Daily Quiz #89 UPSC Prelims Marathon – February 15, 2020

Explanation: Fresh community consists of an array of organisms depending on the physic-chemical and biological characteristics of the freshwater environment. Freshwater habitats are divided into two major categories:
•Lotic (lotus=washed, or running water): Lotic habitats are those existing in relatively fast running streams, springs, rivers and brooks.
•Lentic (lenis=calm, or standing water): Lentic habitats are represented by the lakes, ponds and swamps.

Explanation: A carbon credit is a tradable permit or certificate that provides the holder of the credit the right to emit one ton of carbon dioxide or an equivalent of another greenhouse gas. The main goal for the creation of carbon credits is the reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from industrial activities to reduce the effects of global warming.
Carbon credits are market mechanisms of the minimization of greenhouse gases emission. The introduction of carbon credit was ratified in the Kyoto Protocol. The Paris Agreement validates the application of carbon credits to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases and sets the provisions for the further facilitation of the carbon credits markets.
Types of Carbon Credits
There are two types of the carbon credits:
•Voluntary emissions reduction (VER): A carbon offset that is exchanged in the over-the-counter or voluntary market for credits.
•Certified emissions reduction (CER): Emission units (or Carbon credits) created through a regulatory framework with the purpose of offsetting a project’s emission. The main difference between the two is that there is a third party certifying body that regulates the CER as opposed to the VER.

Explanation: 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.

Explanation: In India, 605 protected areas covering 5.2% of the total geographical area. Under this96 national parks, 509 wildlife sanctuaries, 3 conservation reserve. These are established under the wildlife (protection) Act.
In India, there are 4 important marine national parks
•Gulf of Kachchh National marine park (established in 1980; Okha to Jodia, Gujarat coast covering 42 islands; area 400 km2.
•Gulf of Mannar National marine park (established in 1986; Rameswarwm to Tuticorin, Tamilnadu; area 623ha)
•Wan door mahatma Gandhi marine park (established in 1983; area 281.50 km2, South Andaman)
•Rani Jhansi marine national park (established in 1996, area256.41 km2, Andaman)
Marine Sanctuaries:
•Bhitarakanika Gahiramatha sanctuaries (established in 1997: area 1,453 km2, Odisha.
•Malvan marine sanctuaries (established in 1987; area 29.12km2, Maharastra)
•Gulf of Kachchh (established in 1980, area 295.03 km2, Gujarat.

Explanation: Apes Family of India: Unlike Africa in India we have only one species of Apes which even though is an ape yet is not one to be classified as one of the Great Apes (Chimpanzees & Gorillas). It does has distinctive build of an ape-arms are longer than the legs and the body is tailless.
Hoolock Gibbon (Hylobates hoolock):
It is the only ape to be found in India and is generally to seen in the forests of the North- East India and neighboring Bangladesh and Burma. The males have a black coat and the females can be distinguished by their lighter coat having grayish color.
Hoolocks prefer to live in small groups in the hilly forests and feed on tender leaves, fruits, and insects including spiders. Their main source of water is from the dew which forms on the leaves. The young ones are normally born in the winter months between December and March. The average height of a Gibbon is 3 feet and the arms are normally double the length of its legs.