Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon – September 7, 2018

All the mentioned practices can reduce salinization of soils. Soil salinization occurs when water-soluble salts accumulate in the soil to a level that impacts on agricultural production, environmental health, and economics. Salinity affects the metabolism of soil organisms and reduces soil productivity, gradually it destroys all vegetation and other organisms living in the soil, consequently transforming fertile and productive land into barren and desertified lands.

The main reasons behind salinization of soils are:

1. Naturally induced saline soils.
2. Artificially induced salinization, such as irrigation
3. Sea-level rise and surface seawater seepage and sea water infiltration into the groundwater

Statement A is incorrect:

Chilka lake lies in between the deltas of Mahanadi and Godavari. Chilka Lake: Chilka Lake or lagoon is the largest coastal lagoon or brackish water lake in India and Asia. It is second largest lagoon in the world after New Caledonian barrier reef in New Caledonia, United States. It spread over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on east coast of India, covering an area of over 1,100 km2 at mouth of Daya River, flowing into Bay of Bengal. It is largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on Indian sub-continent. It is one of the hotspot of biodiversity in country and some rare, vulnerable and endangered species listed in IUCN Red List of threatened Animals inhabit in lagoon for at least part of their life cycle. It was designated as the first “Ramsar Site” of India on account of its rich biodiversity and ecological significance. Nalaban Island within the lagoon is notified as Bird Sanctuary under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It also has been identified as a priority site for conservation and management.

The oceans in the northern hemisphere record relatively higher temperature than in the southern hemisphere. The highest temperature is not recorded at the equator but slightly towards north of it. The average annual temperatures for the northern and southern hemisphere are around 19° C and 16° C respectively. This variation is due to the unequal distribution of land and water in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Statement 2 is correct.

The most outstanding feature of the equatorial climate is its great uniformity of temperature throughout the year. The mean monthly temperatures are always around 27° C with very little variation. There is no winter. Cloudiness and heavy precipitation moderate the daily temperature. Regular land and sea breezes assist in maintaining a truly equable climate. The diurnal range of temperature is small, and so is the annual range.

Statement 3 is correct.

The isotherms are irregular over the northern hemisphere due to an enhanced land-sea contrast. Because of predominance of land over water in the north, the northern hemisphere is warmer. The thermal equator (ITCZ) lies generally to the north of geographical equator.

Both the statements are correct.

Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon is much powerful than the Bay of Bengal branch for reasons:

1. The Arabian Sea is larger than the Bay of Bengal, and
2. The entire Arabian Sea current advances towards India, whereas only a part of the Bay of Bengal current enters India, the remainder proceeding to Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia.
3. The Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoons is divided into three distinct streams on arriving in the mainland of India.

Both the statements are correct.

The Government has formulated the National Oil Spill –Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) for establishing an integrated national system for responding promptly and effectively to deal with any oil pollution incident. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), is designated as the Central Coordinating Agency (CCA) for marine oil spill response activities. The Government of India has initiated various measures to ensure that Oil Spill at Sea is given top priority by all the concerned agencies. Pollution response teams have been established by the Indian Coast Guard at Mumbai, Chennai and Port Blair. Further, a pollution response centre is also established at Vadinar, Gujarat. Two dedicated pollution response vessels have been commissioned and pollution response equipment have been procured. To ensure response preparedness regular training and exercises are conducted by the Indian Coast Guard.

Statement 1 is correct.

HEFA was set in September 2016 after it received Cabinet approval to provide financial assistance to institutes of higher education in addition to grants given by Union Ministry of Human Resources Development.

Statement 2 is correct.

HEFA is a not-for profit organisation that will leverage funds from market and supplement them with donations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. These funds will be used to finance improvement in infrastructure in top institutions and will be serviced through internal accruals (earned through the fee receipts, research earnings etc.).

Statement 3 is incorrect.

HEFA provides only additional finance for promoting research in the higher educational institutions, the primary funding is provided by the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development through grants.

Statement 1 is incorrect.

FSSAI can conduct testing of all food items including milk and imported food items.

Statement 2 is correct.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and Standards, 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments. FSSAI has been created for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

Statement 3 is correct.

FSSAI has been mandated by the FSS Act, 2006 for providing training programmes for persons who are involved or intend to get involved in food businesses.