Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon (Environment) – September 5, 2020

The greater one-horned rhino (or “Indian rhino”) is the largest of the rhino species. Once widespread across the entire northern part of the Indian sub-continent, rhino populations plummeted as they were hunted for sport or killed as agricultural pests.

• This pushed the species very close to extinction and by the start of the 20thcentury; around 200 wild greater one-horned rhinos remained.
• The recovery of the greater one-horned rhino is among the greatest conservation success stories in Asia.
• Thanks to strict protection and management from Indian and Nepalese wildlife authorities, the greater one-horned rhino was brought back from the brink.
• Today populations have increased to around 3,500 rhinos in northeastern India and the Terai grasslands of Nepal.
• The greater one-horned rhino is identified by a single black horn about 8-25 inches long and a grey-brown hide with skin folds, which gives it an armor-plated appearance.
• The species is solitary, except when adult males or rhinos nearing adulthood gather at wallows or to graze. Males have loosely defined home ranges that are not well defended and often overlap.
• They primarily graze, with a diet consisting almost entirely of grasses as well as leaves, branches of shrubs and trees, fruit, and aquatic plants.

There are 50 tiger reserves in India which are governed by Project Tiger which is administrated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

India is home to 70% of tigers in the world. In 2006, there were 1,411 tigers which increased to 1,706 in 2010 and 2,226 in 2014, according to the NTCA.

Seven months after the plugging of Kanpur’s infamous Sisamau drain, which once drained nearly 140 million litres of untreated sewage into the Ganga and was a symbol of pollution in the river — the river continues to be unfit for bathing or drinking, according to a perusal of water quality reports.

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has defined norms on what constitutes acceptable river water quality.
• Three attributes: Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Coliform Matter (TCM) must conform to certain numbers.
• The DO should be 4 milligram/litre or more for it to be fit for drinking after disinfestations and treatment and, BOD should be 3mg/l or less and TCM/100 ml should be 5,000 or less.
• For it to be a fit source of bathing water: DO should be 5 or more, BOD should be 3 or less and TCM 500 or less.

The Jacobin Cuckoo is one lucky bird indeed. At least according to Indian myth. Also known as the Pied Cuckoo or Chatak, this bird heralds the onset of the monsoon in India.

• Being an agricultural economy the rainy season is considered one of the most auspicious seasons in the country. And so, the Pied Cuckoo in North and Central India is a welcome sight.
• It is a bird with black and white plumage (pied) with a fancy crest on the head. Its scientific name is Clamator jacobinus.
• The genus ‘Clamator’ literally translates to being a shouter, a bird which is quite vocal, so you’ll hear yourself surrounded by the calls close to the monsoon. The word ‘jacobinus’ relates to pied birds.
• There are two populations of the Pied Cuckoo in India. One is a resident in the southern part of the country.
• The other, according to tracking by birders, makes its way to North and Central India from Africa by crossing the Arabian Sea, along with the monsoon winds.
• When the monsoon arrives in all its majesty, its sighting also spreads widely.
• The bird is primarily arboreal, which means that it mostly lives on trees but often forages for food in low bushes, and sometimes even on the ground.
• Considering its arboreal nature, it prefers forests, well-wooded areas and also bushes in semi-arid regions.
• These birds are primarily insectivores and feed on grasshoppers, beetles and are also often seen feeding on fruits and berries from trees.

eXXpedition is a Community Interest Company and not-for-profit organisation that runs pioneering all-female sailing research expeditions to investigate the causes of and solutions to ocean plastic pollution.

• Founded in 2014, we have run expeditions all over the world.
• Previous scientific research has highlighted the endemic nature of micro-plastics within our ocean environments globally.
• Our focus now is to advance a better understanding of the plastics issue as a whole and to work with industry to pinpoint solutions and policy at a global level by addressing knowledge-gaps and delivering evidence to inform effective solutions.

Ethiopians planted more than 200 million trees on July 29, 2019 which officials stated will be a world record.

• The ambitious initiative of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed aims to help restore the country’s landscape which experts say is fast being eroded by deforestation and climate change.
• The state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate announced more than 224 million trees were planted on Monday, surpassing the initial goal of 200 million trees planted in one day.
• Ethiopia is in the midst of a tree planting campaign in which it aims to plant 4 billion trees between May and October.
• Agriculture officials stated that so far more than 2.6 billion trees have been planted in almost all parts of the East African nation.

Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhsagar waterfalls are located in Goa.

• Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary: is in sanga reddy district of Telangana State.
• Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary: is located in Karnataka.

Satkosia spreads along the magnificent gorge over the mighty river Mahanadi in Odisha.

• Established in 1976 as a wildlife sanctuary, Satkosia is a paradise of immense scenic charm.
• It is one of the best ecosystems in the country, representing a diverse floral and faunal extravaganza.
  The name Satkosia originates from two words; sat meaning seven and kos meaning two miles, indicating the length of the gorge as 14 miles or 22 km.
• The area was declared as Satkosia Tiger Reserve in 2007, comprising two adjoining wildlife sanctuaries; the Satkosia Gorge sanctuary and Baisipalli sanctuary. The Reserve is spread over 4 districts like; Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh.

The forests of Panna National Park (Tiger Reserve) along with Ken Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining territorial divisions form a significant part of the catchment area of the 406 km (252 mi) Ken River which runs northeast for about 72 km (45 mi) through the park.

Conservation of biodiversity includes the preservation of all species, flora and fauna, the enhancement of wildlife habitat, the control of wildlife problems and the sustainable use of forests and wildlife.

• The rapid rate of extinction of many species of animals is an increasing concern. Habitat preservation and enhancement are critical to existence of wildlife in an area.
• Animals cannot live in an area that does not provide proper food, cover, water and special needs.
• People’s activities alter many habitats, which acts as a detriment to wildlife. Conservation and sustainable use of biological resources based on local knowledge systems and practices is ingrained in the Indian ethos and way of life.

Legislation Relevant To Biodiversity Conservation:

• Fisheries Act 1897.
• Indian Forests Act 1927.
• Mining and Mineral Development Regulation Act 1957.
• Prevention of cruelty to animals 1960.
• Wildlife protection act 1972.
• Water (prevention and control of pollution) act 1974.
• Forest Conservation Act 1980.
• Air (prevention and control of pollution) act 1981.
• Environment Protection Act 1986.
• Biological Diversity Act 2002.
• Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers (recognition of rights) act 2006.

The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Conference) was an international conference convened under United Nations auspices held in Stockholm, Sweden from June 5-16, 1972.

It was the UN’s first major conference on international environmental issues, and marked a turning point in the development of international environmental politics.