Mastering the dynamic and often overlapping sections of Environment and Geography is non-negotiable for any serious UPSC, SSC, or PSC aspirant. This curated quiz challenges your understanding of critical contemporary issues, from the looming threats of glacial lake outbursts in the Himalayas to the landmark international treaty governing biodiversity on the high seas. Assess your preparation and deepen your conceptual clarity with questions designed to mirror the complexity of the actual examination. Get the gist of the news with these important daily news summaries for UPSC exams
The Crucial Intersection of Environment, Geography, and Current Affairs
For competitive examinations like the UPSC Civil Services, the distinction between static geography and dynamic environmental issues is increasingly blurred. Questions are designed to test not just your rote knowledge but your ability to connect geographical phenomena with their environmental consequences and the latest policy developments. Topics such as the melting of Himalayan glaciers, the formation of glacial lakes, and their potential for causing catastrophic downstream flooding are prime examples. Similarly, international agreements like the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) Treaty are not just current affairs; they are deeply rooted in the principles of marine geography and global environmental governance. A comprehensive preparation strategy requires an integrated approach to these subjects.
Why This Knowledge is Vital for Exam Success
The topics of glacial lakes and the BBNJ Treaty are highly relevant for upcoming examinations due to their significant presence in recent news and policy discussions. Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) represent a major climate change-induced disaster risk, particularly for India, making it a key area of focus for questions related to disaster management, climatology, and physical geography. The High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) is a monumental step in international environmental law, directly impacting topics under international relations, environmental conventions, and marine ecosystems. Examiners frequently select such contemporary issues to evaluate a candidate’s awareness and analytical skills, making a thorough understanding of them essential for scoring high marks.
A great strategy is to build a strong foundation in UPSC static gk early in your preparation.
UPSC-Level Practice Quiz: Environment & Geography
Question 1: Consider the following statements regarding Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs):
1. They are exclusively caused by the sudden failure of moraine dams.
2. An increase in global temperatures is a primary driver for the increasing frequency of GLOF events.
3. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in India has laid down specific guidelines for mitigating GLOF risks.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is (b) 2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect because while the failure of moraine dams is a common cause, GLOFs can also be triggered by other events like avalanches or rockslides into the lake, causing a displacement wave. Statement 2 is correct as rising temperatures accelerate glacier melt, increasing the volume of water in glacial lakes and destabilizing the surrounding ice and moraine. Statement 3 is also correct; the NDMA has issued detailed guidelines on managing the risks associated with GLOFs, covering aspects from monitoring and early warning systems to infrastructure development in vulnerable areas.
Question 2: The recently adopted ‘High Seas Treaty’ on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) primarily aims to address which of the following?
1. Establishing large-scale Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the high seas.
2. Regulating deep-sea mining activities within national Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
3. Ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.
4. Banning all fishing activities in international waters.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 4 only
Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is (a) 1 and 3 only. The BBNJ Treaty is a landmark agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Its key pillars include establishing MPAs for conservation (Statement 1) and creating a framework for the equitable sharing of benefits arising from marine genetic resources (Statement 3). The treaty does not regulate activities within national EEZs (Statement 2 is incorrect) nor does it impose a blanket ban on all fishing, but rather aims for its sustainable management (Statement 4 is incorrect).
Question 3: What is a ‘moraine’ in a geographical context?
(a) A river formed by the melting of glacial ice.
(b) A deep crack or fissure in a glacier.
(c) An accumulation of rock, sediment, and soil carried and deposited by a glacier.
(d) A large body of ice moving slowly down a slope or valley.
Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is (c) An accumulation of rock, sediment, and soil carried and deposited by a glacier. Moraines are landforms created by the deposition of glacial till. As a glacier moves, it scours the valley floor and sides, picking up debris. This material is then deposited at the glacier’s terminus (end moraine) or along its sides (lateral moraine), often forming natural dams that can impound water to create glacial lakes.
Question 4: The concept of ‘Blue Carbon’ is most closely associated with:
(a) The carbon captured and stored by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems.
(b) The carbon emissions produced by the international shipping industry.
(c) A market-based mechanism for trading carbon credits generated from marine projects.
(d) The potential of deep-sea vents to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is (a) The carbon captured and stored by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. ‘Blue Carbon’ refers to the carbon sequestered by marine ecosystems, primarily mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows. These ecosystems are highly efficient at capturing and storing vast amounts of carbon in both the plants and the sediment below, playing a critical role in mitigating climate change.
Question 5: With reference to the Himalayan ecosystem, the accelerated melting of glaciers can lead to a paradoxical situation of ‘increased water flow in the short term and scarcity in the long term’. What is the most accurate reason for this phenomenon?
(a) The immediate melting increases river discharge, but the eventual depletion of the glacial ‘water bank’ leads to reduced flows in the future.
(b) Increased rainfall in the short term compensates for the melt, but long-term weather patterns predict severe droughts.
(c) The construction of dams temporarily increases water availability but restricts downstream flow later on.
(d) Evaporation rates increase significantly in the short term, leading to water loss and future scarcity.
Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is (a) The immediate melting increases river discharge, but the eventual depletion of the glacial ‘water bank’ leads to reduced flows in the future. This paradox is a core concept in understanding the impacts of climate change on glacier-fed river systems. Initially, as glaciers melt faster, they release more water, boosting river flows and potentially causing floods. However, glaciers act as natural reservoirs. As they shrink and eventually disappear, this vital source of water is lost, leading to drastically reduced flows and severe water scarcity for downstream populations, especially during dry seasons.
