Environmental Studies Mock Test - 3

Concept:

Urbanization:​

• Urbanisation means the increase in the proportion population of a country that lives in urban areas.
• Urban areas are characterised by high human population density and vast human-built features.
• Urban areas are like cities or towns, developed by the process of urbanisation.
• Due to heavy population, urbanisation and industrialisation, several problems and threats have arisen in urban areas.

Explanation:

Benefits of rapid urbanization:

• A skilled workforce is created due to the increase in population in urban areas.
• This workforce then attracts the corporation companies that create jobs, it increases employment.
• For better job opportunities or employment, people migrate.
• In the urban areas, due to large-scale migration people get better living conditions like roads, schools, water pipes and more vehicles, and quality of life gets deteriorated.
• People need more wealth so they move to urban areas.
• In urban areas, people can get better security and face less crime.
• More fertile land means more food which also causes urban migration.
• The urban area most of the time politically stable so, people move there.

Thus, employment is a benefit of rapid urbanisation.

Additional InformationProblem of urban areas:

Concept:

Gandhian economy:​

• This school of economic thought was based on the spiritual and socio-economic principles, laid by Mahatma Gandhi.
• He found that western economic systems were unsustainable and devastating to the human spirits as they were based on the multiplication of needs.
• Gandhi's model was aimed at fulfilment of needs, so this model contained elements of protectionism, nationalism, non-violence and rejection of class war in favour of socio-economic harmony.
• Gandhiji worked to develop ways to fight India's extreme poverty, backwardness and socio-economic challenges.
• Gandhi's campaign of swadeshi and non-cooperation was centred on principles of economic self-sufficiency.

Concept:

Population density:

• Population density is calculated as the number of persons per unit area.
• Each unit of land has a limited capacity to support the people living on it.
• Hence, it is necessary to understand the ratio between the number of people to the size of land.
• It is usually measured in persons per sq km. 
• Density of Population = Population/Area.

Explanation:

Birth or Natality Rate:

• A birth rate is the average number of young ones added to the population per unit time (usually per year).
• The birth rate is highest among women around the age of 20 years.
• The maximum birth rate a species can achieve under ideal environmental conditions is called Potential Natality.
• But the actual birth rate, under existing conditions, is much less, called 'Realised Natality'.
• Natality = Number of births per year/Number of population per year×1000.

Thus, natality refers to the birth rate.

Additional InformationDeath or Mortality Rate:

• The mortality rate is the average number of individuals that die per unit time (usually per year).
• An individual may die but the population shows a death rate.
• Minimum mortality is due to physiological changes of old age.
• Better nutrition and better health facilities can decrease the infant mortality rate.

A number of individuals entering a habitat or immigration:

• People migrating into a territory are called immigrants.
• In this kind of migration, people enter a foreign country mainly because of permanent residency.
• Here people or individuals enter into a population, which increases the population density.

A number of individuals leaving the habitat or emigration:

• A place from where people have moved out is called emigration.
• People who moved called themselves emigrants.
• It is an outward movement of individuals.
• It reduces the population density.

• The first official census of India was conducted in 1881.
• The decennial Census of India has been conducted 15 times, as of 2011.
• It began in 1872, the first complete census was taken in 1881.
• It has been undertaken every 10 years
• All the censuses since 1951 were conducted under the 1948 Census of India Act. The last census was held in 2011. The next will be held in 2021.

Concept-

The national ambient air quality standards in India were first notified in 1994, under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.

These standards have, however, been recently revised by notifying much tougher air quality standards on 16:11:2009, under which, unlike the old norms, the residential and industrial areas will have the same standards.

Additionally, as compared to the regulation of only five pollutants under the old standards, now 12 pollutants are required to be monitored.

The highly dangerous pollutants, like PM 2.5, ozone gas (ground-level ozone), lead, benzene, benzo (a) pyrene, arsenic, and nickel have been included for regulation under the new norms.

S No.	Pollutant	Time-weighted Average	Concentration in ambient air
			Industrial, Residential, Rural and other areas	Ecologically, Sensitive Area (notified by Central Government)
(1)	Sulphur dioxide (SO2) μg/m3	Annual	50	20
		24 hrs	80	80
(2)	Nitrogen dioxide(NO2), μg/m3	Annual	40	30
		24 hrs	80	80
(3)	Particulate Matter (size less than 10 μg/m3) or PM 10, μg/m3	Annual	60	60
		24 hrs	100	100
(4)	Particular Matter (size less than 2.5 μm) Or PM 2.5, μg/m3	Annual	40	40
		24 hrs	60	60
(5)	Ozone (O3), μg/m3	Annual	100	100
		24 hrs	180	180
(6)	Lead (Pb), μg/m3	Annual	0.50	0.50
		24 hrs	1.0	1.0
(7)	Carbon Monoxide (CO), mg/m3	8 hrs	02	02
		1 hr	04	04
(8)	Ammonia (NH3), μg/m3	Annual	100	100
		24 hrs	400	400
(9)	Benzene (C6H6), μg/m3	Annual	05	05
(10)	Banzo (a) Pyrene (BaP) – particular phase only, ng/m3	Annual	01	01
11	Arsenic, ng/m3		06	06
12	Nickel, ng/m3		20	20

 

According to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the permissible limit of NO2 (24 hr. average) in ambient air in a residential area is 80 µg/m3.

Concept:

Nutrient cycle:

• When energy and matter are transferred between living and non-living organisms of the environment then this system is known as the nutrient cycle.
• Examples of nutrient cycles are the hydrogen cycle, nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle etc.

Deforestation:

• Deforestation is the process of removing trees from forests (or other places) on a big scale in order to facilitate human actions.
• It is a major environmental issue.
• Some of the major causes of deforestation are:
  • Agriculture.
  • Logging.
  • Mining and urban expansion.

Explanation:

​Effects of deforestation: 

• Deforestation increases the temperature and pollution level on the earth.
• It increases the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Groundwater level also gets lowered.
• Deforestation disturbs the balance in nature.
• It also causes soil erosion.
• Moreover, there will be increased chances of natural calamities such as floods and droughts.
• Deforestation leads to global warming as carbon dioxide is the heat rays reflected by the earth.
• The increase in temperature on the earth disturbs the water cycle and may reduce rainfall, this could cause droughts.
• Deforestation also leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil.

Important Points

Nutrient Recycling:

• Because of deforestation nutrient recycling stops due to a break in the chain.
• For example:
  • Deforestation causes the removal of carbon sinks where carbon dioxide is stored in the plants.
  • Huge quantities of CO2 as a result remain in the atmosphere.
  • The nitrogen cycle is also disrupted as plants absorb ammonium and nitrate during the assimilation process, after which they are converted into nitrogen-containing organic molecules, such as amino acids and DNA. 
  • Deforestation leads to the build-up of organic and nitrogenous compounds in the soil.
  • The entire recycling process remains suspended and takes a longer period of time to complete the entire cycle. 

Thus, the incorrect statement about the effects of deforestation is, that it speeds up nutrient recycling.

The solution is Plastics

Concept

• Waste generated mainly consists of biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials.
• Non-biodegradable materials such as plastic, glass, metal scraps, etc. are sent for recycling.
• Biodegradable wastes are deposited in landfills and converted into compost.

Explanation

• Soil pollution is defined as, “contamination of soil by human and natural activities which may cause harmful effect on living organisms”
• Soil pollution mainly occurs due to  Industrial wastes, Urban wastes, Agricultural practices, Radioactive pollutants, and Biological agents.
• Biodegradable waste is easily decomposed by the microbes in the soil.
• Non-biodegradable waste cannot be decomposed by the microbes and thus remains in the soil for a long period of time deteriorating the quality of the soil.

Waste	Time taken to Degrade
Styrofoam Container	> 1million years
Plastic jug	1million years
Aluminum can	200-500 years
Tinned Can	90 years
Leather Shoe	45 years
Wool Socks	1 year
Paper Bag	1 month
Banana Peel	3-4 weeks

Thus, Plastic is the most important causative pollutant of soil.

Concept:

Pollution:

• Pollution can be defined as the addition of various contaminants into the natural environment that causes adverse changes.
• Pollution can be in the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light.
• Air is a mixture not only made of various gases but also includes various pollutants which are damaging our environment.
• Pollutants are the components or agents of pollution which can be either foreign substances or naturally occurring contaminants.

