Civil Services Mains Examination Ecology & Environment,Disaster Management - GS Paper III

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Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment

Question. What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (CSE 2018)

Question. What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (CSE 2018)

Question. How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (CSE 2018)

Question. Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. (CSE 2017)

Question. ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (CSE 2017)

Question. What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency. (CSE 2016)

Question. Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which always attracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major development projects. (CSE 2016)

Question. Discuss the Namami Gange and National mission for clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed results from the previous schemes. What quantum leaps can help preserve the river Ganga better than incremental inputs? (CSE 2015)

Question. Should the pursuit of carbon-credits and clean development mechanisms set up under UNFCCC be maintained even though there has been a massive slide in the value of carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for economic growth. (CSE 2014)

Question. Environmental Impact Assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before project is cleared by the Government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at Pitheads. (CSE 2014)

Question. What do you understand by Run-of-river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project? (CSE 2013)

Question. What are the consequences of Illegal Mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of GO AND NO GO ZONES for coal mining sector. (CSE 2013)

Question. Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for handling and managing wastes in India? (CSE 2013)

Question. The issue of tourism in core areas of tiger reserve forests in the country is a subject matter of debate. Critically examine various aspects of this issue, keeping in view relevant recent judicial pronouncements. (CSE 2012)

Question. Analyse critically the interlinkage between the Convention on Biological Diversity and FAO treaty on plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. (CSE 2012)

Question. What is Permaculture? Give at least three common examples where permaculture concepts are being put to use. (CSE 2012)

Question. Explain the concepts “Environmental Sustainability” and “Sustainable Develop-ment of People”. (CSE 2012)

Question. Explain briefly the “Clean Development Mechanism” as provided under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (CSE 2012)

Question. You are stationed in a small district town in the plains of Northern India. The summer has been severe. Suddenly, a colleague, who had been out since morning, returns to the office complaining of headache, restlessness and confusion. Shortly, he becomes unconscious. His body temperature is 40°C. What first aid steps would you take to revive him? (CSE 2012)

Question. In the context of the growing demands for the ban of Endosulfan in the country, critically examine the issues involved. What, in your view, should be done in the matter? (CSE 2012)

Question. Comment on Phase-IV of the tiger monitoring programme in India. (CSE 2011)

Question. Comment on the scourge of e-waste. (CSE 2011)

Question. Comment on the admonishing population of vultures. (CSE 2011)

Question. Comment on Evolution of ‘Green Benches’ in our higher judiciary. (CSE 2011)

Question. “As regards the increasing rates of melting of Arctic Sea ice, the interests of the Arctic Council nations may not coincide with those of the wider world.” Explain. (CSE 2011)

Question. Comment on the special components in urban solid waste management in the country. (CSE 2010)

Question. Comment on the recent HFC 23 emissions controversy that includes in its ambit some Indian companies. (CSE 2010)

Question. Bring out the salient features of the evolution and the current status of the ‘Bharat Stage’ vehicle emission norms in the country. (CSE 2010)

Question. List any eight ‘Ramsar’ wetland sites located in India. What is the ‘Montreux Record’ and what Indian sites are included in this Record? (CSE 2010)

Question. In the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), distinguish between ‘Annex I’ and ‘Annex II’ counties. (CSE 2010)

Question. Bring out the applications of computer models in studying climate changes, with special reference to the Community Earth System Model (CESM). (CSE 2010)

Question. Comment on Rotterdam Convention (CSE 2010)

Question. Write a note on IPCC Report on Global Warming. (CSE 2008)

Question. What is the meaning and aim of Social Forestry? What are the main weaknesses noticed in Social Forestry Programme? (CSE 2007)

Question. Explain the phenomenon of ozone depletion, its causes and effects. What efforts are needed to reduce it? (CSE 2007)

Question. What do you understand by the term ‘biodiversity’? Examine the causes and consequences of degeneration of biodiversity. (CSE 2007)

Question. Write a note on the UN conference on Environment and Development (The Earth Summit). (CSE 2007)

Question. Blue Revolution has definite advantages in India but is not free from environmental aspects. Discuss. (CSE 2006)

Question. Write a note on Bio-refinery versus Fossil fuels. (CSE 2006)

Question. Causes of soil erosion and its control in India. (CSE 2005)

Question. Why do environmentalists regard asbestos and polythene as pollutants? (CSE 2005)

Question. “Global Warming” - Discuss. (CSE 2004)

Question. What do you understand by depletion of ozone layer and why is it considered harmful? Name the ozone depleting substances and processes. What international ramifications took place to protect the ozone layer and what was the target agreed upon? (CSE 2003)

Question. How has the dwindling of barbed variety of rice affected the Siliguri-Bagdogra belt with respect to man-animal conflict? (CSE 2002)

Question. What is Integrated Wasteland Development Programme? (CSE 2002)

Question. Write briefly about Desert Development Programme. (CSE 2002)

Question. Plastic hazards. Discuss. (CSE 2002)

Question. What does the Montreal Protocol deal with? Discuss its role in protecting Earth’s environment. (CSE 2001)

Question. Discuss the significance of Kyoto Protocol. Why is USA not signing it? (CSE 2001)

Question. What is green GNP? (CSE 2017)

Question. What is wasteland? Write a note on prospects of waste land development in India. (CSE 2000)

Question. There is a wide-spread concern about the degradation of environment and the problems that go with it. Assess the international response. (CSE 2000)

Question. What is water harvesting? Describe its relevance in the Indian context. (CSE 2000)

Disaster and Disaster Management

Question. Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’? (CSE 2018)

Question. On December 2004, tsunami brought havoc on fourteen countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (CSE 2017)

Question. The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discuss the reasons for urban floods; highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (CSE 2016)

Question. With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of the recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand. (CSE 2016)

Question. The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, India’s preparedness for mitigating their impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects. (CSE 2015)

Question. Drought has been recognised as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effect on vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), discuss the mechanism for preparedness to deal with the El Nino and La Nina fallouts in India. (CSE 2014)

Question. How important are vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management? As an Administrator, what are key areas that you would focus on in a disaster management system? (CSE 2013)

Question. Comment on composition and functions of the National Executive Committee of the National Disaster Management Authority. (CSE 2011)

Question. Comment on the present status of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). What important issues, do you think, need to be taken up at the seventh review conference of the BWC scheduled for 2011? (CSE 2010)

Question. You arrive first at the scene where a bus accident has just occurred. What emergency measures should you immediately and safely adopt? (CSE 2010)

Question. What are the salient features of the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan? (CSE 2010)

Question. What is disaster management? Discuss the steps required to tackle natural disasters. (CSC 2005)