Environmental Science MCQ – Asked in Previous Years, WBCS Mains

Answer – B. ICZN
Explanation-The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is the international body that sets the rules for the scientific naming of animals. It also maintains a database of all known animal species, including information on their conservation status.

Answer – D. Bhagabatpur
Explanation-The Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project is a marsh crocodile conservation project located in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve in West Bengal, India. The project was started in the mid-1970s with the aim of increasing the number of marsh crocodiles in the Sundarbans. The project is located on the bank of the Saptamukhi estuary, adjacent to the Lothian Island.

Answer – C. 1973
Explanation-The tiger conservation project in India, commonly known as “Project Tiger,” was introduced in 1973. It was launched with the aim of protecting and conserving the endangered Bengal tigers and their habitats across various tiger reserves in India. Project Tiger has played a significant role in tiger conservation efforts by implementing measures to combat poaching, habitat destruction, and human-wildlife conflicts.

Answer – C. Land covered with snow
Explanation-Among the options given, land covered with snow reflects back more sunlight compared to the others. This is due to the high albedo (reflectivity) of snow. Snow has a high reflectance, meaning it reflects a significant portion of the incoming solar radiation back into the atmosphere, which contributes to cooling the Earth’s surface. In contrast, sand desert, paddy crop land, and prairie grassland absorb more sunlight and have lower reflectivity.

Answer –C. Gambusia Fish
Explanation- The release of Gambusia fish into ponds and wells can help in controlling mosquitoes. Gambusia, also known as mosquito fish, feed on mosquito larvae, effectively reducing their population in stagnant water bodies. This natural method of biological control is often employed as a mosquito control strategy, particularly in areas where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent.

Answer – D. Nitrous oxide and Sulphur dioxide
Explanation-Acid rain is primarily caused by the pollution of the environment by nitrous oxide (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions. These pollutants are released into the atmosphere from various sources, including the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) in power plants, industrial processes, and vehicle emissions. When nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide combine with moisture in the air, they form nitric acid and sulphuric acid, respectively, which then fall to the ground as acid rain.

Answer – D. None of the above
Explanation-‘Green accounting’ refers to an accounting system or approach that incorporates the environmental impact and sustainability aspects into economic measurements and decision-making processes. It aims to assess the economic value of natural resources, ecosystem services, and environmental assets in order to have a more comprehensive understanding of the true costs and benefits of economic activities. It does not specifically indicate the level of environmental pollution, the counting of environmental bodies, or the level of greenery in the world.

Answer – B. Rajasthan
Explanation-Rajasthan, a state in India, has the highest utilization of solar energy in the country. It has favorable solar irradiance conditions and a significant number of solar power projects, including large-scale solar parks and installations. The state government of Rajasthan has implemented various policies and initiatives to promote solar energy generation, attracting investments and contributing significantly to India’s solar energy capacity.

Answer – B. Carbon monoxide
Explanation-Cigarette smoking is harmful to health due to the emission of various toxic substances, including carbon monoxide (CO). When tobacco is burned, carbon monoxide is released as a byproduct of incomplete combustion. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can bind to hemoglobin in the blood, reducing its ability to transport oxygen to the body’s tissues. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke can lead to serious health problems, including cardiovascular diseases and respiratory issues.

Answer – B. France
Explanation-France has agreed to help India set up the Jayitapur Nuclear Power Station. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in 2016, and France has since submitted a technical and commercial offer to India. The Jayitapur Nuclear Power Station is a proposed nuclear power plant in India. If built, it would be the largest nuclear power generating station in the world by net generation capacity, at 9,900 MW. The power project is proposed by Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and would be built at Madban village of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra.