NEOCODE

Public Awareness & Case Studies MCQs

Section 1: Public Awareness & Case Studies

1. The "Paryavaran Vahini" program was launched to:

Correct Answer: b) Engage youth in environmental protection

Explanation:
Paryavaran Vahini is a youth volunteer program launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to involve young people in environmental conservation activities, awareness campaigns, and local ecological initiatives.

2. World Environment Day is celebrated on:

Correct Answer: b) June 5

Explanation:
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th, established by the United Nations in 1972 during the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Each year has a different theme and host country.

3. The "Eco-Mark" label in India certifies:

Correct Answer: b) Environment-friendly products

Explanation:
The Eco-Mark is a certification mark issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for products that meet specific environmental criteria and quality requirements. It covers various product categories from soaps to paper.

4. The "Ganga Action Plan" (GAP) was launched in:

Correct Answer: b) 1985

Explanation:
The Ganga Action Plan was launched in June 1985 by Rajiv Gandhi as the first major River Action Plan to improve water quality through interception, diversion, and treatment of domestic sewage.

5. The "Namami Gange" program focuses on:

Correct Answer: b) Cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga

Explanation:
Namami Gange is an integrated conservation mission launched in 2014 with a budget of ₹20,000 crore, focusing on sewage treatment infrastructure, riverfront development, river surface cleaning, biodiversity conservation, and public awareness.

6. The "National Green Corps" (NGC) targets:

Correct Answer: b) School children for environmental education

Explanation:
NGC is a program of the Ministry of Environment that establishes Eco-Clubs in schools (called "Eco-Clubs") to educate students about environmental issues through activities like tree plantation, waste management, and water conservation.

7. The "Green Rating Project" evaluates:

Correct Answer: b) Environmental compliance of industries

Explanation:
Initiated by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the Green Rating Project assesses industries on parameters like resource efficiency, pollution control, and environmental management systems to promote sustainable industrial practices.

8. The "Himalayan Cleanup" campaign addresses:

Correct Answer: b) Plastic waste in mountain regions

Explanation:
The Himalayan Cleanup is an annual event since 2018 that involves waste collection and audits across Himalayan states to highlight the plastic pollution crisis in fragile mountain ecosystems and push for better waste management policies.

9. The "Majuli Island" in Assam is threatened by:

Correct Answer: b) River erosion and floods

Explanation:
Majuli, the world's largest river island, has lost over half its area (from 1,250 sq km to 483 sq km) due to Brahmaputra river erosion. Climate change has increased flooding frequency, threatening its unique Vaishnavite culture and biodiversity.

10. The "Sunderbans" are vulnerable to:

Correct Answer: b) Rising sea levels and cyclones

Explanation:
The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest and tiger habitat, faces submergence of islands (4 have disappeared since 1980s), increased salinity from sea level rise (3.14 mm/year), and more intense cyclones like Amphan (2020) that damage embankments.

11. The "Aravalli Range" faces environmental degradation due to:

Correct Answer: b) Mining and deforestation

Explanation:
Illegal mining (especially in Rajasthan and Haryana), urban encroachment (Gurugram), and deforestation have degraded the Aravallis - India's oldest mountain range that acts as a groundwater recharge zone and Delhi-NCR's green lung.

12. The "Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant" protests were about:

Correct Answer: b) Radiation risks and displacement

Explanation:
The People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) led protests (2011-2013) against the Russian-built plant in Tamil Nadu, citing Fukushima-like risks, inadequate safety measures, and impacts on fishing communities. The plant became operational in 2013.

13. The "Yamuna Action Plan" aims to reduce:

Correct Answer: b) Industrial and sewage pollution in the Yamuna

Explanation:
The Yamuna Action Plan (YAP) is a bilateral project between India and Japan launched in 1993 to reduce pollution load in the Yamuna river. Phase I and II focused on building sewage treatment plants (STPs), common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), and improving sewer networks. Despite spending over ₹1,500 crore, the Yamuna remains heavily polluted, carrying 70% of Delhi's waste.

14. The "Coal India Case" (2014) in the Supreme Court addressed:

Correct Answer: b) Illegal coal mining and environmental damage

Explanation:
In the landmark 2014 judgment, the Supreme Court cancelled 214 out of 218 coal block allocations made since 1993, declaring them illegal and arbitrary. The court noted these allocations caused significant environmental harm without proper clearances. A compensation levy of ₹295 per ton of coal extracted was imposed, generating over ₹10,000 crore for environmental remediation.

15. The "Zero Budget Natural Farming" (ZBNF) promotes:

Correct Answer: b) Chemical-free farming and sustainability

Explanation:
ZBNF is a farming method developed by Subhash Palekar that eliminates chemical inputs, relying instead on: (1) Bijamrita (seed treatment), (2) Jiwamrita (microbial culture), (3) Mulching, and (4) Waaphasa (soil aeration). Andhra Pradesh aims to convert all 6 million farms to ZBNF by 2030, reducing input costs by 80% while improving soil health.