[DAY 35] 60 DAY RAPID REVISION (RaRe) SERIES for UPSC Prelims 2024 – ENVIRONMENT, CURRENT AFFAIRS & CSAT TEST SERIES!

Solution (b)

• Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), also called the Atlantic ridley sea turtle, is the rarest species of sea turtle and is the world’s most endangered species of sea turtle. It is one of two living species in the genus Lepidochelys (the other one being L. olivacea, the olive ridley sea turtle
• This species of turtle is called Kemp’s ridley because Richard Moore Kemp (1825–1908) of Key West was the first to send a specimen to Samuel Garman at Harvard, but the origin of the name “ridley” itself is unknown.
• Kemp’s ridley is the smallest of all sea turtle species, reaching maturity at 58–70 cm (23–28 in) carapace length and weighing only 36–45 kg (79–99 lb)
• It is listed as Critically endangered and in CITES APPENDIX I.

Solution (c)

Note:

Conservation Reserves:

• It is a state-owned area adjacent to National Parks and sanctuaries for the protection of the landscape, seascape, and habitat of fauna and flora. It is overseen by a Conservation Reserve Management Committee.
• After consulting with local communities, the State Government may declare any area owned by the Government as a conservation reserve.
• Tiruppadaimarathur conservation reserve in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu is the country’s first conservation reserve.
• The village community made an effort to protect the birds that nest in their village and acted to establish a conservation reserve.
• The rights of people who live within a Conservation Reserve are unaffected.
• There are 100 existing conservation reserves in India, covering an area of 4927.28 km2, or 0.15 percent of the country’s geographical area.

Community Reserves:

• The State Government may designate any community land or private land as a Community Reserve if the members of that community or individuals involved agree to offer such areas for the protection of fauna and flora, as well as their traditions, cultures, and practices.
• The designation of such an area aims to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the people who live in such areas while also conserving wildlife.
• A Community Reserve Management Committee oversees the Reserve.
• Where a community or an individual has volunteered to conserve wildlife and its habitat, the State Government may declare the area as community land by notification.
• There shall be no change in land use pattern within the Community Reserve unless authorised by a resolution passed by the Management Committee and approved by the State Government.
• There are 219 existing community reserves in India, covering an area of 1446.28 km2, or 0.043 percent of the country’s geographical area.

Solution (a)

Solution (c)

Solution (b)

Solution (a)

Solution (d)

Panna Biosphere Reserve-

• Panna Biosphere Reserve is a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.
• The BR includes, 3 Protected Areas i.e., Panna National Park, Gangau & Ken-Gharial sanctuaries.
• The major ethnic groups here are Gond, Khairuas, and Yadavas.
• The region is the most sacrosanct pilgrimage for the followers of the Pranami sect world over.

Solution (b)

Kanha National Park-

• Kanha National Park is nestled in the Maikal range of Satpuras in Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India that forms the central Indian highlands.
• Spreading across two revenue districts the Mandala and the Kalaghat, Kanha National Park was declared a reserve forest in 1879 and revalued as a wildlife sanctuary in 1933. Its position was further upgraded to a national park in 1955.
• The Kanha National Park is the ideal home for wide ranges of wild creatures; right from the mighty tigers to the most populated Barasingha and the countless species of plants, birds, reptiles and insects.
• This reserve has fascinated many travelers around the corners of the world with its well- developed infrastructure specially meant for them. The best location here to enjoy the most is the Bammi Dadar, also known as the Sunset Point.

Solution (b)

Solution (b)

Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve-

• The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is located in the southernmost end of the Western Ghats.
• Western Ghats and incorporates peaks towering 1,868 m above sea level. Consisting mostly of tropical forest, the site is home to 2,254 species of higher plants including about 400 that are endemic. It is also a unique genetic reservoir of cultivated plants, in particular cardamom, jamune, nutmeg, pepper and plantain. Three wildlife sanctuaries, Shendurney, Peppara and Neyyar, are located in the site, as well as the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger reserve.
• The reserve is home to Kani tribes from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which number in total approximately 30,000 inhabitants. The community uses a wide variety of biological resources for sustenance but is rarely involved in their commercialization.

Solution (c)

Reserved Forests:

• Reserve forests are the most restricted forests and are constituted by the State Government on any forest land or wasteland which is the property of the Government.
• In reserved forests, local people are prohibited, unless specifically allowed by a Forest Officer in the course of the settlement.
• In reserved forests, activities like lumbering, grazing and hunting are banned.
• The first reserve forest in India was Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Protected Forests:

• The State Government is empowered to constitute any land other than reserved forests as protected forests over which the Government has proprietary rights and the power to issue rules regarding the use of such forests.
• This power has been used to establish State control over trees, whose timber, fruit or other non-wood products have revenue-raising potential.
• In protected forests, sometimes the local community has got the rights for activities like hunting and grazing as they are living on the fringes of the forest because they sustain their livelihood wholly or partially from forest resources or products.