Pollutant:

• An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem and man-made assets too.
• The polluting substance or air pollutant can be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases.
• A pollutant can be from a natural origin or a man-made source.
• Pollutants can be classified as primary or secondary.
• Primary pollutants are usually produced from a process so that they enter directly into the atmosphere.
• Example: Volcanic eruption gasses, carbon monoxide gas, sulphur dioxide etc.
• Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly, rather they are from a source in the air when primary pollutants react, through chemical change.
• Example: Tropospheric ozone, smog etc. 

Explanation:

Hydrogen sulphide:

Sources:

• Its main sources are bacterial sources, sulphate reduction, thermal cracking of kerogen or oil, and gas souring.

Properties:

• It is a chemical compound
• Its chemical formula is H₂S.
• It is soluble in water and alcohol.
• Hydrogen sulphide is a foul-smelling gas.
• It is well known for its rotten egg-like odour.

Effect on human life:

• Exposures to hydrogen sulphide for short periods can result in fatigue of the sense of smell.
• It causes irritation in the eye and respiratory problems.
• It also causes a vomiting sensation.

Thus, hydrogen sulphide pollutant causes the burning sensation of the throat and eyes and vomiting sensation.

Additional InformationSulphur:

• The sulphur chemical symbol is S and the atomic number is 16.
• Sulfur is a natural element that is found in the environment naturally.
• But when sulfur reacts with oxygen it creates sulfur dioxide which is a major cause of air pollution these days.
• Coal, petrol, and diesel are some fuels that contain sulfur.
• So when they are burnt, they create a high amount of SO₂ as a pollutant.
• Sulfur dioxide pollution can cause problems in the respiratory system, mainly in lung function.
• It can cause problems in the eyes. 

Hydrogen cyanide:

• It is a kind of chemical compound.
• Its chemical formula is HCN.
• This compound is also known as prussic acid.
• It is colourless, extremely poisonous and flammable.
• Its main source is blast- furnace, gas work, petroleum refineries etc.
• It is mainly used for the production of potassium cyanide, and adiponitrile, and is used in plastics.
• it can cause different kinds of health problems like dyspnea, hyperpnea, seizures etc.

Arsenic substances:

• It is a chemical element and its symbol is As and its atomic no is 33.
• Burning of fossil fuels, mining, and metal smelting are some of the major sources of arsenic substance pollution in the environment.
• Arsenic substance pollution can cause cancer in the skin, bladder, and lungs.

Concept:

Growth curve:

• It is a curve on a graph representing the growth of a part, organism, or population as a function of time.
• The growth curve could be Exponential or Logistic.
• In an Exponential growth curve (theoretically) the density would eventually be increasing at an infinite rate.
• In Logistic Growth Curve the population density would stabilize near the carrying capacity of the population.

Carrying capacity:

• Carrying capacity is the maximum population that a given area can sustain.
• It is the maximum number of organisms that can be supported by a given habitat, based on the number of resources available (such as food, nutrients, shelter, and space).

Explanation:

S-shaped curve:

• The logistic growth curve is an S-shaped curve or Sigmoid curve obtained when the number of entities is plotted against time.
• The logistic growth curve reflects the fact that any environment has a limit to the number of individuals of a particular species that it is capable of supporting.
• S-shaped or Logistic growth curve is characterized by increasing growth in the beginning period.
• But a decreasing growth at a later stage, as you get closer to a maximum capacity.
• In an ideal environment, populations grow at an exponential rate.
• However, exponential growth is not possible because of factors such as limitations in food, competition for other resources, disease, etc.
• Populations eventually reach the carrying capacity or saturation capacity of the environment, causing the growth rate to slow nearly to zero.
• This produces an S-shaped curve of population growth also known as the logistic growth curve.​

Thus, a logistic growth curve depicting a population that is limited by a definite carrying capacity is shaped like the letter S.

Additional Information

J-Shapes curve:

• A J-shaped growth curve occurs in a new environment where the population density of an organism increases rapidly in an exponential or logarithmic form.
• It then stops abruptly as environmental resistance (e.g. seasonality) or some other factor (e.g. the end of the breeding phase) suddenly becomes effective. ​
• Exponential population growth will occur in an ideal environment where resources are unlimited.
• In such an environment there will be no competition to place limits on a geometric rate of growth.
• Initially, population growth will be slow.
• As population numbers increase the rate of growth similarly increases, resulting in an exponential (J-shaped) curve.
• This maximal growth rate for a given population is known as its biotic potential.
• Exponential growth can be seen in very small populations or in regions that are newly colonized by a species.

​

Concept:

Genetic diversity:

• A single species might show high diversity at the genetic level over its distributional range.
• Genetic diversity gives species a better chance of survival.
• To protect potentially critical features that could be utilised to combat an unanticipated future pest or adapt to the needs of the world's food supply, genetic diversity is required in agriculture.

Explanation:

Introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds:

• High Yielding Variety Seeds (HYV seeds) have a high-yielding capability and are resistant to insects and illnesses.
• These seeds are of higher grade and are a superior choice for plentiful and healthy crop output.
• The introduction of high-producing variants causes the rest of the species to be eliminated or cultivated to a minimum.
• The high-yielding variety subsequently takes over through pollination and other cultivation processes.
• As a result of the dominance of high-producing varieties, genetic diversity cannot be recognised.

Thus, genetic diversity in agricultural crops is threatened by the introduction of high-yielding varieties.

Additional InformationIntensive use of fertilizers:

• In today's world, every commercial crop production field uses a high and excessive amount of chemical fertilizer and pesticides in their field.
• The farmers think using excessive amounts of inorganic fertilizer and pesticides will increase the productivity of the crop field.
• Using these chemicals in high amounts in a field can lead to soil pollution and chemical transfer to crops. 
• It reduces the essential micronutrients present in the soil.
• These chemicals and pesticides are also responsible for the degradation of soil.
• Intensive use of fertilizer does not affect genetic diversity in the agriculture field.

Extensive intercropping:

• Intercropping is a kind of agriculture in which two or more crops are grown together than just one crop.
• In this kind of agriculture in one growing season and in the same piece of land multiple crops are grown simultaneously.
• It is a form of polyculture.
• In this process, farmers can double the production from the same bit of land.
• Due to the interaction between the crops, it boosts yield while also reducing disease transmission.
• Examples: Onion, tomatoes, and marigold are grown together as an example of intercropping.
• Extensive intercropping does not affect genetic diversity in the agriculture field.

Intensive use of biopesticides:

• Biopesticides are those biological agents that are used for the control of weeds, insect and pathogens.
• The micro-organisms used as biopesticides include viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and mites.
• Biopesticides improve soil quality and cause minimal damage to the plant.
• Intensive use of biopesticides does not affect genetic diversity in the agriculture field.

Concept:

Conservation of biodiversity:

• Conservation of biodiversity entails the preservation, enhancement, and scientific management of biodiversity in order to keep it at its current level and reap long-term benefits for current and future generations.
• It is mainly two types: ex-situ and in-situ conservation.

Ex-situ conservation:

• In this approach, threatened animals and plants are taken out from their natural habitat and placed in special settings where they can be protected and given special care.
• Ex situ conservation, examples are zoos, herbarium, gene banks etc. 

In-situ conservation:

• It is the protection and management of biological diversity through a network of protected areas in their own natural habitat.
• It helps to maintain the genetic diversity of all species and varieties.
• It maintains a viable population of native species, subspecies and varieties.
• It maintains communities, ecosystems, and habitats to adapt to environmental changes.
• In situ conservation, examples are national parks, sanctuaries, natural reserves, biosphere reserves, hotspots etc. 

Explanation:

In vitro fertilization:

• It is a kind of ex-situ conservation method.
• Eggs are fertilised in vitro.
• In vitro fertilisation is a method of fertilisation in which an egg and sperm are fertilized in a laboratory setting.
• The procedure entails monitoring and stimulating a female's ovulatory cycle, as well as extracting an ovum or ova from the female and allowing sperm to fertilise them in a laboratory culture medium.

Cryopreservation:

• Gametes of threatened species can be preserved in viable and fertile conditions for long periods using cryopreservation techniques in ex-situ conservation.
• Cryopreservation is a technique for preserving organelles, cells, tissues, and other biological constructions by rapidly freezing them to extremely low temperatures.
• The responses of live cells to the creation of ice are both theoretically and practically interesting.

Tissue culture:

• Tissue culture is a method of biological research in which animal or plant tissue fragments are moved to an artificial environment where they can survive and function.
• A single cell, a population of cells, or a whole or part of an organ can all be cultured.

Thus in-vitro fertilization, cryopreservation, and tissue culture all are examples of ex-situ conservation methods.

