Q571. Analyze the following cause and effect statements and select the correct option: Cause: Unseasonal rainfall and cloudy weather during the flowering and seed formation stage of Cumin. Effect: Severe outbreak of Alternaria blight and aphid infestation, leading to huge yield losses.
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 571–580 of 662 questions
Browse Health, Environment and Agriculture chapters
Q572. Afforestation through social forestry in Rajasthan primarily aims to:
Explanation
Afforestation through social forestry in Rajasthan primarily aims to involve local communities in planting trees on non-forest lands. This initiative is designed to meet the immediate needs of the rural population for fuelwood, fodder, and small timber. By creating village forests, it reduces the pressure on existing reserved forests and helps in ecological restoration. Social forestry promotes sustainable land use.
Q573. Which of the following best defines ‘Agroforestry’?
Explanation
Agroforestry is a dynamic land management system that integrates trees and shrubs into crop and livestock production systems. This approach provides multiple benefits, including diversified income sources, improved soil fertility, and enhanced biodiversity. In Rajasthan, agroforestry is essential for creating more resilient farming systems that can withstand climatic extremes. It combines agricultural productivity with environmental conservation for sustainability.
Q574. In the arid zones of Rajasthan, which traditional agroforestry system is most prevalent and ecologically sustainable?
Explanation
In the arid zones of Rajasthan, Khejri-based systems are the most traditional and ecologically sustainable form of agroforestry. Khejri trees are naturally scattered across agricultural fields, where they are integrated with crops like pearl millet or maintained as silvi-pastoral systems for livestock grazing. The tree’s ability to fix nitrogen and its deep root system make it a perfect companion.
Q575. The cultivation of crops between rows of planted trees is an agroforestry practice known as:
Explanation
Alley cropping is an agroforestry practice where agricultural crops are grown in the "alleys" formed between rows of planted trees or shrubs. This system allows for the simultaneous production of food crops and woody perennials. The trees can provide various benefits, such as acting as windbreaks, providing mulch, or yielding timber and fruits. Alley cropping maximizes land use efficiency and income.
Q576. Which fast-growing exotic tree species was extensively planted in Rajasthan for afforestation and canal bank stabilization, but later criticized for lowering the water table and suppressing local biodiversity?
Explanation
Prosopis juliflora, locally known as Vilayati Babool, was introduced in Rajasthan for rapid greening and canal stabilization. However, it later faced criticism because it is a highly invasive species that can lower the local water table with its deep roots. It also secretes chemicals that inhibit native vegetation growth, reducing biodiversity. Despite its use as fuelwood, its ecological impact is negative.
Q577. What is the primary function of ‘Shelterbelts’ planted in the western districts of Rajasthan?
Explanation
Shelterbelts are rows of trees and shrubs planted across the wind direction in the western districts of Rajasthan. Their primary ecological function is to break the high velocity of desert winds, which reduces wind erosion and checks the movement of shifting sand dunes. By protecting agricultural fields and infrastructure from sand burial, shelterbelts play a critical role in desert stabilization.
Q578. Farm forestry, a component of social forestry, involves:
Explanation
Farm forestry is a component of social forestry where individual farmers take the initiative to plant and manage trees on their private agricultural lands. The trees can be grown for various purposes, including providing timber for sale, meeting household fuelwood needs, or yielding fruits. This practice helps farmers diversify their income and provides a buffer against crop failure. It increases cover.
Q579. Identify the incorrect statement regarding afforestation efforts in Rajasthan.
Explanation
Afforestation efforts in Rajasthan do not rely on water-intensive species like Teak and Sal because they are unsuitable for the state’s arid climate. Instead, projects focus on hardy, indigenous species like Khejri, Rohida, and Neem that are adapted to low water availability.
Q580. The Indira Gandhi Canal Project (IGNP) area has witnessed extensive afforestation. What is the main ecological benefit observed here?
Explanation
The extensive afforestation carried out along the Indira Gandhi Canal has brought significant ecological benefits to the region. The tree plantations have helped in stabilizing shifting sand dunes, preventing them from encroaching on the canal and agricultural lands. Furthermore, the increased green cover has created a more favorable microclimate, reducing wind speeds and increasing humidity. This transformation is a prime example.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 571 | (a) The Cause is true, and the Effect is a direct result of the Cause. |
| 572 | (d) Plant trees on community lands to meet local fuel and fodder needs. |
| 573 | (b) Integrating trees and shrubs into farming for economic and social benefits. |
| 574 | (c) Khejri-based silvi-pastoral and agri- silvicultural systems |
| 575 | (d) Alley cropping |
| 576 | (b) Prosopis juliflora (Vilayati Babool) |
| 577 | (b) Break wind velocity and check the shifting of sand dunes. |
| 578 | (a) Farmers planting trees on their own farmlands for commercial or household use. |
| 579 | (c) Afforestation in Rajasthan solely relies on highly water-intensive species like Teak and Sal. |
| 580 | (d) Stabilization of sand dunes and creating a micro-climate. |
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.