DAY – 54 : Insta 75 Days Revision Plan-2026 : ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY and AGRICULTURE

Answer:(a)

Explanation:

The Global Land Outlook (GLO) is a flagship publication of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, not the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Hence, Statement I is incorrect.

Statement II is correct.
The GLO provides a comprehensive global assessment of land resources and their interaction with human systems. It explicitly examines the land–human–wealth nexus, highlighting how land degradation affects economic productivity, ecosystem services, and human well-being, thereby emphasizing the economic value of soil health.

Statement III is correct.
The GLO highlights specific large-scale restoration projects. The Great Green Wall (GGW) in Africa is frequently cited as a flagship model for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), showcasing how regional cooperation can combat desertification on a continental scale.

Answer :(b)

Explanation:

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral financial mechanism that provides grants and concessional funding to address global environmental issues. Its core source of finance comes from periodic replenishments contributed voluntarily by donor countries, which makes Statement I correct. These contributions form the backbone of the GEF Trust Fund and are negotiated every few years among participating countries.

Statement II is incorrect because the GEF does not receive any revenue from a global carbon tax. There is no universally implemented global carbon taxation system that channels funds into the GEF. Instead, climate-related financing flows through specific mechanisms such as dedicated funds or bilateral arrangements, not through a global tax pooled into the GEF.

Statement III is correct, as the GEF framework allows for voluntary contributions from philanthropic organizations and other non-state actors. While such contributions are not the primary source of funding, they are permissible and do supplement the overall resource base of the facility.

Statement IV is also correct because the GEF Trust Fund resources are financially managed and invested, generating income. This investment income contributes to the overall pool of available resources, thereby supporting its funding operations.

Statement V is incorrect since the GEF does not rely on mandatory dues from all UN member states. Unlike the UN regular budget, where assessed contributions are compulsory, GEF funding is entirely voluntary and based on negotiated pledges.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

The concept of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) was developed by John Elkington to broaden the focus of development beyond mere financial performance. It emphasizes that sustainable development must balance three core and interdependent dimensions.

These three pillars are Social Equity, Environmental Stewardship, and Economic Viability. Social Equity refers to fairness, inclusion, and well-being of communities; Environmental Stewardship relates to responsible management and conservation of natural resources; and Economic Viability ensures that activities remain financially sustainable over the long term.

In this context, Statements I, III, and IV directly correspond to the three recognized pillars of the TBL framework and are therefore correct. However, Statement II, Technological Sovereignty, is not a constituent pillar of the TBL framework. While technology plays an enabling role in sustainability, it is not part of the original or core conceptual structure of TBL.

Answer: (b)

The terms Zostera, Posidonia, and Thalassia refer to genera of marine flowering plants commonly known as seagrasses. These plants grow in shallow coastal waters and form extensive underwater meadows, which are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth.

Seagrasses play a crucial ecological role. They stabilize sediments, support rich marine biodiversity, act as nursery grounds for fish, and contribute significantly to carbon sequestration (blue carbon ecosystems). Genera such as Zostera (eelgrass), Posidonia (common in the Mediterranean), and Thalassia (turtle grass in tropical regions) are well-known representatives of these habitats.

The other options are incorrect because these terms are not associated with invasive freshwater species, bio-indicators of heavy metal pollution, or microbial agents used in oil spill remediation.

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is correctly matched with Gland, Switzerland, which serves as its global headquarters and houses its Secretariat. It is one of the most prominent international bodies working on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification has its Secretariat located in Bonn, Germany. Bonn hosts several UN institutions, and UNCCD operates from there as the primary international framework addressing desertification, land degradation, and drought.

Wetlands International is correctly matched with Ede, Netherlands, where its global office is based. The organization works internationally on wetland conservation, restoration, and sustainable management, often collaborating with governments and multilateral agencies.

BirdLife International is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, where its global Secretariat coordinates a worldwide partnership of conservation organizations focusing on birds and their habitats.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is directly associated with multiple global initiatives addressing plastic pollution, though the degree of its involvement varies.

The “Clean Seas” Campaign is a flagship initiative launched and led by UNEP, making Statement I correct.

The “Global Tourism Plastics Initiative” is co-led by UNEP along with the World Tourism Organization, within the One Planet framework. UNEP plays a central managerial and coordinating role, so Statement II is correct.

The “New Plastics Economy Global Commitment” is led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with UNEP. Importantly, UNEP is a formal co-initiator and co-signatory partner, and the initiative was launched jointly at the global level.

The “Great Bubble Barrier” is a private technological innovation developed by a Dutch enterprise and has no institutional linkage with UNEP.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:
The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), established in 2023 under the Global Environment Facility, is designed as a dedicated financial mechanism to support implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Accordingly, Statement I is correct, as the fund’s central purpose is to mobilize and channel resources for achieving the targets of this global biodiversity framework.

Statement II is incorrect because the GBFF is not exclusively meant for the protection of indigenous territories. While it emphasizes inclusivity and aims to ensure that indigenous peoples and local communities receive a meaningful share of funding, its scope is much broader, covering ecosystem restoration, conservation, and biodiversity governance.

