Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon (Environment) | November 14,2020

The All India Tiger Estimation done every four year once, it is
Steered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority
Technically supported by Wildlife Institute of India
Implemented by State Forest Departments and partners.
Source: The Hindu

The Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) are implemented by the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to bridge the financing and learning gap between international climate change agreements.
They were designed by developed and developing countries. The World Bank is the Trustee of the CIFs.
It includes a “sunset clause” to ensure that the Fund’s activities do not prejudice the outcome on the UNFCCC negotiations.
CIFs are two distinct funds
Clean Technology Fund
Strategic Climate Fund.
The CTF promotes scaled-up financing for demonstration, deployment and transfer of low carbon technologies with a significant potential for long-term greenhouse gas emissions savings.
Source: World Bank

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.
Source: The Hindu

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.
Source: Vikaspedia

The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius, former name is Hemitragus hylocrius) is an endangered mountain ungulate endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats.
The species is found in a roughly 400 km stretch in the Western Ghats which falls in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Eravikulam National Park has the highest density and largest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr. 
“Big Four” refers to the four most common venomous snake species in India—spectacled cobra (Naja naja), saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus), Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) and common krait (Bungarus caeruleus).
Source: The Hindu

Germany’s forests have long been treasured by its people, so the country has reacted with alarm and dismay as a beetle infestation has turned climate-stressed woodlands into brown ecological graveyards.
After two unusually hot summers in a row, vast patches of the forests mythologised by medieval fairytales, Goethe’s writings and Romantic painters have turned into tinder-dry dead zones.
Given the scale of the threat to the one third of German territory covered by trees, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government convened a “national forest summit” on September 2019.
Source: The Hindu

Nandankanan Zoological Park is a premier large zoo of India.
Unlike other zoos in the country, Nandankanan is built right inside the forest and set in a completely natural environment.
The animals are housed in enclosures with greenery with a feel of real forest and live with no fear or apprehension of becoming the hunter’s prey.
Nandankanan is 15 kms from Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar.
The Bhubaneswar railway station is at a distance of 18 kms and the Biju Patnaik International Airport is at a distance of 20 kms.
Source: The Hindu

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants; and for matters connected there with or ancillary or incidental thereto.
It extends to the whole of India.
It has six schedules which give varying degrees of protection.
The blue whale falls in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Source: The Hindu

Crocodiles are ambush hunters and apex predator of river systems of the India.
There are three crocodilians species found in India, Mugger crocodile, the Gharial and the Saltwater Crocodile.
Mugger crocodile and the gharial are found throughout the Indian subcontinent and they are ambush hunters, mostly prey on fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Saltwater Crocodiles are the largest species of crocodilians family and largest of all living reptiles in the world.
The apex predator found in saline and brackish mangrove swamp forest of Bhitarkanika and Sunderbans.
Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district of Odisha is a separates swamp region and mangroves forest.
The park is home to largest Saltwater Crocodiles in India and many other species of reptiles such as White Crocodile, Indian Python and King Cobra.
Source: The Hindu

Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) is the assessment of how well protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves, community reserves and tiger reserves are being managed and their effectiveness in conserving target flora and fauna.
Source: The Hindu