCEPT:
Explanation
The Zabo system, bamboo drip irrigation, and the protection of Orans are all time-tested practices that represent Traditional Ecological Knowledge in various parts of India. These methods focus on sustainable resource use and local adaptation. In contrast, large-scale cultivation of genetically modified crops using synthetic fertilizers is a product of modern industrial agriculture and is not part of traditional systems.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 481 | (c) Over-abundance of funds preventing proper budget utilization. |
| 482 | (d) Commercial clear-cutting |
| 483 | (c) Adaptive body of knowledge and beliefs about relationships between beings and environment. |
| 484 | (b) Bishnoi |
| 485 | (d) Valuable insights for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation. |
| 486 | (c) Capturing and storing rainwater for security in desert ecosystems. |
| 487 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 488 | (d) Preventing invalid international patents on traditional knowledge. |
| 489 | (b) It leads to better, more sustainable co- management strategies that are socially acceptable and ecologically sound. |
| 490 | (c) Large-scale genetically modified crop cultivation using synthetic fertilizers |
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.