Statement III is correct. The GBFF places particular emphasis on supporting developing countries, including Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and aligns its funding priorities with key global targets such as the “30×30” goal—protecting 30% of land and marine areas by 2030.

Statement IV is incorrect because the GBFF is not a subsidiary of the World Bank’s Climate Investment Funds. Instead, it operates under the institutional framework of the Global Environment Facility, which functions as a financial mechanism for multilateral environmental agreements.

Answer: (b)

Explanation:
The The Earthshot Prize was launched in 2020 by Prince William and the Royal Foundation, and not by the World Economic Forum. Therefore, Statement I is incorrect. The prize is not limited to funding carbon capture technologies; rather, it is a broad environmental initiative aimed at encouraging innovative solutions across multiple domains.

Statement II is correct. The Earthshot Prize is designed to be awarded annually for a period of ten years (2021–2030), granting five prizes each year, each aligned with one of its five Earthshots: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean our Air, Revive our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix our Climate.

Answer: (a)

Explanation:
The BBNJ Treaty, formally known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, is a legally binding instrument developed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Therefore, Statement I is correct.

The treaty explicitly establishes a framework for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs), including provisions related to access, data sharing, and capacity building. Hence, Statement II is correct.

It also enables the creation of Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs), including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction (the high seas), thereby strengthening global ocean governance. Thus, Statement III is correct.

Statement IV is incorrect. Although the treaty was adopted in 2023, it has not yet entered into force as of early 2024, since the required number of ratifications has not been reached.

Answer: (c)

Explanation:
The Triple COP refers to the coordinated meetings of three closely related multilateral environmental agreements dealing with chemicals and hazardous wastes. These are the Basel Convention, the Rotterdam Convention, and the Stockholm Convention.

The objective of this mechanism is to enhance policy coherence, administrative efficiency, and coordinated decision-making by holding the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) of these three conventions back-to-back or jointly, often referred to as the “Triple COPs” or “BRS COPs.”

All three conventions are formally part of this coordinated framework and share a common secretariat structure for synergy in implementation.

Answer: a

Detailed Solution:

Faulty clock elapsed time from 8:00 AM (Day 1) to 1:00 PM (Day 2) = 29 hours.

The clock gains 10 minutes in 24 hours. Therefore, 24 hours 10 minutes of faulty time = 24 hours of true time.

In minutes: 1450 faulty minutes = 1440 true minutes.

To find true time elapsed (x) for 29 hours (1740 minutes) of faulty time:

x = (1740 * 1440) / 1450

x = 1728 minutes.

Convert 1728 minutes back to hours: 1728 / 60 = 28.8 hours.

0.8 hours = 0.8 * 60 = 48 minutes.

True time = 8:00 AM + 28 hours 48 minutes = 12:48 PM the next day.

Answer: c

Detailed Solution:

We move backward from Jan 1, 2024, to Aug 15, 1947.

Odd days from Jan 1, 2024, back to Jan 1, 1948: Years = 76. Leap years = 19 (1948, 1952 … 2020). Total odd days = 76 + 19 = 95. 95 / 7 leaves remainder = 4 odd days.

Odd days from Jan 1, 1948, back to Aug 15, 1947: Dec ’47 (31), Nov ’47 (30), Oct ’47 (31), Sept ’47 (30), Aug ’47 (16 days from 31st back to 15th). Total days from Jan 1, 1948 back to Aug 15, 1947 is 139 days (including Jan 1). 139 / 7 leaves remainder = 6 odd days.

Total odd days = 4 + 6 = 10 days. 10 / 7 leaves remainder = 3 odd days.

Monday minus 3 days (Sunday, Saturday, Friday) = Friday.

Answer: b

Detailed Solution:

A’s position from left = 15.

B’s position from left = (Total – Right Position) + 1 = (45 – 11) + 1 = 35.

To find the exact middle of two positions, use the average of the ranks: Middle position = (15 + 35) / 2 = 50 / 2 = 25.

C’s position from the left end is 25th.

Answer: b

Detailed Solution:

1. U is heavier than only V: This means V is the lightest (7th) and U is the second lightest (6th). ( _ > _ > _ > _ > _ > 6th: U > 7th: V )
2. R is heavier than exactly three persons: This places R in the 4th position. ( _ > _ > _ > 4th: R > _ > 6th: U > 7th: V )
3. S > P > R: S and P must be in the spots above R (Positions 1, 2, or 3).
4. S is not the heaviest: Since S cannot be 1st, and S must be above P and R, S must be 2nd and P must be 3rd.
5. This leaves the 1st spot for the remaining person, T.
6. Q is not the lightest: Q fits into the only remaining spot, 5th.

Final sequence: T (1st) > S (2nd) > P (3rd) > R (4th) > Q (5th) > U (6th) > V (7th).

The third heaviest person is P.

Answer: b

Detailed Solution:

The passage argues that defining literacy solely as reading and writing is insufficient today. It claims that a lack of digital skills leads to being “marginalized” from “power and resources.” Marginalization is a synonym for social exclusion. Therefore, the disparity in digital literacy (digital inequality) creates a barrier to social participation. Options A and D are too extreme (traditional literacy is not useless, and technology is not the “only” way), and C is a recommendation not explicitly made in the text.