QUIZ – 2020: INSIGHTS STATIC , 22 June 2021 – Environment

Solution: b)

Protected areas: Desert National Park Sanctuary — Rajasthan, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary – Andhra Pradesh and Karera Wildlife Sanctuary– Madhya Pradesh.

In India, the bird was historically found in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Today the bustard is restricted to isolated pockets in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Arunachal Pradesh.

Solution: d)

Indoor air pollution refers to the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of air in the indoor environment within a home, building, or an institution or commercial facility.

Other than nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead, there are a number of other pollutants that affect the air quality in an enclosed space.

Volatile organic compounds originate mainly from solvents and chemicals. The main indoor sources are perfumes, hair sprays, furniture polish, glues, air fresheners, moth repellents, wood preservatives, and many other products used in the house.

Tobacco smoke generates a wide range of harmful chemicals and is known to cause cancer.

Pesticides, if used carefully do not cause too much harm to the indoor air.

Biological pollutants include pollen from plants, mite, hair from pets, fungi, parasites, and some bacteria. Most of them are allergens and can cause asthma, hay fever, and other allergic diseases.

Formaldehyde is a gas that comes mainly from carpets, particle boards, and insulation foam. It causes irritation to the eyes and nose and may cause allergies in some people.

Asbestos is mainly a concern because it is suspected to cause cancer.

Radon is a gas that is emitted naturally by the soil. Due to modern houses having poor ventilation, it is confined inside the house causing harm to the dwellers.

Solution: c)

Carnivorous plants are plants that derive some or most of their nutrients from trapping and consuming animals or protozoans, typically insects and other arthropods. However, carnivorous plants generate energy from photosynthesis. Carnivorous plants have adapted to grow in places where the soil is thin or poor in nutrients, especially nitrogen, such as acidic bogs.

Solution: d)

The Asiatic lion population is surviving today only in India. Since the turn of the 20th century, its range is restricted to Gir National Park and the surrounding areas in Gujarat. Historically, it inhabited much of Western Asia and the Middle East to northern India.

On the IUCN Red List, it is listed under its former scientific name Panthera leopersica as Endangered because of its small population size and area of occupancy.

The census is conducted once every five years. 2020 census was delayed due to lockdowns. The first Lion Census was conducted by the Nawab of Junagadh in 1936; since 1965, the Forest Department has been regularly conducting the Lion Census every five years.

Solution: c)

Kelps are large brown algae seaweeds that make up the order Laminariales. There are about 30 different genera. Despite its appearance, kelp is not a plant; it is a heterokont.

Kelp grows in “underwater forests” (kelp forests) in shallow oceans.

Kelp is a coveted food source in many countries, full of potassium, iron, calcium, fibre and iodine.