Conservation
Editor’s Pick
- Discuss the significance of mangroves for the health of coastal communities and biodiversity. Additionally, explain the recently introduced MISHTI scheme in relation to this topic. (200 words)
- What are the causes of the growing human-wildlife conflict in India, and what key actions has the government taken to reduce this conflict? (200 words)
- Why has the quality of river water in India shown little improvement despite numerous efforts by various stakeholders? Provide examples. (200 words)
- How would you define Nature-based Solutions (NBS)? Explain how NBS can assist in adapting to different hazards. (200 words)
- How successful has ‘Project Tiger’ been in safeguarding India’s national animal, and what additional measures are required for the holistic conservation of tigers under the project?
- In the context of environmental conservation and biodiversity restoration, explain the concept of ‘rewilding.’ What principles should guide rewilding initiatives? (200 words)
- What factors are contributing to the rapid growth and spread of invasive alien species, and how do they pose specific threats to a country like India? (200 words)
- How do ethnic and indigenous communities contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in India? (200 words)
- What is meant by ‘watershed management’? Discuss its potential benefits and challenges. (150 words)
UPSC PYQs
- Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites. (250 words) [UPSC 2023]
- What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (150 words) [UPSC 2020]
- What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? (250 words) [UPSC 2020]
- Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyze the impact of sand mining along the Indian coasts, citing specific examples. (150 words) [UPSC 2019]
- Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region. (250 words) [UPSC 2019]
- What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use in the context of wetland conservation, Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (150 words) [UPSC 2018]
- Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of Organic State? (150 words) [UPSC 2018]
- How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (250 words) [UPSC 2018]
- 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. (150 words) [UPSC 2017]
- 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 a carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for economic growth. (200 words) [UPSC 2014]
Climate Change
Editor’s Pick
- Based on a recent scientific evaluation, the ozone hole, which was once regarded as a significant threat to life on Earth, is projected to be healed by 2066. In light of this, what measures have been implemented to support the recovery of the ozone layer? (200 words)
- There has been a notable increase in heat wave occurrences in India recently. What are the reasons behind this trend, and what mitigation measures can be implemented to address it? (200 words)
- Discuss the necessity of climate budgeting in India, considering the importance of integrating climate finance into the budgeting process to address climate change concerns within the development agenda. ( 200 Words)
- The recent report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the need for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to reach net negative CO2 emissions. What is carbon dioxide removal (CDR)? Explain the various methods to achieve CDR and discuss the challenges involved. ( 200 Words)
- Discuss the challenges India faces in transitioning its transport sector to align with its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
- What is a cloudburst, and why are instances of cloudbursts increasing in the Himalayan states of India? Provide two examples of recent cloudburst incidents. (200 words)
- What are the reasons for transitioning to net zero emissions, and what strategy has India implemented to reach its net zero target? (200 words)
- What is the importance of carbon trading, and what are the key features of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) 2023 introduced by the Government of India? (200 words)
UPSC PYQs
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? (250 words) [UPSC 2023]
- Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. (150 words)[UPSC 2022]
- Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997. (250 words) [UPSC 2022]
- Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (150 words) [UPSC 2021]
- Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (250 words) [UPSC 2021]
- 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? (250 words) [UPSC 2017]
Pollution & Degradation
Editor’s Pick
- What challenges hinder the effective disposal of the large amount of e-waste generated in India, and what measures can be taken to ensure its timely and safe recycling? (200 words)
- What are the effects of noise pollution on human health and the environment? (200 words)
- Identify the causes of widespread soil degradation in India and discuss the measures that have been implemented to tackle soil pollution. (200 words)
- What are the main causes of marine pollution, and how does it impact the environment overall? (200 words)
- In what ways do plastics contribute to climate change? Despite implementing various measures, why has India struggled to control plastic pollution? ( 200 Words)
- What factors have contributed to the steady increase in light pollution in various parts of India in recent years, and what are its impacts on biological organisms? (200 words)
UPSC PYQs
- What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India? (150 words)[UPSC 2023]
- The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles? (250 words) [UPSC 2023]
- Each year a large amount of plant material, cellulose, is deposited on the surface of Planet Earth. What are the natural processes this cellulose undergoes before yielding carbon dioxide, water and other end products? (150 words)[UPSC 2022]
- Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol. (150 words)[UPSC 2022]
- Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGS) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards? (150 words) [UPSC 2021]
- What are the impediments in disposing 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? (150 words) [UPSC 2018]
Environmental Impact Assessment
Editor’s Pick
- Discuss the concerns related to the star rating system implemented in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which is crucial for minimizing the ecological costs of infrastructure development. (200 words)
- Evaluate the environmental effects of agricultural subsidies in India and propose strategies to mitigate this impact. (200 words)
UPSC PYQs
- How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? (150 words) [UPSC 2020]
- .Environmental Impact Assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before a project is cleared by the Government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at coal pitheads. (200 words) [UPSC 2014]