Environment

Explanation

In India, a company submitting a Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) is required to make disclosures that are largely non-financial in nature. This report focuses on the company's social, environmental, and ethical performance, rather than financial aspects. The Reserve Bank of India does not mandate all listed companies to submit a BRSR; hence, statement I is incorrect.

Explanation

Cigarette butts, eyeglass lenses, and car tyres all contain plastic material. Plastic is a common component used in manufacturing these items due to its durability, flexibility, and other desirable properties.

Explanation

The World Toilet Organization is not an agency of the United Nations. It is a global non-profit organization that works towards improving sanitation conditions worldwide. Initiatives like the World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day, and World Toilet College are indeed part of its efforts to address the global sanitation crisis.

Explanation

Hydrofluorocarbons are used in the making of foam agents, fire retardants, and lubricants. They are not used in the production of aerosols. Therefore, hydrofluorocarbons are used in the making of three out of the four listed items.

Explanation

Biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems play a crucial role in converting toxic ammonia produced by fish waste into less harmful nitrate through nitrification process. This helps in maintaining water quality by reducing ammonia levels. However, biofilters do not increase phosphorus in water as a nutrient for fish; rather, they focus on waste treatment and maintaining water quality.

Explanation

Rice cultivation in flooded fields is a significant anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide, as it creates anaerobic conditions that lead to the production of these gases.

Explanation

The Central Ground Water Authority has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control the development and management of groundwater resources in the country. It plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainable use of groundwater and preventing its depletion through regulatory measures and guidelines.

Explanation

The 'Polar Code' is an international code that sets out safety and environmental standards for ships operating in polar waters. It aims to ensure the safety of ships, crew, and passengers, as well as to protect the unique and vulnerable polar environment.

Explanation

'Greenwashing' refers to the deceptive practice of conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound. This term is used when companies exaggerate or misrepresent their environmental efforts to appear more sustainable than they actually are, misleading consumers about the true environmental impact of their products.

Explanation

Rice cultivation in flooded paddy fields is a significant anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide. Methane is produced in anaerobic conditions in flooded rice fields, while nitrous oxide is released due to the use of nitrogen fertilizers in rice cultivation.

Explanation

The New York Declaration on Forests was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014. It aims to endorse a global timeline to end the loss of forests and is supported by governments, big companies, and indigenous communities. However, it is not a legally binding international declaration.

Explanation

In the phosphorus cycle, the weathering of rocks is the primary process that releases phosphorus into the cycle. Phosphorus is gradually released from rocks through weathering, then enters the soil and water bodies, where it becomes available for uptake by plants and other organisms. This distinguishes the phosphorus cycle from other biogeochemical cycles where weathering of rocks is not the main source of nutrient release.

Explanation

In the construction of rural roads, which materials are preferred to ensure environmental sustainability and reduce carbon footprint? 1. Copper slag 2. Cold mix asphalt technology 3. Geotextiles 4. Hot mix asphalt technology 5. Portland cement Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 4 and 5 only (d) 1 and 5 only Correct Answer: (a) Coir is a natural fiber used in making geotextiles for rural road construction under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Copper slag, a by-product of copper refining, is deemed safe for the environment.

Explanation

When crop or biomass residue is burned, it releases carbon monoxide, methane, ozone, and sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. Therefore, all the pollutants mentioned in the options – carbon monoxide, methane, ozone, and sulphur dioxide – are released due to the burning of crop/biomass residue.

Explanation

The Ramsar convention mandates the Government of India to protect and conserve all wetlands within the country. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were developed by the Indian government based on Ramsar convention recommendations. These rules also cover the drainage areas or catchment regions of the wetlands as specified by the authority. The correct statement among the options provided is that only statement 3 is accurate.

Explanation

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have different origins. The NGT was established through legislation, while the CPCB was formed through a government executive order. The NGT focuses on environmental justice and easing the load of cases in higher courts, whereas the CPCB is dedicated to improving water quality and air cleanliness in the country. The correct statement from the question is that only statement 2 is accurate.

Explanation

In 2012, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, known as Rio+20, took place in Brazil. The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) was established in 2013 following the discussions at Rio+20.

Explanation

The terms Annex-I Countries, Certified Emissions Reductions, and Clean Development Mechanism are all linked to the Kyoto Protocol. Therefore, the correct match is option (c) 3 only.

Explanation

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is a widely utilized international tool for government and business leaders to comprehend, measure, and control greenhouse gas emissions.

Explanation

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification plays a crucial role in promoting effective action through national programs and international partnerships. It specifically focuses on regions like South Asia and North Africa, allocating a significant portion of financial resources to these areas. The convention also emphasizes a bottom-up approach, encouraging the involvement of local communities in combating desertification. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option (c), as the convention does not have a focus on Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Northern Mediterranean, and Central and Eastern Europe.

Explanation

The National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) operates as a central authority overseeing the planning and management of the Ganges River basin. It leads national efforts for conserving the river. The Chairman of NGRBA is the Prime Minister, not a Chief Minister from the Ganga-flowing states.

Explanation

The BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes is overseen by the World Bank. This initiative, established in 2004, operates within the World Bank's Carbon Finance Unit and aims to attract funding from both public and private sectors to support projects that capture or preserve carbon in forest and agro-ecosystems.

Explanation

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee operates as a legal body under the Environment Protection Act of 1986 within the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Explanation

The Global Environment Facility is a financial institution that supports the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Explanation

The "oil zapper" is an environmentally friendly technology used to clean up oily sludge and oil spills. It works by consuming hydrocarbon compounds found in crude oil and oily sludge, which are hazardous wastes produced by oil refineries, and transforming them into harmless CO2 and water. This process is scientifically known as bioremediation.

Explanation

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement related to biological diversity. In India, this protocol is implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Explanation

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a part of the Kyoto Protocol and falls under the category of Flexible Mechanisms. It allows for projects that reduce emissions to create Certified Emission Reduction units that can be traded in emissions trading schemes.

Explanation

NIOT established the world's first low temperature thermal desalination (LTTD) plant in Kavaratti, making it the first desalination plant in India to produce one lakh litres of freshwater per day based on this principle.

Explanation

Tarun Bharat Sangh, a non-profit environmental organization based in Bheekampura near Alwar, Rajasthan, is known for its work in rainwater harvesting. It is led by Dr. Rajendra Singh, also known as the "Water man of India."

Explanation

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, responsible for granting approval for the cultivation of genetically modified crops like Bt Cotton in India, operates under the jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.

Explanation

In India, the Gulf of Mannar is recognized as a biosphere reserve. The Ganga Action Plan's second phase has been integrated with the National River Conservation Plan. The National Museum of Natural History in New Delhi provides informal education on environment and conservation. The Environmental Information System (ENVIS) serves as a decentralized network for environmental information. The accurate statements among these are: 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Explanation

The Indian government has established a program called ECO Mark to label products that are environmentally friendly. This initiative is managed by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Explanation

Estuaries are known to have unique occurrences of abundant growth of pigmented dinoflagellates, known as blooms. These particular blooms are referred to as red tides.

Explanation

A scintillation counter is a device used to identify and quantify gamma radiation emitted by isotopes, making it a suitable tool to determine the presence of a gamma emitting isotope in drinking water.