Daily Quiz #9 UPSC Prelims Marathon – August 10, 2019

Explanation: The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.
The MARPOL Convention was adopted on 2 November 1973 at IMO. The Protocol of 1978 was adopted in response to a spate of tanker accidents in 1976-1977. As the 1973 MARPOL Convention had not yet entered into force, the 1978 MARPOL Protocol absorbed the parent Convention. The combined instrument entered into force on 2 October 1983. In 1997, a Protocol was adopted to amend the Convention and a new Annex VI was added which entered into force on 19 May 2005. MARPOL has been updated by amendments through the years.
The Convention includes regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships – both accidental pollution and that from routine operations – and currently includes six technical Annexes.

Explanation:
•Pricing of water should ensure its efficient use and reward conservation. Equitable access to water for all and its fair pricing, for drinking and other uses such as sanitation, agricultural and industrial, should be arrived at through independent statutory Water Regulatory Authority, set up by each State, after wide ranging consultation with all stakeholders.
•In order to meet equity, efficiency and economic principles, the water charges should preferably / as a rule be determined on volumetric basis. Such charges should be reviewed periodically
•Water Users Associations (WUAs) should be given statutory powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges, manage the volumetric quantum of water allotted to them and maintain the distribution system in their jurisdiction. WUAs should be given the freedom to fix rates subject to floor rates determined by WRAs.

Explanation:
•Set up in 1982, the Territorial Army’s Ecological Task Force (ETF) is the world’s first ecological battalion. From saving deforested hills from desertification to transforming abandoned mines into lush green forests, the ETF has done it all!
•The concept of ETF was first initiated by the Indian government in 1980 to undertake ecological restoration work in terrains rendered difficult either due to remote location, severe degradation or risky law-and-order situations. The other important objective of this project was to promote and provide meaningful employment to local ex-servicemen in the Territorial Army (the country’s second line of defense after the regular Army).
•The idea behind ETF battalions was to infuse military-like work culture and commitments into high-priority eco-projects. Under this scheme, these battalions would be raised by the Ministry of Defense while their operational expenditure would be reimbursed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Raw materials (like saplings, equipment and fencing) and technical guidance would be provided by the state forest departments.

Explanation:
•Build up scientific knowledge on wildlife resources.
•Train personnel at various levels for conservation and management of wildlife.
•Carry out research relevant to management including the development of techniques appropriate to Indian conditions.
•Provide information and advice on specific wildlife management problems.
•Collaborate with international organizations on wildlife research, management and training.
•Develop as a regional centre of international importance on wildlife and natural resource conservation.
•Publicity and consultancy services

Explanation: Primary pollutants are any type of pollutant directly into the environment. They differ from secondary pollutants because secondary pollutants must form in the atmosphere, whereas primary pollutants do not. Primary pollutants can be emitted from many sources including cars, coal-fired power plants, natural gas power plants, biomass burning, natural forest fires, volcanoes, and many more. The effects of primary pollutants are of concern as they can be harmful to humans, animals and plants. Their contribution to the formation of secondary pollutants is also concerning, as this is what causes harmful ground level ozone to form, along with different smog’s, especially in densely populated cities such as Los Angeles. The emission of primary pollutants has decreased considerably in the past years, due to improved regulations, technology and economic changes.
Types of primary pollutants include:
•Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
•Carbon monoxide (CO)
•Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
•Sulfur oxides (SOx)
•Particulate matter (PM)
•Mercury