Village forest:

• Village forests are the one in which the State Government may assign to ‘any village community the rights of Government to or over any land which has been constituted a reserved forest’.

Solution (a)

Note:

Slender Loris:

• The Slender Loris is a small nocturnal primate.
• These animals are about 25 cm long and have long, thin arms.
• They weigh around 175 grams.
• They have a small vestigial tail.
• Their most prominent feature is a pair of two large, closely set brown eyes.
• Being arboreal they spent most of their lives on trees.
• Apart from insects, they are known to eat leaves, flowers, slugs and sometimes eggs of birds.
• Scientific name – Loris tardigradus
• The Slender Lorises (Loris) are a genus of Loris native to India and Sri Lanka.
• It comprises of two species-

1. Red Slender Loris found in Sri Lanka
2. Gray Slender Loris found in Sri Lanka and India

Solution (d)

Note:

In-situ conservation:

• The in-situ approach includes the protection of a typical ecosystem through a network of protected areas on land or sea.
• When we conserve and protect the whole ecosystem, its biodiversity at all levels is protected. E.g., we save the entire forest to save the tiger. This approach is called in in-situ (on site) conservation.
• The biosphere reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are part of in-situ conservation.
• In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected as biosphere reserves, national parks, sanctuaries, reserved forests, protected forests and nature reserves.

Ex-situ Conservation:

• When there are situations where an animal or plant is endangered or threatened and needs urgent measures to save it from extinction, ex-situ (off-site) conservation is the desirable approach.
• In this approach, threatened animals and plants are taken out from their natural habitat and placed in special setting where they can be protected and given special care.
• Zoological parks, botanical gardens, wildlife safari parks and seed banks serve this purpose.
• There are many animals that have become extinct in the wild but continue to be maintained in zoological parks.
• In recent years ex-situ conservation has advanced beyond keeping threatened species.
• Now gametes of threatened species can be preserved in viable and fertile condition for long periods using cryopreservation techniques.
• Eggs can be fertilized in vitro, and plants can be propagated using tissue culture methods.
• Seeds of different genetic strains of commercially important plants can be kept for long periods in seed banks.
• The national gene bank at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Delhi is primarily responsible for conservation of unique accessions on long-term basis, as base collections for posterity, predominantly in the form of seeds.

Solution (b)

Solution (c)

Note:

Nokrek Biosphere Reserve:

• The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is located in the northeast of India on the Tura Range, which forms part of the Meghalaya Plateau (average altitude: 600 metres).
• The entire area is mountainous and Nokrek is the highest peak of the Garo hills, rising up 1,412 metres.
• The north of the reserve embraces rather gently undulating hills, while steep slopes characterize the south.
• The biosphere reserve contains major rivers and streams that form a perennial catchment system. Examples include the Ganol, Dareng and Simsang rivers, of which the latter is the longest and largest.
• The Simsang originates in the north of the Biosphere Reserve, the Dareng from the southern peaks, and the Ganol flows westward into the Brahamputra River, which supplies water to numerous towns.
• The reserve is also home to highly vulnerable and threatened fauna species, such as the Slow Loris, Petaurista philippensis (Giant flying squirrel) and Macaca leonina (Pig-tailed macaque).
• Also, other endangered animals, such as tigers, leopards, and elephants live here.
• The Hoolock Gibbons found here are the most endangered apes in India.

Solution (b)

Solution (c)

In situ and ex situ conservation focuses on the maintenance of species diversity within or away from their natural habitats, respectively.

In-situ conservation:

• Reserved & Protected Forests
• Wildlife Sanctuaries or wildlife refuges
• National Park
• Biosphere Reserve
• Tiger Reserves
• Conservation Reserves
• Community Reserves
• Sacred Groves

Ex-Situ Conservation:

• Botanical garden
• Zoo
• seed banks
• botanical gardens
• aquariums

Solution (b)

Solution (b)

Note:

Black-Naped Pheasant pigeon:

• Before the recent rediscovery in September 2022, Black-Naped Pheasant-Pigeon was first and last seen in 1882.
• It is a large, terrestrial pigeon having black and orange feathers and red eyes.
• It feeds on seeds and fallen fruits.
• The species is endemic to Fergusson Island in Papua New Guinea.
• It split from the species Otidiphaps nobilis, which diverged from all other species some 26.1 million years ago. Otidiphaps nobilis is part of the Columbidae family, which diverged from all other species during the Paleogene period, some 32.7 million years ago.
• The population is dwindling because of the loss of forest habitats, which is caused by the logging and conversion for subsistence agriculture gardens. Conservation activities of the species’ habitat are few and far between.
• In July 2021, though the species’ population is undetermined, it was listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with an estimated population of 50 to 249 birds.

