UPSC Daily Quiz | 14 August 2024

Explanation:

• • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body (an intergovernmental body, not a non-governmental organization) for assessing the science related to climate change. (Hence, statement 3 is not correct)
  • It was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

• In 2007, the IPCC and U.S. Vice-President Al Gore were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)

• The IPCC is an organization of governments that are members of the United Nations or WMO. Its Secretariat is located at Geneva, Switzerland.
• IPCC reports form the base of negotiations at the UN Climate Conference – the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is these negotiations that have produced the Paris Agreement, and previously the Kyoto Protocol.
• After every few years (no fixed period) the IPCC produces assessment reports. In its Fifth Assessment Report it concluded that climate change is real and human activities, largely the release of polluting gases from burning fossil fuel (coal, oil, gas), is the main cause.
• Since 1988, the IPCC has had six assessment cycles and delivered six Assessment Reports (in 2023), the most comprehensive scientific reports about climate change produced worldwide.
• It has also produced a range of Methodology Reports, Special Reports and Technical Papers, in response to requests for information on specific scientific and technical matters from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), governments and international organizations. 
• Note: The IPCC does not itself undertake scientific assessments but only evaluates the state of scientific evidence on various aspects of climate change. (Hence, statement 1 is not correct)

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Explanation:

Montreux Record under the Ramsar Convention

• • It is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. 
  • It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List, also known as the List of Wetlands of International Importance. By July 2024, 82 wetlands from India as part of the Ramsar List. 
  • The Montreux Record was established by Recommendations of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (1990). 
  • Sites may be added to and removed from the Record only with the approval of the Contracting Parties in which they lie. 

• Currently, two wetlands of India are in Montreux record viz. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan and Loktak Lake, Manipur. (Hence, points 1 and 2 are correct)

• The Chilika Lake was included in the Montreux Record (threatened list) in 1993 due to change in its ecological character by Ramsar Convention but was later removed from it due to the successful restoration of the site. (Hence, point 3 is correct)
• Pulicat Lake was never on the Montreux record in the past. (Hence, point 4 is correct)

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Explanation:

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has been constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 
• It consists of the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (as Chairperson), the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment and Forests (as Vice-Chairperson), three members of Parliament, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests and other members. (Hence, point 1 is correct)

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a statutory board constituted under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (wildlife act). 
• It is a 47-member committee, headed by the Prime Minister and the minister of environment, forest and climate change (environment minister) as vice chairperson. So, point 2 is correct. (Hence, point 2 is not correct)
• In addition to offices and institutions directly involved in conservation and protection of wildlife, the NBWL also has the chief of army staff, defence secretary, expenditure secretary to Government of India as members. 

National Ganga Council

• National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986. 
• NGRBA has since been dissolved with effect from the 7th October 2016, consequent to the constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council) under chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. (Hence, point 3 is not correct)

Central Zoo Authority

• The Central Zoo Authority was established as a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in the year 1992. 
• The Authority consists of a Chairman (the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Environment and Forests), ten members and a Member Secretary. (Hence, point 4 is correct)
• The main objective of this Authority is to complement and strengthen the national effort in conservation of the rich biodiversity of the country, particularly the fauna as per the National Zoo Policy, 1998. 
• Other objectives of this Authority include - enforcing minimum standards and norms for upkeep and healthcare of animals in Indian zoos and to control mushrooming of unplanned and ill-conceived zoos.

So, only two of the bodies given above are chaired by the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. 

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Moderate | Factual

Explanation:

Noise Pollution in India: Concept, Laws and Silent Zones 

• • Any unwanted sound that causes annoyance, irritation and pain to the human ear is termed noise. 
  • It is measured in decibels (dB) that indicate the loudness of the sound.
  • In general, the human ear can tolerate noise levels up to 85 dB. Anything beyond that can affect their productivity and quality of life.
  • Permissible noise level in India
  • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has laid down the permissible noise levels in India for different areas. 
  • In industrial areas, the permissible limit is 75 dB for daytime and 70 dB at night.
  • In commercial areas, it is 65 dB and 55 dB, while in residential areas it is 55 dB and 45 dB during daytime and night respectively.
  • Additionally, state governments have declared ‘silent zones’ which include areas that lie within 100 meters of the premises of schools, colleges, hospitals and courts. 

• The permissible noise limit in this zone is 50 dB during the day and 40 dB during the night. 

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. 

Subject: Current Affairs | Environment

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual

Explanation:

• National Assessment Centre- PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) was set up in NCERT as an independent constituent unit. 

• There are four major areas of focus for PARAKH:

• Capacity Development in Competency Based Assessment
• Large-Scale Achievement Survey
• Equivalence of School Boards
• Holistic Progress Cards for the Foundational, Preparational, Middle and Secondary Stages.

• It is one of the several initiatives taken for implementation of National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020). 
• PARAKH has recommended that various educational boards create a credit transfer system that aligns with the National Credit Framework.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. 

Subject: Current Affairs | Schemes

Level of Difficulty: Easy | Factual