Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 19-01-2023

Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 19-01-2023

Daily Current Affairs (MCQ's) | 19-01-2023

Q1. Ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ) notified under the

a. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

b. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002

c. The Environment Protection Act 1986

d. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

Answer (c)

Explanation:

The conflict behind eco-sensitive zones:

Ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ) are intended to safeguard ‘protected areas’ — national parks and wildlife sanctuaries — by transitioning from an area of lower protection to an area of higher protection. However, the creation of these zones has provoked protests in Kerala and some other regions.

The process of ESZs implementation:

• The 2002 Wildlife Conservation Strategy envisaged lands within 10 km of the boundaries of protected areas to be notified as ecologically fragile zones under Section 3(2)(v) of the Environment Protection Act 1986 and its Rules.

• In 2005, the National Board for Wildlife decided to delineate site- specific ESZs to regulate specific activities instead of prohibiting them. Therefore, in May 2005, the MoEFCC asked the States and UTs to propose ESZs.

• A committee consisting of the Wildlife Warden, an ecologist, and an official from the local government was to determine the extent of each ESZ, the nature of environmental concerns to be addressed and ways to address them. The Chief Wildlife Warden was to then list the activities that were to be prohibited, to be restricted with safeguards and to be permitted.

• Within two years of notification, the State government is required to draft a Zonal Master Plan for each ESZ in consultation with a number of departments.

• Additionally, to monitor compliance with the various provisions of each notification, a State had to set up a monitoring committee for each ESZ.

Q2. The Seshachalam forest is situated in the state of

a. Odisha

b. Andhra Pradesh

c. Kerala

d. Maharashtra

Answer (b)

Explanation:

Spot-bellied eagle owl spotted in A.P.’s Seshachalam forest for the first time

• A wildlife team recently stumbled upon a spot-bellied eagle owl (Bubo Nipalensis) for the first time in the Seshachalam forest, and for the third time in Andhra Pradesh.

• The bird’s habitat, found on large trees in thick forests, is spread across the Indian subcontinent. But it was sighted only twice in the State earlier, and both the times it was at Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR).

• Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve in India situated inside Nallamala forest Andhra Pradesh.

Q3. Consider the following statements

1. Many more people live north of the Equator than south of the Equator.

2. Almost three-quarters of the world’s people live in two continents: Asia and Africa.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (d)

Explanation:

Distribution of Population :

• The way in which people are spread across the earth surface is known as the pattern of population distribution. More than 90 per cent of the world’s population lives in about 30 per cent of the land surface.

• The distribution of population in the world is extremely uneven. Some areas are very crowded and some are sparely populated. The crowded areas are south and south east Asia, Europe and north eastern North America. Very few people live in high latitude areas, tropical deserts, high mountains and areas of equatorial forests.

• Many more people live north of the Equator than south of the Equator. Almost three-quarters of the world’s people live in two continents Asia and Africa.

• Sixty per cent of the world’s people stay in just 10 countries. All of them have more than a 100 million people.

Q4. Consider the following statements

1. Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a long period of time (more than thirty years).

2. Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere over an area at any point of time.

3. The elements of weather and climate are different, while climate focuses on temperature and atmospheric pressure weather focuses on wind, humidity and precipitation.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 and 2 only

b. 1 only

c. 2 and 3 only

d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (a)

Explanation:

Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a long period of time (more than thirty years). Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere over an area at any point of time. The elements of weather and climate are the same, i.e. temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity and precipitation. You may have observed that the weather conditions fluctuate very often even within a day. But there is some common pattern over a few weeks or months, i.e. days are cool or hot, windy or calm, cloudy or bright, and wet or dry. On the basis of the generalised monthly atmospheric conditions, the year is divided into seasons such as winter, summer or rainy seasons.

Q5. Consider the following statements

1. In the Thar Desert the day temperature may rise to 50°C, and drop down to near 15°C the same night.

2. There is hardly any difference in day and night temperatures in the Andaman and Nicobar islands or in Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (c)

Explanation:

The climate of India is described as the ‘monsoon’ type. In Asia, this type of climate is found mainly in the south and the southeast. Despite an overall unity in the general pattern, there are perceptible regional variations in climatic conditions within the country.

In summer, the mercury occasionally touches 50°C in some parts of the Rajasthan desert, whereas it may be around 20°C in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. On a winter night, temperature at Drass in Jammu and Kashmir may be as low as minus 45°C. Thiruvananthapuram, on the other hand, may have a temperature of 22°C.

In certain places there is a wide difference between day and night temperatures. In the Thar Desert the day temperature may rise to 50°C, and drop down to near 15°C the same night. On the other hand, there is hardly any difference in day and night temperatures in the Andaman and Nicobar islands or in Kerala.

The sea exerts a moderating influence on climate: As the distance from the sea increases, its moderating influence decreases and the people experience extreme weather conditions. This condition is known as continentality (i.e. very hot during summers and very cold during winters).

Q6. Which of the following factors affect the climate of a place?

1. Latitude

2. Continentality

3. Ocean currents

4. Relief features

Select the correct answer using the code given below

a. 1 and 2 only

b. 3 and 4 only

c. 1, 2 and 3 only

d. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer (d)

Explanation:

There are six major controls of the climate of any place. They are: latitude, altitude, pressure and wind system, distance from the sea (continentality), ocean currents and relief features.

Due to the curvature of the earth, the amount of solar energy received varies according to latitude. As a result, air temperature generally decreases from the equator towards the poles. As one goes from the surface of the earth to higher altitudes, the atmosphere becomes less dense and temperature decreases. The hills are therefore cooler during summers. The pressure and wind system of any area depend on the latitude and altitude of the place. Thus it influences the temperature and rainfall pattern. The sea exerts a moderating influence on climate: As the distance from the sea increases, its moderating influence decreases and the people experience extreme weather conditions. This condition is known as continentality (i.e. very hot during summers and very cold during winters). Ocean currents along with onshore winds affect the climate of the coastal areas, For example, any coastal area with warm or cold currents flowing past it, will be warmed or cooled if the winds are onshore.

Finally, relief too plays a major role in determining the climate of a place. High mountains act as barriers for cold or hot winds; they may also cause precipitation if they are high enough and lie in the path of rain-bearing winds. The leeward side of the mountains remains relatively dry.

Q7. Consider the following statements

1. India’s climate has characteristics of tropical as well as subtropical climates

2. Due to the curvature of the earth, the amount of solar energy received varies according to latitude

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer (c)

Explanation:

Due to the curvature of the earth, the amount of solar energy received varies according to latitude. As a result, air temperature generally decreases from the equator towards the poles.

The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country from the Rann of Kachchh in the west to Mizoram in the east. Almost half of the country, lying south of the Tropic of Cancer, belongs to the tropical area. All the remaining area, north of the Tropic, lies in the sub-tropics. Therefore, India’s climate has characteristics of tropical as well as subtropical climates.