Solution (c)

Note:

Important Bird Area:

• An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) is an area identified using an internationally agreed set of criteria as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations.
• IBA was developed and sites are identified by Birdlife International.
• There are over 13,000 IBAs worldwide.
• These sites are small enough to be entirely conserved and differ in their character, habitat or ornithological importance from the surrounding habitat.
• Forty percent of India’s IBAs fall outside the Protected area network and thus form an important tool for landscape-level conservation planning.
• In the United States the Program is administered by the National Audubon Society.
• Often IBAs form part of a country’s existing protected area network, and so are protected under national legislation.
• Legal recognition and protection of IBAs that are not within existing protected areas varies within different countries.
• Some countries have a National IBA Conservation Strategy, whereas in others protection is completely lacking.

Solution (c)

• The Rhine River originates from the southeastern part of the Swiss Alps in the Canton of Grisons, Switzerland. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It is the 12th longest river in Europe, stretching approximately 1,230 kilometers from its source in Switzerland to its mouth on the North Sea in the Netherlands.
• It flows through six countries – Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Netherlands, and Liechtenstein. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
• The major cities along the Rhine include Basel (Switzerland), Cologne, Bonn, Duisburg, Mainz, Leverkusen, and Neuss (Germany), Strasbourg (France), and Rotterdam and Utrecht (Netherlands).
• It is called Rhein in Germany, Rijn in Dutch, Rhenus in Latin, Renos in Celtic, and Rhin in French. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• It flows in a northward direction from its sources in Switzerland through the other five countries and then turns west into the North Sea.
• Its tributaries include Aare, Tamina, Plessur, Rotach, Wiese, Moselle, Erft, and Rein da Tuma. Hence statement 4 is correct.

Solution (c)

• Sohagibarwa Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh. It was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary in June 1987.
• It shares the international boundary with Nepal on its north. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It shares a border with Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve on its east.
• Its topography is almost flat vast alluvial plain with an average height of 100mtrs above mean sea level.
• The area gently slopes from North–West to South–East.
• It is drained by the Gandak and Pyas Rivers. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• It is inhabited by a variety of animals which mainly include Leopard, Tiger, Jungle Cat, Small Indian Civet, Langur, etc.
• Its vegetation is dominated by moist deciduous forests. Hence statement 3 is correct.

Solution (b)

• The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) is a statutory body formed as per the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act of 1992. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It was mainly established to hear appeals against orders passed by the SEBI or by an adjudicating officer under the SEBI Act.
• SAT has the same powers as vested in a civil court under the code of civil procedure while trying a suit.
• It hears appeals against the orders issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in relation to cases filed before it. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• It hears appeals against the orders issued by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in relation to cases filed before it.
• It consists of one Presiding Officer and such number of Judicial and Technical members as the Central Government may determine. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
• The person so appointed as the presiding Officer should meet the following requirements:
• The retired or sitting judge of the Supreme Court
• Chief Justice of the High Court
• Judge of the High Court, who has completed at least seven years of service as a judge in a high court.
• Judicial Member: Judge of the High Court for at least five years of service
• Technical Member: Secretary or an Additional Secretary in the Ministry or Department of the Central Government or any equivalent post in the Central Government or a State Government; or Person of proven ability, integrity, and standing, having special knowledge and professional experience of not less than 15 years in the financial sector, including the securities market, pension funds, commodity derivatives, or insurance.

Solution (c)

• Radon is an inert, colourless, and odourless gas. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• usually exists at very low levels outdoors, but the gas can accumulate in areas without adequate ventilation, such as underground mines.
• It can damage DNA and potentially cause lung cancer. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• According to the WHO, radon is estimated to cause between 3% to 14% of all lung cancers in a country, depending on the national average radon level and smoking prevalence.
• It is formed naturally when radioactive metals (uranium, thorium, or radium) break down in rocks, soil, and groundwater. Hence statement 3 is correct.

Solution (b)

• The Sargasso Sea is the only sea on Earth that has no coastline. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It is named for Sargassum, a hadopelagic, golden drift algae that can aggregate to form extensive floating mats on the surface of the ocean.
• It is located entirely within the Atlantic Ocean. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
• It provides habitats, spawning areas, migration pathways, and feeding grounds to a diverse assortment of flora and fauna, including endemic, endangered, and commercially important species.
• It is bounded by ocean currents on all sides. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• The Gulf Stream establishes the Sargasso Sea’s western boundary, while the Sea is further defined to the north by the North Atlantic Current, to the east by the Canary Current, and the south by the North Atlantic Equatorial Current.

