MPPSC Mains PYQs

Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) measures poverty beyond just income. It considers various factors:

• Monetary Poverty: Daily income below $2.15.
• Education: Lack of school enrollment for children.
• Basic Services: Access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity.

This approach reveals deeper insights into poverty’s complexity.

Important Components of the Secondary Sector in India

The secondary sector in India includes various critical components:

• Manufacturing: Producing goods like textiles, electronics, and automobiles.
• Construction: Building infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and housing.
• Food Processing: Converting raw agricultural products into packaged foods.

These industries drive economic growth and create jobs.

What is Solid Waste Management?

Solid waste management refers to the entire process of collecting, treating, and disposing of solid waste. This process ensures that waste is handled properly to minimize its impact on the environment and public health.

Important Methods of Solid Waste Management

1. Collection
   • Waste is gathered from various sources such as homes, industries, and public areas.
   • Example: Garbage trucks collect trash from residential neighborhoods.
2. Transportation
   • After collection, waste is transported to treatment or disposal sites.
   • Example: Waste is loaded onto larger trucks for transport to landfills or recycling centers.
3. Treatment
   • Waste can be treated in various ways to reduce its volume and toxicity.
   • Composting: Organic waste like food scraps is decomposed naturally.
   • Incineration: Waste is burned at high temperatures, reducing its size and generating energy.
   • Example: Incinerators convert waste into ash and energy, reducing landfill use.
4. Disposal
   • The final step involves disposing of waste safely.
   • Landfills: Modern landfills are designed to minimize pollution by using liners and monitoring systems.
   • Recycling: Materials like paper, glass, and plastics are processed and reused.
   • Example: Recyclable materials are sorted and sent to facilities for transformation into new products.

By using these methods, solid waste management helps reduce pollution, conserve resources, and protect public health.

Understanding Environmental Degradation

What is Environmental Degradation?

Environmental degradation refers to the deterioration of the natural environment. This can happen due to various factors, primarily:

• Poverty: Many people in poverty overuse natural resources, like cutting down trees for quick cash.
• Deforestation: Trees are cut down, harming biodiversity and contributing to climate change.
• Climate Change: Changes in weather patterns lead to soil erosion and reduce crop yields.

Effects of Environmental Degradation

The impacts of environmental degradation are serious:

• Increased Poverty: As the environment worsens, people struggle to grow food, leading to hunger.
• Soil Damage: Erosion reduces soil fertility, making it hard for plants to thrive.
• Disruption of Ecosystems: Loss of trees and wildlife affects the balance of nature.

Solutions to Combat Environmental Degradation

There are effective solutions to address these issues:

• Regenerative Farming: This practice restores soil health and increases biodiversity. For example, using cover crops helps improve soil structure.
• Tree Planting: Planting trees absorbs carbon dioxide and reduces pollution. Trees also prevent soil erosion.
• Savings and Loan Programs: These provide communities with the resources to invest in sustainable practices.

By working together on these solutions, we can create a healthier environment and reduce poverty. For instance, community initiatives like “Purpose Groups” help educate and empower local people to make positive changes.