UPSC Essentials | Daily quiz by subject — Environment, geography, science and technology (week 24) | UPSC News

3. Annual groundwater extraction for irrigation, domestic and industrial uses has increased.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) The three

(d) None

QUESTION 2

In reference to leptospirosis, consider the following statements:

1. It spreads through contaminated water.

2. The disease usually affects animals.

3. It can be treated with antibiotics.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) The three

(d) None

QUESTION 3

In reference to Red Sanders, consider the following statements:

1. It is a fragrant variety of sandalwood that grows mainly in rocky and hilly regions.

2. This variety is found in Palakonda and Seshachalam hills.

3. It is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) The three

(d) None

QUESTION 4

The Lower Ambalipura Lake has been in the news due to the death of thousands of fish. The lake is located at:

(a)Karnataka

(b)Tamil Nadu

(c)Gujarat

(d)Maharashtra

QUESTION 5

Consider the following pairs:

How many of the pairs given above match correctly?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) The four

ANSWERS TO MCQS

1.(d)

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

— According to the last groundwater assessment report released by ministry of Jal ShaktiAnnual groundwater extraction for irrigation, domestic and industrial uses decreased by about 6 billion cubic meters (bcm) to 239 Bcm in 2022 compared to 2020.

— The report – National Compilation on Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India, 2022 – states: “The total annual groundwater recharge for the entire country from 2022 onwards has increase of 1.29 Gm3 compared to the last assessment (2020). Therefore, statement 1 is not correct.

— Annual extraction of groundwater for irrigation, domestic and industrial uses has decreased by 5.76 billion cubic meters. Therefore, statement 3 is not correct.

— Total annual extractable resources in GW increased by 0.56 Gm3.

— About 87 percent of the total annual groundwater extraction, or 208.49 billion cubic meters, is for irrigation. Only 30.69 billion cubic meters are for domestic and industrial use, about 13 percent of total extraction.

— The main source of groundwater recharge is monsoon rainfallor 241.35 billion cubic meters and about 55 percent of the total annual groundwater recharge. Statement 2 is therefore not correct.

— Other sources include seepage from canals, irrigation return flow, recharge from reservoirs, ponds and water conservation structures, taken together, accounting for 39 percent.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

2.(c)

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

— After heavy rains in BombayThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a warning regarding leptospirosisa bacterial disease.

— This disease usually affects animals and can spread to humans if they travel through waterlogged areas. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct.

— Leptospira, a bacteria found in animal feces and urine, can infect humans if they are exposed to it.

— Common symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, rash, body aches, and vomiting. This can be treated with antibiotics. Therefore, statement 3 is correct.

— However, if leptospirosis is left untreated, it can cause kidney damage and even prove fatal.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

3.(b)

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

— THE The Revenue Department (DRI) seized 4,229 megatons of red sandersestimated at Rs 3.4 crore, from a godown at Sanand on the Ahmedabad suburbs.

— Red sandersbotanical name Pterocarpus santalinus, is a unscented variety of sandalwood which grows mainly in rocky and hilly regions. Therefore, statement 1 is not correct.

— The plants reach 8 to 10 m in 3-4 years, but their development subsequently decreases. The trunks are narrow and the tree’s beautiful dark red wood takes at least 20 to 25 years to be useful.

— It is found in the thorn scrub/dry deciduous forests of the Central Deccan, between 500 feet and 3000 feet above sea level. Geographically, in the Palakonda and Seshachalam Hills and the Nallamalla forests. Some contiguous patches of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka experience wild vegetation. Statement 2 is therefore correct.

— Red Sanders is a rapidly disappearing species restricted to a small geographic area. Logging is illegal and export is heavily restricted. Permission is required to fell and sell even trees on private farms.

— Red Sanders is a species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild fauna and flora. Therefore, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

4.(a)

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

— THE Lower Ambalipura Lake In Bengaluru HSR Layout is proof that joint public efforts can lead to a thriving and sustainable ecosystem around a body of water. The deaths of thousands of fish have raised suspicions that untreated sewage is entering the lake.

— The seven-acre lake was restored by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike in 2008-09 at a cost of Rs 56 lakh. The lake was de-silted and excess vegetation was removed. It has a wetland that serves as a habitat for flora and fauna.

— More than 1,200 trees were counted during a tree census carried out on the edge of the lake. Four apartments around the lake have installed sewage treatment plants, there is no possibility of leakage of untreated sewage.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

5.(a)

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

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