Solution (b)

• The United Nations declared 2024 the International Year of Camelids. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• A Camelid refers to any of the even-toed ungulates of the family Camelidae.
• They are known for their remarkable adaptations to arid and high-altitude environments.
• Camels, llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicunas are examples of Camelids. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• They are even-toed ungulates. These mammals are characterized by having soft-padded, snowshoe-like feet where each foot has two toes.
• They have long necks and slender legs.
• Their upper lips are split into two independent mobile protrusions.
• The Old World Camelids are found in Northern Africa and Central Asia whereas the New World Camelids are found in Southern America. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• The Old World Camelids include the dromedary camels (one-humped camel) and the Bactrian camels (two-humped camel).
• The New World Camelids include the modern llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicunas.
• These animals are herbivorous, primarily feeding on vegetation, and have a unique digestive system that allows them to extract nutrients from fibrous plant material.
• They are ruminants, but, unlike other ruminants, the Camelids have true canine teeth. Their stomachs have three chambers, in contrast to other ruminants that have four.

Solution (d)

• Patriot PAC-3 [Phased Array Tracking to Intercept of Target (PATRIOT) Advanced Capability-Three (PAC-3)] Missile is one of the most advanced air defence systems in the US arsenal. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• It is designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft.
• It is a surface-to-air-defence guided missile system with all-weather capabilities. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
• It has been exported to Germany, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.

Solution (b)

• Sardine fishes are found all over the world from the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the waters around South America. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• It belongs to the herring family, Clupeidae.
• These are small, silvery, elongated fishes with a single short dorsal fin, no lateral line, and no scales on the head.
• Sardine run occurs due to sudden changes in the temperature of sea surface water. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Solution (a)

• National Transit Pass System (NTPS) aims to facilitate the seamless transit of timber, bamboo, and other forest produce across the country. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It offers seamless transit permits, managing records for both inter-state and intra-state transportation of timber, bamboo, and other forest produce obtained from various sources like private lands, government-owned forests, and private depots.
• Presently, 25 States and Union Territories have embraced the unified permit system, streamlining interstate business operations for producers, farmers, and transporters.
• It is launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Solution (c)

• District Mineral Foundation (DMF) is a trust set up as a non-profit body under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act 2015.
• Its purpose is to work in the interest and benefits of persons and areas affected by mining-related operations in a manner as may be prescribed by the respective State Government.
• The operation of DMFs falls under the jurisdiction of the relevant State Government.
• The composition and functions of the District Mineral Foundation shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government.
• It is funded through the contributions from the holders of major or minor mineral concessions in the district, as may be prescribed by the Central or State Government.
• In any district affected by mining related operations, the State Government shall, by notification, establish a trust, as a non-profit body, to be called the District Mineral Foundation.

Solution (b)

Length of the 1st train = 105 m

Length of the 2nd train = 90 m

Relative speed of the trains,

= 45 + 72 = 117 kmph

= ((117*5)/18)

= 32.5 m/sec

Time taken to cross each other,

= (Length of 1st train + length of 2nd train)/relative speed of the trains

Therefore, Time taken = (195/32.5)

= 6 secs

Solution (c)

W → 9

E → %

A → 2

K → $

S → #

I → 7

T → @

So,

WAIT = 927@

Solution (c)

Each one coded with either a single colour or unique two-colour pair.

Therefore, total number of ways = n + ⁿC₂

Let’s analyze the answer choices.

If there are 5 different colors, the number of codes that can be formed is 5C1 + 5C2 = 5 + 10 = 15, which is not sufficient for the 20 different chemicals.

If there are 6 different colors, the number of codes that can be formed is 6C1 + 6C2 = 6 + 15 = 21, which IS sufficient for the 20 different chemicals. Therefore, we need at least 6 different colors.

Minimum number of different colour needed to code all 20 chemicals will be 6

Solution (c)

Let the number = x

According to the question,

= x-(2/5)x = 75

= (5x-2x)/5 = 75

= 3x = 75*5

x = 125

Solution (a)

Narayan’s saving and rent = 1000 + 1800 = Rs. 2800

Let his monthly income be Rs. 100

30% of his income he spent on education i.e. Rs. 30

Remaining = 100 – 30 = 70

50% of remaining on food = (70*50)/100

Rs. 35

Now, that 35 must be equal to his saving and rent i.e.

35 = 2800 then,

1 = (2800)/35

100 = (2800*100)/35

= Rs. 8000

So, his income = Rs. 8000