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6. Which of the following has encountered setbacks in its environmental initiatives during 2024?
[A] UN
[B] UNSECO
[C] IMF
[D] WMO
Correct Answer: A [UN]
Notes:
The United Nations faced challenges in its environmental initiatives throughout 2024. Four significant summits convened in Colombia, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea did not yield substantial results. These meetings were intended to harmonize objectives among governments, researchers, and civil society, as well as to secure essential financial support. Nevertheless, the absence of agreement and advancement casts doubt on the effectiveness of global efforts to address biodiversity loss and climate change.
7. Which of the following ministry has recently amended the rules for selecting experts in the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Law & Justice
[C] Ministry of Home
[D] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recently revised the regulations governing the selection of experts for the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). These modifications are intended to improve transparency and mitigate potential conflicts of interest among the committee’s members. The amendments are in response to a Supreme Court directive that mandated the establishment of a national policy regarding genetically modified (GM) crops. The GEAC is crucial in overseeing the regulation of GM seeds in India and safeguarding environmental integrity.
8. Which state has recently reported an increase in its elephant population?
[A] Karnataka
[B] West Bengal
[C] Kerala
[D] Assam
Correct Answer: D [Assam]
Notes:
Assam has recently announced a growth in its elephant population. The most recent assessment indicates a total of 5,828 elephants, reflecting an increase of 109 individuals since the last count conducted in 2017. This information, disclosed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is derived from a comprehensive survey carried out from February 20 to 27, 2024. The coordinated estimation process engaged 5,743 personnel across 1,536 survey blocks within 43 forest divisions. The report underscores the significance of elephant reserves in supporting population sustainability and reducing human-elephant conflicts.
9. Recently, a team of scientists identified a new species of ant in the Western Ghats. What is its name?
[A] Tapinoma onaele
[B] Amblyoponinae
[C] Acrobat
[D] Pharaoh
Correct Answer: A [Tapinoma onaele]
Notes:
A recent discovery in the Western Ghats has highlighted the significance of biodiversity within leaf litter ecosystems. Researchers from Goa, Karnataka, and Dehradun have identified a novel ant species, Tapinoma onaele, in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. This discovery underscores the often-neglected importance of leaf litter habitats. The term ‘Onaele’ means ‘dried leaves’ in Kannada, reflecting the essential role this environment plays. Pronoy Baidya, the head of the research division at AERO, stressed that the biodiversity found in leaf litter is a critical element of forest ecosystems.
10. Which of the following states has recently launched an initiative called Green GDP?
[A] Kerala
[B] Chhattisgarh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Rajasthan
Correct Answer: B [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
Chhattisgarh has started a new program that includes the ecological benefits of its forests in the Green Gross Domestic Product (Green GDP). This unique method aims to show how forests contribute to the environment and the state’s economic growth. The goal is to promote sustainable economic development while protecting the environment for future generations. The main aims of Chhattisgarh’s Green GDP initiative are to improve budget planning, develop policies that promote economic growth with a focus on environmental sustainability, and officially acknowledge the economic benefits of forest ecosystem services.
