Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata is the apex research organization under Ministry of Environment, Forest to handle taxonomic and floristic studies.

Zoological survey of India handles exploration, research on fauna.

Forest survey of India, 1981 to assess country's forest resources at a regular interval.

UN Conventions:

Convention of Biological Diversity [2000]

The Cartegena biosafety protocol was designed and adopted for safe handling of living modified organisms. The Nagoya protocol on equitable sharing of benefits out of biotechnology research too was setup in 2010. India has implemented all these through the National Biodiversity Act, 2000. It is a party to all of them.

Marine Ecosystems

Mangrove:They are needed to protect the adverse effects of storms on terrestrial systems. they act as a buffer hence they are important. Mangroves cover 4300 sq. km in India and are present in all coastal states and UT's.

Coral reefs: They cover an area 2400 sq. km and are located in four identified areas like Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar.

Bodies:

Central Zoo Authority: 12 member body. HQ in New Delhi. To oversee the functioning of zoos to enhance their role in conservation.

National Tiger Conservation Authority: The body oversees the implementation of Project Tiger. It is headed by the PM and vice chairman is the Minister of Environment and Forests. No tiger reserve can be changed in any manner without the approval of this body.

Animal Welfare Board of India: It is created under the Prevention of cruelty to animals Act. It works for animal welfare in the country.

Q.Which of the following best describes/ describe the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India?
1. Incorporating environment al benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the `green accounting’
2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agricultural output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future
3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (UPSC CSAT 2016)

1. 1 only




2. 2 and 3 only




3. 3 only




4. 1, 2 and 3

Ans . C

1. Environment ministry has launched National Mission for a Green India through a consultative process involving relevant stakeholders, aimed at both increasing the forest and tree cover by 5 million ha, as well as increasing the quality of the existing forest cover in another 5 million ha.

Q.‘Net metering’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of promoting the (UPSC CSAT 2016)

1. production and use of solar energy by the households/consumers




2. use of piped natural gas in the kitchens of households




3. installation of CNG kits in motor-cars




4. installation of water meters in urban households

Ans . A

1. Under Net-metering system, Customer installs a solar or windpower plant on his premise, gets it grid-connected with the electricity distribution company (DISCOM)

Q.On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label?
1. Ceiling fans
2. Electric geysers
3. Tubular fluorescent lamps
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (UPSC CSAT 2016)

1. 1 and 2 only




2. 3 only




3. 2 and 3 only




4. 1, 2 and 3

Ans . D

1. All are covered.

Q.In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?
1. Carbon dioxide
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Nitrogen dioxide
4. Sulfur dioxide
5. Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (UPSC CSAT 2016)

1. 1, 2 and 3 only




2. 2, 3 and 4 only




3. 1, 4 and 5 only




4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans .

1. NO2, SO2 and CO are covered

Q.Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’?
1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.
2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.
Select the correct answer using the code given Below. (UPSC CSAT 2016)

1. 1 and 2 only




2. 2 and 3 only




3. 1 and 3 only




4. 1, 2 and 3

Ans . A

1. PM is chairman of NGRBA

Q.‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to (UPSC CSAT 2016)

1. constitutional reforms




2. Ganga Action Plan




3. linking of rivers




4. protection of Western Ghats

Ans . D

1. They’re associated with Western Ghat conservation plan