Concept:

Population explosion:

• Rapid population growth is referred to as a population explosion.
• Population explosion is the result when the birth rate is more than the death rate.
• The overall development in various fields like health facilities and better living conditions decreased the death rate.
• While the birth is going at a good pace.
• This creates a great difference between the birth rate and death rate.
• And results in a population explosion.

Explanation: 

Some major causes of population explosions are:

• Advancement of the health care facilities.
• Better living conditions.
• Widening gap between birth and death rates.
• High illiteracy.
• Low marriage age.
• Improved agriculture productivity.

Thus,the main cause of population explosion in the world is excellent healthcare.

Concept:

National Park :

• These areas are reserved for wildlife where they can freely use the habitats and natural resources.
• These areas are maintained by the government and reserved for the betterment of wildlife.
• These reserves are large and diverse enough to protect whole sets of ecosystems.
• They preserve flora, fauna, landscape and historic objects of an area.
• Cultivation, grazing, forestry and habitat manipulation are not allowed in National parks.
• There are more than one hundred National Parks in India.
• Jim Corbett is the first National Park of India.

Explanation:

Gir forest:

• The Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Talala Gir, Gujarat.
• This National park was established in 1965.
• It is the Asiatic Lion's only known habitat.
• The park covers a total area of 1,412 km², with 258 km² designated as a national park and 1,153 km² designated as a wildlife sanctuary.
• About 507 plant species are found here.
• In 1977, the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project was established in Gir National Park.

Thus, the tiger is not resident in Gir National park.

Additional InformationRanthambore:

• The Ranthambore National Park is located in the state of Rajasthan.
• The tiger population and other species in Ranthambore National Park are well-known.
• The park was first formed in 1955.
• It had a total area of 282 km².
• It is also home to 539 flowering plant species. 

Sunderbans:

• It is located in the swampy delta of the river Ganga in West Bengal.
• It extends over a vast area of 9,630 sq. km and consists of mangrove forests, swamps and forested islands.
• Sunderbans is the home of nearly 200 Royal Bengal tigers.
• The tangled mass of roots of mangrove trees provides safe homes for a large number of species, from fish to shrimp.
• More than 170 bird species are known to inhabit these mangrove forests.
• Adapting itself to the saline and freshwater environment, the tigers at the park are good swimmers, and they hunt scarce prey such as chital deer, barking deer, wild pigs and even macaques.

Jim Corbet National Park:

• Hailey National Park or Jim Corbet National Park, India's first and oldest national park, was established on August 8, 1936.
• The reserve was 324 square kilometres in size.
• It is also the first national park in Asia.
• This National park is known for its Bengal tigers and their conservation.
• 110 tree species, 50 species of mammals, 580 bird species and 25 reptile species are found here.
• In 1954-55, it was renamed Ramganga National Park, then in 1955-56, it was renamed, Corbett National Park.

Key Points

Hardness of water: 

• Hardness in water is that characteristic that prevents the formation of sufficient leather or foam, when such hard waters are mixed with soap.
• It is usually caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium salts present in water, which form scum by reaction with soap.
• The process of removal of hardness from water is known as Water softening.​

Important Points

Removal of hardness:

1. Temporary hardness: The temporary or carbonate hardness, which is caused by carbonates and bicarbonates of Ca and Mg or bivalent cations.

The methods of removing temporary hardness:

1. Boiling  
2. Addition of lime.

2. Permanent hardness: The permanent or non-carbonate hardness, which is caused by the sulphates, chlorides and nitrates of Ca and Mg are removed by special methods.

The methods of removing permanent hardness

• Lime soda process
• Base exchange process
• Demineralization​

​Thus, the hardness of water can be removed by Lime.

Additional InformationPermanent Hardness: It is due to the presence of soluble salts of magnesium and calcium in the form of chlorides and sulphates in water.

• Permanent hardness is not removed by boiling.
• Ion-exchange method:
  • ​This method is also called the zeolite/permutit process.
  • In this method, the permanent hardness of water is removed by using resins.
  • Ca++/Mg++ ions are exchanged with Cl–, SO4-2 ions are exchanged with anion exchange resin (RNH2OH). Demineralized water is formed in this process.
  • Hydrated sodium aluminium silicate is zeolite/permutit.
  • For the sake of simplicity, sodium aluminium silicate (NaAlSiO4) can be written as NaZ.
  • When this is added to hard water, exchange reactions take place.

Permanent hardness can also be removed by:- 

Treatment with washing soda (sodium carbonate):-  Washing soda reacts with soluble calcium and magnesium chlorides and sulphates in hard water to form insoluble carbonates.

• Sodium carbonate is water-soluble in nature and hence, adds a large number of carbonate ions to the water.
• Because of this, the calcium ions come from hard water and the carbonate ions from sodium carbonate.

In most of the Indian big cities, the dominant source of air pollution is the transport sector.

Air pollution:

1. Air pollution is the modification of the air by mixing with some particles and gases that are injurious to health and wealth which is undesirable
2. Air pollution is a common phenomenon nowadays with the advancement of technology
3. It is dominated in urban areas more than rural areas.

Transport sector

• The transportation sector is an important industrial sector in the economy that deals with the movement of people and products.
• These include companies such as airlines, trucking, railroads, shipping, and logistics firms, as well as those that provide transportation infrastructure.
• Passenger travel is responsible for 60% of CO₂ emissions from transportation, with freight accounting for the other 40%. In 2018, a total of 24% of global CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion came from transportation.
• In 2014, road transport was the most significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector in India, with about 90 percent of emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from this sector mainly involved burning fossil fuels by on-road vehicles.
• Air transport is extremely polluting – but so are cars. Air traffic represents less than 2-3% of the global CO₂ emissions whereas road traffic accounts for around 10% of these direct emissions. Still, planes remain among the most polluting means of transport, together with cars.

 

Causes of air pollution:

1. Vehicular pollution: transport sector is the major cause behind originating dust and smoke in city regions
2. Industrial emissions: emission of industrial waster like ashes, dust, gases, smoke, etc.
3. Thermal power plants: fly ash and black smoke after burning coal is a cause of making layer in the lower atmosphere which causes urban heat island or virtual desert situation
4. Burning of fossil fuel: burning of coal for domestic purposes and use of petrol and diesel also cause pollution
5. Construction dust: it is another source of aerosol particles
6. Waste burning: waste burning produces a huge amount of CO2 
7. Use of cheap and dirty fuels such as wood and cow-dung for cooking.

The above diagram presents the percentage share of different sources of air pollution in a city. 

• Water disinfection means purifying the water by killing or deactivating microorganisms or pathogens. 
• Various methods are used to disinfect the water.

Key Points

Chlorine

• Chlorine (Cl), chemical element, the second lightest member of the halogen family elements, or Group 17 (Group VIIa) of the periodic table.
• Chlorine is a toxic, corrosive, greenish-yellow gas that is jittery to the eyes and to the respiratory system.
• Chlorination ​is the process of adding chlorine to the water to kill pathogens or disinfect the water.
• It is an effective method of water purification.
• Chlorine kills a large variety of microorganisms.
• They are the most prefred and common method of water purification on regular basis.

Ozone: 

• At present Ozone is also being used as a disinfectant for the purification of water.
• Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent which gets dissolved in water easily and produces a broad spectrum biocide that kills all bacterias, viruses.
• Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent which is 51% stronger than chlorine and its effective rate is 3.125 times faster than other disinfectants.
• However, they are not the preferred method of water purification in cities as they are very expensive to use and requires a proper setup.

Iodine:

• Iodine is an effective, simple, and cost-efficient means of water disinfection.
• Iodine used for water purification is commonly added to water as a solution.
• The iodine kills many, but not all, of the most common pathogens present in natural freshwater sources.
• It is the preferred method of water purification in the case of emergencies.

Radiation:

• Ultraviolet (UV) rays are part of the light that comes from the sun.
• UV in water purification technique is known to be an effective disinfectant due to its strong germicidal (inactivating) ability.
• UV disinfects water containing bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.
• UV does not add any chemical taste or odour to the water.
• It is a very expensive method of water purification and is usually done for a smaller setup.

​Thus, iodine is used for emergency disinfection of water.

Concept:

Greenpeace:

• Green Peace is a non-governmental environmental organisation with offices in over forty countries and has its headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• It was founded by Bill Darnell and Dorothy Stouce in 1971 in Vancouver, Canada.
• Green Peace is known for its direct actions and is one of the most visible environmental organisations in the world.
• It covers issues such as climate change, deforestation, overfishing, commercial whaling, genetic engineering and anti-nuclear issues.
• The mission of Green Peace is to ensure the ability of the Earth to nurture life in all its diversity and focuses on worldwide issues.

