Q4291. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 in India.
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Q4292. The severe famine of 1868-69 in Rajputana is notoriously referred to as ‘Tri-kal’ (Triple Famine) because it involved an acute, simultaneous scarcity of:
Explanation
The famine of 1868-69 is called ‘Tri-kal’ because it represented a simultaneous and acute scarcity of three essential resources: grain for human consumption, water for all living beings, and fodder for livestock. This combination made the crisis particularly lethal, as it not only caused widespread human starvation but also destroyed the animal wealth that was central to the region’s agricultural economy.
Q4293. All of the following are protocols/frameworks directly associated with the Convention on Biological Diversity, EXCEPT:
Explanation
The Cartagena Protocol, the Nagoya Protocol and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework are linked with the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Kyoto Protocol belongs to the climate convention, so it is the exception.
Q4294. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the famine relief measures in 19th-century Rajasthan.
Explanation
Famine relief measures in Rajasthan included opening state granaries, initiating public works like building lakes, and philanthropic kitchens run by Seths. However, the British did not provide massive, unrecoverable grants to compensate peasants for lost crops. Instead, relief was often limited and aimed at preventing mass death or migration that could disrupt imperial stability, while peasants remained burdened by heavy debt.
Q4295. The following question consists of two statements, Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Select the correct answer from the options given below:
Assertion (A): The CBD recognizes that States have sovereign rights over their own biological resources.
Reason (R): Prior to the CBD, genetic resources were widely considered as the "common heritage of mankind," leading to their unregulated exploitation by foreign entities.
Assertion (A): The CBD recognizes that States have sovereign rights over their own biological resources.
Reason (R): Prior to the CBD, genetic resources were widely considered as the "common heritage of mankind," leading to their unregulated exploitation by foreign entities.
Explanation
Before the CBD, genetic resources were often exploited by foreign entities as the "common heritage of mankind" without compensating the source nations. The CBD shifted this paradigm by explicitly recognizing the sovereign rights of States over their own biological resources. This change was essential to empower nations to regulate access and ensure they receive a fair share of benefits from utilization.
Q4296. What does the term ‘Chhappanya’ literally signify in the context of the ‘Chhappanya Akal’?
Explanation
The term ‘Chhappanya’ in ‘Chhappanya Akal’ specifically refers to the year 1956 in the Vikram Samvat calendar. This year coincides with 1899 AD, when the most severe famine of the nineteenth century struck Rajasthan. The name has become a permanent part of the regional folklore and historical memory to signify the unprecedented scale of suffering and loss during that period.
Q4297. A significant demographic and economic effect of the repeated famines in Rajasthan during the late 19th century was:
Explanation
Repeated famines in the late nineteenth century significantly impacted the demographic and economic structure of Rajasthan. The loss of millions of cattle led to the ruin of the traditional livestock economy. Furthermore, the inability to pay taxes and the need for survival forced peasants into deep agrarian debt. These factors collectively weakened the rural economy and slowed down regional development.
Q4298. A foreign pharmaceutical company wants to use a medicinal plant native to the Western Ghats to develop a new drug. Under CBD principles, which principle mandates that the company must share profits with India?
Explanation
Access and Benefit Sharing is a central principle of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It mandates that when a company or researcher accesses genetic resources or traditional knowledge from another country for commercial use, they must share the resulting benefits fairly with the provider. This mechanism ensures that biodiversity-rich nations and local communities are compensated for their contribution to scientific innovation.
Q4299. Consider the following statements regarding the British response to famines in Rajasthan:
Statement I: The British initially viewed famines in the princely states of Rajputana purely as an internal administrative failure of the native rulers.
Statement II: Influenced by the Famine Commissions, the British eventually pressured native states to adopt systematic famine relief codes, primarily to protect imperial revenues and prevent mass migrations into British territories.
Statement I: The British initially viewed famines in the princely states of Rajputana purely as an internal administrative failure of the native rulers.
Statement II: Influenced by the Famine Commissions, the British eventually pressured native states to adopt systematic famine relief codes, primarily to protect imperial revenues and prevent mass migrations into British territories.
Explanation
Initially, the British viewed famines in Rajputana as internal failures of the local rulers. However, following the recommendations of various Famine Commissions, they eventually pressured the states to adopt formal famine relief codes. This shift was motivated by the need to protect imperial revenues and prevent large-scale migrations of destitute people from the princely states into British Indian territories.
Q4300. The Nagoya Protocol primarily addresses which of the three main objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?
Explanation
While the CBD has three main goals, the Nagoya Protocol specifically provides a detailed legal framework for the third objective: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. By establishing clear rules on access and compliance, the protocol aims to prevent biopiracy and ensure that the providers of genetic resources receive a just share.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 4291 | (a) It allows foreign individuals to access India’s biological resources freely without any prior approval. |
| 4292 | (d) Grain, Water, and Fodder |
| 4293 | (d) Kyoto Protocol |
| 4294 | (b) Massive, unrecoverable British grants compensating peasants for all lost crops. |
| 4295 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 4296 | (c) The Vikram Samvat year 1956 (1899 AD) |
| 4297 | (d) Ruin of the traditional livestock economy and agrarian debt |
| 4298 | (d) Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) |
| 4299 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 4300 | (a) Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources. |
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