Explanation:

The focus of Greenpeace:

• Climate change is one of the most threatening scenarios for both human and non-human life forms.
• Protecting our marine reserves by defending our oceans.
• Protecting the forest biodiversity.
• Creating a toxin-free future by decreasing the use of hazardous chemicals.
• Encouraging a campaign for sustainable agriculture by encouraging better farming practices.
• Promoting peace, disarmament and non-violence.

Thus, the mission of Greenpeace is to ensure the ability of Earth to nurture life in all its diversity.

Concept:

WWF or World Wide Fund for Nature:

• The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental organisation founded on April 29, 1961.
• It has its headquarters in Switzerland.
• It is the world's largest conservation organisation with, over 5 million supporters.
• The source of its fund is approximately 57% from individuals and around 17% from government sources (like World Bank, DFID, and USAID).
• It has around 11% funds from Corporations.

Explanation:

WWF goals:

• The WWF works closely with the world conservation union and has partnerships with United Nations, the World Bank and European Union. 
• WWF devotes its entire global effort to attaining six primary goals: forests, oceans, wildlife, food, climate and energy, and water.
• Goals of WWF:
  • To conserve the world's biological diversity. 
  • To ensure that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable.
  • To promote the reduction of pollution.
  • To promote the reduction of wasteful consumption. 
  • To encourage millions to support conservation.
  • To ensure that the value of nature is reflected in decisions made by governments, businesses, individuals, and communities.

• The mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
• It focuses on the conservation of 3 biomes that contain most of the world's biodiversity, oceans and coasts, forests and freshwater ecosystems, endangered species, pollution and climate change.

Concept:

Soil:

• Soil is one of the most important natural resources.
• Soil is the mixture of rock debris and organic materials which develop on the earth’s surface.
• It provides anchorage to the plants and supplies water and nutrients.
• Soil is essential for agriculture. 
• Soil is of different types: clayey, loamy and sandy.

Explanation:

Loamy soil:

• The best topsoil for growing plants is loam.
• Loamy soil is a mixture of sand, clay and another type of soil particle known as silt.
• Silt occurs as a deposit in riverbeds.
• The size of the silt particles is between those of sand and clay.
• The loamy soil also has humus in it.
• It has the right water holding capacity for the growth of plants. 

Thus, the best soil for growing plants is loamy soil.

Additional InformationClayey soil:

• The proportion of fine particles is relatively higher, then it is called clayey soil.
• Clayey soils have less air.
• Clayey soil is used to make pots, toys and statues. 

Sandy soil:

• If soil contains a greater proportion of big particles it is called sandy soil.
• This kind of soil has a low nutrient level.
• The water holding capacity of this soil is low.

Silty soil:

• Filtration of water can be a problem in this kind of soil.
• It has a higher proclivity for forming a crust.
• It has the potential to become compact and firm.

• When air is contaminated by unwanted substances which have a harmful effect on both the living and the non-living, it is referred to as air pollution.
• The substances which contaminate the air are called air pollutants.
• The sources of air pollutants are factories, power plants, automobile exhausts and the burning of firewood and dung cakes.
• Harmful effects depend on the concentration of pollutants, duration of exposure and the organism. 

​

Ground Level Ozone:

• Tropospheric, or ground-level ozone, is not emitted directly into the air.
• It is a secondary air pollutant.
• It is also known as bad ozone.
• It is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
• This happens when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources chemically react in the presence of sunlight.
• Ozone is most likely to reach unhealthy levels on hot sunny days in urban environments.
• It can still reach high levels during colder months.
• Ozone can also be transported long distances by wind, so even rural areas can experience high ozone levels. 
• Ground-level ozone affects health like breathing problems and watering of eyes.
• It affects plant life by slowing its growth and germination.
• It is the main ingredient in the formation of “photochemical smog."​

​

Thus, NOx, Sunlight and VOC's help in the formation of ground-level ozone.

Good Ozone:

• Called stratospheric ozone, good ozone occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere.
• It forms a protective layer that shields us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.
• This beneficial ozone has been partially destroyed by manmade chemicals, causing what is sometimes called a "hole in the ozone."
• The good news is, this hole is diminishing. 

Concept:

Feminist political ecology:

• It is a feminist approach to political ecology that draws on Marxism, Post-structuralism, Feminist Geography, Ecofeminism, and Cultural Ecology theories.
• Intersectional social connections are analysed as an aspect of ecological and political ties in feminist political ecology.

Eco-Feminism:

• Ecofeminism describes movements and philosophies that link feminism with ecology.
• This movement seeks to eradicate all forms of social injustice, not just injustice against women and the environment.
• Its advocates say that paternalistic/capitalistic society has led to a  harmful split between nature and culture.
• Ecofeminism believes that "feminine" values such as reciprocity, nurturing and cooperation, are present both among women and in nature.

Explanation:

Chipko movement:

• In India, it was a campaign to save the forests.
• The movement began in 1973 in Uttarakhand's Himalayan area.
• It since then has become a rallying point for many other environmental campaigns across the world.
• In India, it established a precedent for non-violent protest.
• Sunderlal Bahuguna contributed to the movement's rise to prominence by leading a 5,000-kilometer trans-Himalaya march from 1981 to 1983.
• He travelled from village to village, gaining support for the movement.
• Dr Vandana Shiva started her ecology movement by volunteering with the famous Chipko movement.
• Vandana Shiva always believed that women have a connection with the environment as they interact with nature far more than men on a daily basis.

Thus, the Chipko movement could be construed as the foundation of feminist political ecology in India.

Additional InformationSwadeshi movement:

• The Swadeshi movement sought to oppose British rule and encourage the ideas of self-help, swadeshi enterprise, national education, and the use of Indians.
• It started on 7 august 1905.
• After wealthy Indians gave money and property to Khadi and Gramodyog groups, which began fabric manufacture in every home, the movement grew in size and scope.
• Other village industries were also introduced in order to make the village self-sufficient and self-reliant.

Satyagrah movement:

• It was in South Africa that Mahatma Gandhi first generated the distinctive techniques of non-violent protest known as satyagraha.
• The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was Mahatma Gandhi's first satyagraha activity in British India.
• It is regarded as a key moment in the Indian independence movement.
• The Champaran Satyagraha gave direction to India's youth and liberation struggle, which was torn between moderates supporting Indian participation in the British colonial system.

Independence movement:

• The Indian independence movement was the fulfilment of a sequence of historic events aimed at abolishing British control in India.
• It lasted for a total of 57 years, from 1857 to 1947.
• Bengal was the birthplace of the first patriotic revolutionary movement for Indian independence.

Concept:

Gandhian economics:

• This school of economic thought was based on the spiritual and socio-economic principles, laid by Mahatma Gandhi.
• He found that western economic systems were unsustainable and devastating to humans as they were based on the multiplication of needs.
• Gandhi's model was aimed at fulfilment of needs, so this model contained elements of protectionism, nationalism, non-violence and rejection of class war in favour of socio-economic harmony.
• Gandhiji worked to develop ways to fight India's extreme poverty, backwardness and socio-economic challenges.
• Gandhi's campaign of swadeshi and non-cooperation was centred on principles of economic self-sufficiency.

Explanation:

Self-sufficient village:

• It was first coined by Gandhiji.
• According to Gandhiji, every person needs to be provided with basic necessities like food, shelter and clothing.
• He was in favour of a self-sufficient village economy where villages will be the independent economic units means, villages will develop their economies on their own to fulfil their basic requirements using eco-friendly production techniques.
• He preferred the use of wells and better irrigation instead of hydroelectric projects.
• Gandhiji was against the zamindari system and according to him, ownership of land should be the actual tillers of the soil.
• He talked of communal ownership of land for balanced cultivation and surplus should be distributed to village communities.
• Necessary goods and services for village members should be grown within the village agricultural sector.
• He laid stress on khadi, handloom, sericulture and handicrafts.

​Thus, self sufficient village means villages that develop their economies to meet their basic requirements.

Concept:

Green politics:

• Green politics can be defined as a political ideology whose aim is to create an ecologically sustainable society whose roots lie in environmentalism, non-violence, social justice and democracy.
• It began in the western world in 1970.
• Supporters of Green Politics share ideas with ecology conservation, environmentalism, feminism and peace movements.
• Green politics, often known as ecopolitics, is a political theory based on ecology and other social issues.
• The party is typically considered left-wing on the political spectrum.

Explanation:

Four pillars of green politics:

• It includes designing political processes where the decision-making authority is shifted to the lowest geographic or social level of organisation.
• It is one of the reliable governance models for achieving social change.
• The principle is for democratic power to be exercised.
• It must be vested in the local community and decision-making power must be vested with the representatives of the local community.

Ecological Wisdom:

• Ecological wisdom can be defined as "Whatever we take from the earth, we must give back to the earth".
• We have to recognise the negative impact of human beings on the natural environment, the planet, and the biosphere.
• After we recognise the negative impact on humans we need to reduce its impact. and find alternate ways to create harmony with Earth's various forms of life.

• Social justice is justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and distinctions between class, sexual orientation or culture.
• Social justice assigns rights and duties in the institutions of society which enables people to receive the basic benefits and burdens of cooperation.
• The institutions can prevent the strong from exploiting the weak.

•             ​​Non-violence is the personal practice of being harmless to not only self but also others under any circumstance.
• The Green movement's policy rejects the use of violence to overcome its opponents.
• It comes from the belief not to hurt people, animals and the environment.

Thus, the four pillars that define Green Politics are grassroots democracy, ecological wisdom, social justice, and non-violence. The correct options are B, C, D, and E.

Additional InformationUrbanization:

• Urbanisation means the increase in the proportion population of a country that lives in urban areas.
• Urban areas are characterised by high human population density and vast human-built features.
• Urban areas are like cities or towns, developed by the process of urbanisation.
• Due to heavy population, urbanisation and industrialisation, several problems and threats have arisen in urban areas.

Concept:

Village:

• It is a kind of small settlement.
• This kind of settlement is mainly found in rural areas.
• The size of this settlement is generally larger than a hamlet but it is smaller than a town.
• The number of inhabitants in the village is mainly between 500-2500.

Explanation:

Development:

• The goal of development is to improve people's and places' economic and social conditions.
• It's also about fairness and improving human capabilities.
• The basic unit of development under the integrated rural development programme (IRDP) is a village.
• This IRDP's main objective is to provide employment to the poor in rural areas, enhance their living standard, and develop their skill set.
• Water, sanitation, housing, a lack of poverty, electricity, health, the environment, education, and employment are all indicators of a village's development.

Thus, the village is the basic unit of development.

Additional InformationUrbanisation:​

• Urban areas are characterised by high human population density and vast human-built features.
• Due to heavy population, urbanisation and industrialisation, several problems and threats have arisen in urban areas.

Industrialization:

• When an economy of a place is transformed from agriculture-based to producing manufacturing goods then this process is called industrialization.
• This industrialization increased the standard of living.

• Socialization is the process to conform to the norms and roles required for integration into a community by acquiring knowledge, language, value and social skill.
• A family is the basic unit of socialization. 

Concept:

Ecosystem:

• An ecosystem is a structural and functional unit of nature and it comprises abiotic and biotic components.
• Abiotic components are inorganic materials, air, water and soil, whereas biotic components are producers, consumers and decomposers.

Biodiversity:

• Biodiversity itself is a combination of two words, Bio (life) and diversity (variety).
• Biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region.
• It refers to the varieties of plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form.
• It relates to the variability among living organisms on the earth, including the variability within and between the species and that within and between the ecosystems.
• Biodiversity can be discussed at three levels: Genetic diversity, Species diversity and Ecosystem diversity.
• Genetic biodiversity:
  • Genes are the basic building blocks of various life forms.
  • Genetic biodiversity refers to the variation of genes within species.
• Species diversity:
  • ​​The diversity at the species level.
  • It relates to the number of species in a defined area.
• Ecological diversity:
  • ​It refers to when the different organism is associated with different habitats and environments symbiotically.
  • Rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs, wetlands, and estuaries,  have a greater ecosystem diversity.

Explanation:

Coral reef:

• It is an underwater ecosystem built by reef-building coral.
• The reef mainly creates colonies of coral polyps.
• This reef-bound together by calcium carbonate.

Coral reef biodiversity:

• Whether a place will have maximum or minimum biodiversity that depends upon some factors like temperature, altitude, topology, precipitation and coexistence with others etc.
• For having a maximum population of various organisms the region needs the most cumulatively resilient levels of biodiversity.
• The coral reef provides maximum global diversity.
• Coral reefs provide an important ecosystem in the sea.
• Thousands of species live in one reef.
• It provides diverse life.
• Coral reefs mainly harbour 25% of the marine ecosystem, comprising different kinds of fish species sea mammals, microorganisms and invertebrates.
• There are two main coral reefs that have a great impact on maximum biodiversity.

Thus, the coral reefs have maximum biodiversity.

Additional InformationMangroves biodiversity:

• Tropical and subtropical coastal areas with mangrove forests show a high favourable, high amount of biodiversity.
• Mangroove provides maximum territorial biodiversity.
• Mangroove considers a biodiversity hotspot because they help a vast array of species like a bird, fish, reptiles, and mammals in their lifecycle by providing nutrient-rich habitat and by helping them to filter coastal water. 

Desert biodiversity:

• Biodiversity is very low in desert ecosystems.
• There are few species that can live in this kind of extreme climate.
• Low rainfall, lack of water and high temperature make the desert a very tough place for living.
• Some species that live in the desert are lappet-faced vulture camels, ratel snakes, and different kinds of cactus.

Alpine meadows:

• It is a zone line that presents below the high mountain zone.
• It occupies an upland slope as well as the low lands.
• It is a dense and thick carpet of short grass and small plants.
• The biodiversity that it provides has a different kind of grass-like herbaceous, sedge, Kobresia etc and animals like yak, alpine ibex, snow leopard, and different kinds of insects.
• This biodiversity provides harbour to several endemic species of plants and animals.

Concept:

Water Logging: 

Agricultural land is said to be waterlogged when the root zone of the crops gets flooded with the high water table and becomes ill-aerated. Productivity gets affected by waterlogging problems.

The main causes of waterlogging are as follows:

• Inadequate drainage facilities
• Over and Intensive irrigation
• Presence of impermeable strata
• Nature of soil
• Seepage from canals
• The topography of the land
• Frequent flooding

Control of waterlogging:

• Waterlogging can be controlled by the provision of efficient drainage to drain away from the stormwater and excess irrigation water by use of surface and sub-surface drainage. These drainages will check and reduce the water percolating in the soil mass, thus reducing the chances of waterlogging.

​The provision of a single-window system for applying for import clearance is called SWIFT( Single Window Interface For Facilitating Trade).​​​

Important Points

• SWIFT: Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT) means the provision of a single-window system provided by the Customs to the importer and Custom House Agent to apply for import clearance
• As part of the “Ease of Doing Business” initiatives, the Central Board of Excise & Customs, Government of India has taken up implementation of the Single Window Project to facilitate the Trading across Borders in India.
• 'India Customs Single Window' would allow importers and exporters, the facility to lodge their clearance documents online at a single point only.

 

Additional InformationFSMS (Food Safety Management System): 

A set of systems that are interrelated and which when used in combination

ensure that food is safe for human consumption.

• It includes procedures and controls laid down by FSSAI.
• It incorporates Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and some others laid down by FSSAI.

 

IEC (Importer- Exporter Code):

• The Importer -Exporter Code (IEC) is a key business identification number that is mandatory for Exports or Imports.
• The nature of the firm obtaining an IEC may be any of the following- "Proprietorship, Partnership, LLP, Limited Company, Trust, HUF, and Society."

 

FOSTAC (Food Safety Training & Certification):-

• It is a large-scale training program for food business operators.
• All food businesses having Central Licences or State Licenses should have at least one trained and certified food safety supervisor for every 25 food-handlers or part thereof on all their promises.

Prior to 1960, farmers in the country used to cultivate traditional varieties of wheat and rice.

• These varieties had a very low yield per hectare. In 1950 and 1960, to increase food production, the various agricultural inputs such as seeds, irrigation facilities, fertilizers, and pesticides were systematically improved.​
• Before independence, the economy was 95% dependent on agriculture and the revenues earned from agriculture.
• Concerning agriculture, the situation of the Indian economy on the eve of independence was disheartening.
• Agriculture, even after being the most important sector, was facing economic deterioration and stagnation in the economy.​ 

Key Points

• The Indian economy was facing the adverse effects of the zamindari system, which is the practice of making farmers work and collect rent as tax, irrespective of the situation before independence. 
• The scarcity of agricultural resources led to the stagnancy in agriculture.
• The commercialization of agriculture meant moving from growing goods for their consumption to growing for the market.
• The existence of middlemen prevented the development of the economic condition of the farmers, which caused stagnation in the agriculture sector.

​So, we can say that the condition of the Indian Agriculture Sector before independence is Stagnation.

Explanation - 

OZONE LAYER:

• The ozone layer is an area or a continuous region in the stratosphere of the earth that includes high concentrations of ozone(O3) and protects the earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
• It has the ability to absorb the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, which can damage life on Earth.
  • UV radiation, which is made up of various types of photons, is found in sunlight. UVA and UVB rays are the two forms of UV radiation you're probably most familiar with.
  • These rays can have a variety of effects on your skin.
  • The comparison between the UV A and UV B is : 

CHARACTERISTIC	UV A	UV B
energy level	minimum	medium
Wavelength	Longest	Medium
Ozone layer absorption	Not absorbed by the ozone layer	absorbed by the ozone layer (almost all )
Skin cell effected	affecting cells deeper in the skin	Affecting cells on the top layer of the skin
Damage to DNA	Indirect damage	Direct damage
Source	Sunlight	Sunlight
Penetration	More penetration than UV B	Lesser penetration than UV A

• The ozone layer thus doesn't allow the penetration of only UV B radiations coming from the sun to the earth. 

Hence, the following harmful radiations from the sun are absorbed by the ozone layer is - UV B (Ultraviolet Radiation or Rays B)

Additional Information

OZONE LAYER DEPLETION:

• The gradual thinning of the earth's ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine or chlorine from factories or other human activities is referred to as ozone layer depletion.
• Scientists have found a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica, which has started a rustle on the importance of this matter. 
• This has heightened their knowledge of various environmental issues and the measures that can be taken to address them.
• The thinning of the ozone layer and the presence of holes in it can lead to severe damage to the life forms present on the earth.
• Millions of people would develop skin diseases and their immune systems would be damaged if the ozone layer disappeared.

• Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs are the major cause of ozone layer depletion which releases chlorine that disrupts the ozone layer.  

The term ‘Intellectual Property Rights’ covers Copyright, Know-how& Trade dress.

The four types of intellectual property rights include:

1. Trade Secret
2. Trademarks
3. Copyrights,
4. Patents,
5. Know-how
6. Trade dress

Copyright is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their literary and artistic works. Works covered by copyright range from books, music, paintings, sculpture, and films, to computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps, and technical drawings.

Know-how means any form of technical information or assistance relating to the manufacture or placing into the operation of the said products. It also means any practical knowledge, techniques, and skill that are required to achieve some practical end. It is considered an intangible property in which rights may be bought and sold.

Trade dress protects all elements used to promote a specific service or product.

A trademark offers legal protection for a logo, symbol, phrase, word, name, or design used to show the manufacturer of a product. Trade dress protects all elements used to promote a specific service or product.

The correct answer is Irrigation.

• The most appropriate use of rainwater harvesting is irrigation.

Key Points

• Rainwater harvesting:
  • Rainwater harvesting is the simple process or method used to conserve rainwater by collecting, storing and conveying of rainwater that runs off from rooftops, roads and open grounds for later use.
  • Rainwater harvesting systems consists of the following components:
    • Catchment to collect and store the captured Rainwater.
    • Conveyance system to transport the harvested water from the catchment to the recharge zone.
    • Filtering system for filtering the collected Rainwater and remove pollutants.

    • Tanks to store the filtered water which is ready to use.

Additional Information

•  Irrigation is the process of applying water to the crops artificially to make efficient use of water and to fulfil their water requirements.
• The sources of water for irrigation are wells, ponds, lakes, canals, tube-wells, and even dams. 
• Types of irrigation:
  • Sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, surface irrigation, localised irrigation, Centre pivot irrigation, sub-irrigation and manual irrigation.

The correct answer is 1-c, 2-a, 3-b.

Key Points

Rabi crops	wheat, barley, Gram Peas, mustard
Kharif crops	rice, Maize, groundnut, linseed, soybean, etc
Zaid crops	seasonal fruits, fodder crops, etc

Additional Information

• Rabi Crop 
  • ​These are the agricultural crops that are sown in winter and harvested in the spring in India
  • The term is derived from the Arabic word for "spring" which is used in the Indian subcontinent.
  • These crops are sown around mid-November, preferably after the monsoon rains are over, and harvesting begins in April/May.
  • The major rabi crop in India is wheat, followed by barley, mustard, sesame, and peas. 
• Kharif crop 
  • ​These can also be called Monson crops or autumn crops.
  • The word Kharif has origins in the Arabic language, Kharif literally means "autumn".
  • These are sown from June to November depending on the area.
  • Monsoon rains may begin as early as May in some parts of the Indian subcontinent and crops are generally harvested from the third week of September to October.
  • Rice, maize, and cotton are some of the major Kharif crops in India.​
• Zaid crops 
  • ​These are the summer crops.
  • They grow in a long time period mainly from March to June. 
  • These crops are mainly grown in the summer season during a period called the "Zaid crop".
  • They require warm dry weather as a major growth period and longer day length for flowering.
  • The Zaid crop season comes between the Rabi and Kharif crop seasons.
  • Musk melon, Watermelon, cucumber are examples of Zaid crops.​

The correct answer is Pasteurization.

Pasteurization is the processing method that involves heating foods at high temperatures for short periods in order to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

Key Points

•  Physical methods of the food preservation process.
•  Involves heat treatment.
•  Destroys the pathogenic microbes in certain foods and beverages.
•  Named after French scientist Louis Pasteur.

Important Points

• Pasteurization of milk requires one of the following conditions:
  • 63 ºC and 30 mins.
  • 72 ºC and 15 secs (High Temperature for short period).

Additional Information

• Blanching: 
  • ​Scalding the vegetables in steam or boiling water for a short period of time; After this step, quick and thorough cooling in cold water. 
  • It stops the enzymatic actions which cause loss of texture, flavor, and color in vegetables.
• Ohmic heating: 
  • Also known as Joule heating, electrical resistance heating, and direct electrical resistance heating.
  • Faster heating of food article by passing electric current.
• Irradiation: 
  • Also called Cold Sterilization.
  • Application of ionizing radiation to food to improve its shelf life.

The correct answer is 1995.

Key Points 

• World Trade Organization:
  • World Trade Organization was established in the year 1995.
  • It is an intergovernmental organization that deals with the regulation of international trade between nations.
  • Currently, 164 countries are members of this organization.
  • The current Director-General of WTO is Roberto Azevedo Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

​Thus, the World Trade Organization was established in the year1995 A.D.

Additional Information 

Organisation	Year of establishment	Headquarters
WTO (World Trade Organisation)	1995	Geneva
World Bank	1944	Washington D.C
UNDP(United National Development Programme)	1965	New York
IMF(International Monetary Fund)	1945	Washington D.C

Explanation:

It is a phenomenon in which the productivity of land gets affected due to the high water table leading to flooding of the root zone of the plants and making the root zones of the plants ill-aerated.

1. Over and intensive irrigation
2. Seepage of water from the adjoining lands
3. Impervious obstruction
4. Inadequate surface drainage
5. Inadequate natural drainage
6. Heavy rains
7. Submergence due to floods High water table

Lift irrigation:

• Irrigation with which water is supplied to the system by water-lifting devices is called pumping/mechanical/lift irrigation (by means of mechanical water-lifting devices).
• It has high operating costs. 
• It has fewer problems with waterlogging.

Extensive irrigation:

• These systems are more costly to build and to maintain.
• Irrigation service provided to end-users is often limited to only two to three irrigations per season.
• These systems often have fewer problems with waterlogging and salinity and provide incentives for the conjunctive use of ground and surface water.

Intensive irrigation

• This system uses a large amount of water, labour, and resources for a small area in order to increase production and yield.
• More prone to waterlogging as no limit to the amount of irrigation water.

Concept:

Population

• Any collection of organisms of the same species that inhabit a given area and act as part of a biotic community is referred to as a population.

Growth of Population

• The growth of population is the change in the number of people living in a particular area between two points of time.
• Its rate is expressed in percentages.
• Population growth has two components namely; natural and induced.
• While the natural growth is analysed by assessing the curve birth and death rates, the induced components are explained by the volume of inward and outward movement of people in any given area.

Explanation:

Age pyramid

• A population pyramid is used to show the age-sex structure of the population.
• The shape of the population pyramid reflects the characteristics of the population..
• The percentage of people of a certain age or age group is known as age distribution.
• Individuals of various ages make up a population at any particular time.
• When the population's age distribution is plotted, the resulting structure is known as an age pyramid.

If the age distribution (per cent individuals of a given age or age group) is plotted for the population, the resulting structure is called: Age pyramid.

Additional InformationSurvivorship curve

• The number of people in a population who can be predicted to live to a certain age is represented graphically by the survivorship curve.

Life table

• A population's life and death are recorded in a life table.
• It summarises the probability of organisms in a population living, dying, or reproducing at various phases of their life.

Logistic model

• As a population's size approaches a maximum is imposed by limited resources in the environment, known as the carrying capacity.
• It happens in logistic growth.
• The pace of per capita increase slows.

The correct answer is Livelihood agriculture.

• The form of farming in which almost all the crops are grown or reared for the subsistence of the farmer and the family of the farmer is traditionally known as Livelihood agriculture.
• Livelihood is defined as adequate stock and flow of food and cash with an individual or a family to meet its basic needs.
• Subsistence farming or smallholder agriculture is when one family grows only enough to feed themselves.

Key Points

• Primitive subsistence agriculture is practised on small patches of land with primitive tools like hoe, dao and digging sticks, and family/community labor.
  • It purely relies on monsoon, natural fertility of the soil and other environmental suitability conditions.
  • It is also called “slash and burn” agriculture wherein farmers clear the land and produce other crops till the soil fertility of the land decreases.
  • It is called “jhumming” or “jhum” cultivation in northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland.
  • In Manipur, it is called Pamlou. In Chattishgarh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, it is called Dipa.
• Intensive subsistence farming is practised in areas where there is high population pressure on land.
  • It is labour-intensive farming, where high doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation are used for obtaining higher production.
  • In this type of farming, farmers always take the maximum output from the limited land.

• Land reform involves the changing of laws, regulations or customs regarding the land ownership.
• The main purpose of land reforms in India are:
  • Rational use of Resources
  • Raising Production level
  • Removal of Exploitation
  • Social Welfare
  • Planned Development
  • Raising the Standard of living

Key Points

• Land reforms are the reforms that involve change of laws, regulations or customs with respect to the ownership of the land.
• According to the great economist Prof. According to Gunnar Myrdal, “the land reforms are the planning and institutional restructuring of the relations between the man and the land".
• At the time of independence, in most of the agricultural sector of the country, the role of mediators existed between the tenant and the owner of the land.
•  There was no guarantee of this landholding and certainty in rent. Therefore, after independence, the cultivator was given the real rights of the land.
• To do this, the process of land reform was adopted, which was considered a progressive process.

Additional Information
Following were the objectives of the Land Reforms:

• To remove the existing institutional anomalies in the agriculture sector and to rationalize and modernize the sector by steps such as land ownership, land rights, paying attention to tenant safety ,etc.
• To eliminate economic inequality and to achieve social equality.
• To obtain and establish a public welfare state.
• Eradicating poverty and imparting common beliefs among the people.
• To end the old land relations and establish a new system in which the cultivators of the land are its actual owner.
• Ending social injustice, strengthening the position of tenants and, granting equal rights for all sections of the rural population

The correct answer is Increasing production of food grains through high yielding varieties.

Key Points

• The Green Revolution in India was an introduction of High Yielding Varieties(HYV) of seeds.
• HYV seeds are those seeds that produce huge quantities of crops particularly wheat and rice.
• High Yielding Variety Seeds (HYV seeds) are seeds that are of better quality than normal quality seeds.
• The produce from these seeds is a bit more compared to the normal ones.
• These seeds are a better option of seeds in order to obtain a healthy and surplus crop.
• These seeds have a good immune system to fight with insects and other diseases.

Important Points

• The term green revolution was first used by William Gaud and Norman Borlaug is the Father of the Green Revolution.
• After Independence, Indian policy-makers adopted all measures to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains.
• In the year 1965, the government of India launched the Green Revolution with the help of a geneticist, now known as the father of the Green revolution (India) M.S. Swaminathan.
• The movement of the green revolution was a great success and changed the country’s status from a food-deficient economy to one of the world’s leading agricultural nations.
• It started in 1967 and lasted till 1978.

Additional Information 

• List of all the important Revolutions in India

Black Revolution	Related with Petroleum Production
Blue Revolution	Related with Fish Production
Brown Revolution	Related with Leather, Cocoa
Golden Fibre Revolution	Related with Jute Production
Golden Revolution	Related with Overall Horticulture, Honey, Fruit Production, Flowers, medicinal, spices.
Green Revolution	Related with Agriculture Production
Grey Revolution	Related with Fertilizers
Pink Revolution	Related with Onions, Prawn
Red Revolution	Related with Meat, Tomato Production
Evergreen Revolution	Intended for overall agriculture production growth
Round Revolution	Related with Potato Production
Silver Fibre Revolution	Related with Cotton Production
Silver Revolution	Related with Egg Production
White Revolution	Related with Dairy, Milk Production
Yellow Revolution	Related with Oil Seed Production
Round Revolution	Related with Potato

The correct answer is Net Import.

• Net Import is not the component of GNP Expenditure.

Key Points

• Gross National Product (GNP) is the total value of all finished goods and services produced by a country's citizens in a given financial year, irrespective of their location.
• GNP also measures the output generated by a country's businesses located domestically or abroad.
• It can be defined as a piece of economic statistic that comprises Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and income earned by the residents from investments made overseas.
• The formula for GNP = GDP + Net factor income from abroad
  GNP = C + I + G + X + Z
  Where C is consumption, I is investment, G is government, X is net exports, and Z is net income earned by domestic residents from overseas investments minus net income earned by foreign residents from domestic investments.

Additional Information

Net Import

• A net import is any trade condition where a country has more imports than exports.
• A country that has more trade going out is called a net import country. 
• A country that has more trade going out than imported is a net exporter.
• The condition of being a net importer is called a negative trade balance, and it is considered to be a drag on a country's economy.

Investment 

• Investment is the value of fixed capital assets produced in an economy over a period of time.
• Investment refers to the creation of capital goods.
• Investment spending is an injection into the circular flow of income.
• Investment is an asset acquired or invested in to build wealth and save money from the hard-earned income or appreciation.
• Investment is primarily made to obtain an additional source of income or gain profit from the investment over a specific period of time.

Net exports 

• Net exports are a measure of a country's total trade of goods and services.
• It is also known as the balance of trade.
• It is after deducting the nation's import value from the export value and calculated for a specific period.
• The value of a nation's total export goods and services minus the value of all the goods and services it imports equal its net exports.

Consumptions

• Consumption is defined as spending for the acquisition of utility, is a major concept in economics, and is also studied in many other social sciences.
• It is seen in contrast to investing, which is spending for the acquisition of future income. 

 "Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for use of food additives" means the food additives used under the following conditions namely:

• The quantity of the additive added to food shall be limited to the lowest possible level necessary to accomplish its desired effect.
• The quantity of the additive becomes a component of food as a result of its uses in the manufacturing, processing or packaging of a food and which is not intended to accomplish any physical or other technical effect in the food itself; is reduced to the extent reasonably possible.
• The additive is prepared and handled in the same way as a food ingredient.

Important PointsGMP

• This is a system for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards.
• It is designed to minimize the risks involved in any production that cannot be eliminated through testing the final product.
• GMP covers all aspects of production from the starting materials, premises, and equipment to the training and personal hygiene of staff.
• Detailed written procedures are essential for each process that could affect the quality of the finished product.
• There must be systems to provide documented proof that correct procedures are consistently followed at each step in the manufacturing process - every time a product is made.

The correct answer is a More detailed understanding of what drives cost.

• "More detailed understanding of what drives cost" is not considered to be a benefit of activity-based costing.
• The benefit of Activity-based costing (ABC):
  • Activity-based costing provides a more accurate method of product/service costing, leading to more accurate pricing decisions.
  • It increases understanding of overheads and cost drivers; and makes costly and non-value-adding activities more visible, allowing managers to reduce or eliminate them. 
  • ABC enables the effective challenge of operating costs to find better ways of allocating and eliminating overheads.
  • It also enables improved product and customer profitability analysis.
  • It supports performance management techniques such as continuous improvement and scorecards.

Additional Information

• Activity-based costing (ABC) is a method of assigning overhead and indirect costs—such as salaries and utilities—to products and services. The ABC system of cost accounting is based on activities, which are considered any event, unit of work, or task with a specific goal 

The correct answer is the availability of food and access to money.

Concept:

Food security: It refers to the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food to all people at all times.

Explanation:

Food security has the following dimensions:

• Availability of Food: It means food production within the country, food imports, and the previous year’s stock stored in government granaries.
• Accessibility of Food: It means food is within reach of every person.
• Affordability of Food: It implies that an individual has enough money to buy sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet one’s dietary needs.

Key Points

• India's Efforts for Food Security during the Covid-19 Pandemic:
  • High Production of Foodgrains: India registered an all-time high production of foodgrains at 305 million tonnes as well as in exports during 2020-21, contributing to global food security.
  • KISAN RAIL: It was introduced to transport the essential commodities including perishable horticulture produce, milk, and dairy products from the production centers to the large urban markets.
  • Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Under this scheme, free food grains were provided to 810 million beneficiaries and it has been further extended in which workers will benefit till November 2021.
  • PM Kisan Scheme: More than Rs.1,37,000 Crore have been sent to the bank accounts of over 100 million farmers under this to provide income support to the farmers.

Additional Information

• Food and Agriculture Organization:
  • FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
  • World Food Day is celebrated every year on 16th October to mark the anniversary of the founding of the FAO in 1945.
  • It is one of the UN food aid organizations based in Rome (Italy).
  • Its sister bodies are the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
• Initiatives Taken:
  • Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Monitors the Desert Locust situation throughout the world.
  • The Codex Alimentarius Commission or CAC is the body responsible for all matters regarding the implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
  • The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

The Correct Answer is International Development Association.

Key Points

• Soft loan: A soft loan is a loan with no interest or a below-market rate of interest.
• Also known as "soft financing" or "concessional funding". 
• Soft loans have lenient terms, such as extended grace periods in which only interest or service charges are due, and interest holidays.
• International Development Association (IDA), also called soft window of the world bank .
• It was set up in 1960.

Additional Information

• The World Bank is an international organization dedicated to providing financing, advice, and research to developing nations to aid their economic advancement.
• The bank predominantly acts as an organization that attempts to fight poverty by offering developmental assistance to middle- and low-income countries.
• The World Bank was created in 1944.
• The World Back has 189 member nations.

The correct answer is the production possibility curve.

Key Points

• The problem of choice between relatively scarce commodities due to limited productive resources with the society can be illustrated with the help of a production possibility curve.
• A production possibilities curve (PPC) shows the maximum amount of one good that can be produced given a production level for some other good, and given the total amounts of inputs available for the production of both goods, and given the technology of production.
• The PPC shows the limits on the outputs of goods because society does not have unlimited resources. And it shows the trade-off society must bear if more of a good is to be produced.

​

• The Curve shows all of the possible combinations of 2 goods or services that can be produced within a specified time with all its resources fully and efficiently employed.

Additional Information 

• The demand curve for unitary elastic demand is a rectangular hyperbola.
  • When the proportionate change in demand produces the same change in the price of the product the demand is referred to as unitary elastic demand.
• A budget line is a graphical representation of various combinations of two goods that a consumer can afford at specified prices of the products at a particular income level.
  • A budget line can be drawn on the basis of the expenditure plan.
• Marginal Utility is the change in total utility due to a one-unit change in the level of consumption.

• The Ecological science centre in India is located in Bengaluru.
• This ecological science centre was established in 1983 with the help of the "Ministry of Forest and Environment", Government of India".
• The Center for Ecological Science works under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Science.
• Bengaluru is the capital city of Karnataka, also known as Garden City and Silicon Valley.
• New Delhi is the capital of India and Vellore is a district in Tamil Nadu.

Hyderabad	Indian Institute of Chemical Technology(IICT)
New Delhi	Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment(IIEE)
Bhopal	Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM)

Kolkata	Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS)
surat	Indian Diamond Institute(III)
Mumbai	Indian Institute of Architects(IIA)

The correct answer is United States.

• United States is the largest export destination for India.

Key Points

• The United States was the largest export destination for Indian exports in the fiscal year 2020, accounting for nearly 17 percent.
• The United Arab Emirates followed at over nine percent of India's exports that same year. 

Additional Information

• Exports are goods and services that are produced in one country and sold to buyers in another.
• Exports, along with imports, make up international trade.
• The seller of such goods and services is an exporter; the foreign buyer is an importer.
• The exportation of goods often requires the involvement of customs authorities.
• Export barriers are divided into four large categories: motivational, informational, operational/resource-based, and knowledge.

 

• President of United States - Joe Biden.
• President of China - Xi Jinping.
• President of Russia - Vladimir Putin.
• President of  Pakistan - Arif Alvi.

The correct answer is (wrong statement) Loss of biodiversity causes deforestation.

Concept:

• Desertification is the process by which land becomes a desert as the quality of the soil deteriorates over time. When trees are cut down, the roots no longer hold the soil together, making it more susceptible to soil erosion.
• The process of removing trees and converting a forest into cleared land is known as deforestation.

Explanation:

• "One form of soil degradation is soil erosion, which is the displacement of the upper layer of soil." The dynamic activity of erosive agents, such as plants, animals, water, ice (glaciers), snow, air (wind), and humans, causes soil erosion.
• The soil particles are loosened or washed away in valleys, streams, oceans, rivers, or distant lands during this process. This has gotten worse as a result of human activities like agriculture and deforestation.
• Soil erosion is a major factor in desertification. It transforms the habitable regions into deserts.
  • Thus, statement 1 is correct.
• The soil's water holding capacity decreases as a result of deforestation. As a result, water movement from the soil surface into the ground is reduced. This causes the groundwater level to decrease.
• The presence of forest cover and forest cover vegetation is critical for slowing the flow of rainwater. This results in the gradual absorption of rainwater by the soil, which is critical for maintaining groundwater levels. Rainwater is not effectively absorbed by the soil as a result of deforestation, resulting in a decrease in water level.
  • Thus, statement 2 is correct.
• Overgrazing reduces the productivity, usefulness, and biodiversity of the land and is a contributing factor to deforestation.
  • Thus, statement 3 is correct.
• The variety of living organisms in a given area is referred to as biodiversity.
• Deforestation reduces biodiversity by disrupting the hydrologic cycle, destroying habitat, causing soil erosion, and, in extreme cases, can lead to desertification. Thus, the loss of biodiversity does not cause deforestation.
  • Thus, statement 4 is incorrect.

Key Points

The two major sources of energy can be classified under:

• Conventional Sources
• Non-Conventional Sources

​

• Conventional sources of energy are those energies that have been predominantly in use for the better part of civilization.
• Non-conventional sources of energy are the up and coming energy sources.

Important Points

Difference Between Conventional and Non-conventional Sources of Energy: 

Non-renewable	Renewable
They find both commercial and industrial purposes.	Most of the cases it found for household purposes.
These can be considered to be one of the reasons for the cause of pollution.	These are not responsible for the cause of pollution.
The overall efficiency of the energy source is high.	The overall efficiency of the energy source is low.
These sources of energy are not environmentally friendly.	These sources of energy are environmentally friendly.
Application: Thermal Power Plant, Nuclear Power Plant, Diesel Power Plant, etc	Application: Solar Plant, Wind Plant, Biogas Plant, Tidal Plant, Geo-Thermal Plant, etc

Mistake Points

• Most conventional sources are non-renewable in nature and most non-conventional sources are renewable in nature.
• However, not all conventional sources of energy are non-renewable, example: hydroelectric power.
• Moreover not all non-conventional are renewable in nature, example: natural gas

Thus, solar energy is a renewable and non-conventional source of energy.

The correct answer is Work and employment.

Key Points

• Migration in India
  • In the Census of India migration is enumerated on two bases:
    • Place of birth, if the place of birth is different from the place of enumeration (known as lifetime migrant);
    • Place of residence, if the place of the last residence is different from the place of enumeration (known as migrant by place of last residence).
  • As per the 2011 census, out of 1,210 million people in the country, 455.8 million (about 37%) were reported as migrants of the place of their last residence.
  • Work and employment have remained the main cause of male migration. It constitutes 38% of total male migration. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
  • 3% of the male population migrates due to business, 6% due to education, 2% because of marriage, 10% male population is migrant by birth, 25% male population has migrated with households whereas 16% of the male population migrated due to other reasons.
  • The male migration due to marriage is concentrated in Meghalaya where matriarchy is prevalent.
  • The Constitution of India (Article 19) gives the right to all citizens “to move freely throughout the territory of India and to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India.
  • As per Census 2011, 45 million Indians moved outside their district of birth for economic opportunities (be it employment or business).
  • In India, internal migration (fueled by an increasing rate of urbanization and rural-urban wage difference) is far greater than external migration.
  • India's urban population is expected to grow from 410 million in 2014 to 814 million by 2050.
  • Instead of long-term migration, there is a huge flow of short-term migrants in the country.