Mains Practice Questions

Q. Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards?

Q. Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (150 Words)

Q. Describe the major outcomes of the 26^th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (250 Words)

Q. How do you analyse the perceived trade-off between poverty reduction and environmental sustainability? (150 words)

Q. Discuss the causes of high GHG emissions from the agriculture sector and the steps that can be taken to minimise the emissions. (250 Words)

Q. “Conventional energy sources are more reliable and should not be abandoned until the alternatives like clean energy have been stringently stress tested.’’ Discuss. (250 Words)

Q. How do you analyse the perceived trade-off between poverty reduction and environmental sustainability? (150 words)

Q. Enumerate the major threats to wetlands in India? How can “wise use approach” help in mitigating these threats? (150 words)

Q. “Advancing human development is impossible if we continue to create planetary pressures for others”. In the context of Planetary pressures-adjusted Human Development Index (PHDI), Analyse the statement. (250 Words)

Q. Air pollution is a transboundary problem, it transcends rural and urban boundaries. But the issue of air pollution in rural India is rarely discussed and action plans are rigid. Analyse. (150 words)

Q. Mindless human development has only exacerbated negative impacts on ecologically vulnerable regions of the Western Ghats. In the light of the statement discuss the measures needed to conserve the fragile ecosystem. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss India's contribution towards net zero carbon emissions and what more India can do to achieve its goals of net-zero by 2070. (250 Words)

Q. Describe the various stages involved in undertaking Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). Also highlight the importance of Strategic Environmental Assessment (150 Words).

Q. ‘In India, the agriculture and allied sector is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gas after energy and manufacturing sectors.’ What changes should India make to achieve Carbon-efficient agriculture?

Q. Pledge for Net-Zero emission should be taken keeping the interests of our poorest and most vulnerable populations at the centre. Comment. (250 Words)

Q. Energy security is significant for socio-economic development. Discuss the challenges in achieving energy security and suggest measures to ensure it.

Q. Discuss innovative approaches for solid waste management that can help in dealing with increasing waste problems in Indian cities. (150 words)

Q. Watershed management refers to implementing land use practices and water management practices to protect and improve the quality of the water and other natural resources within a watershed. Explain how watershed management is key for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Q. What do you understand by Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)? What are the associated challenges and significance of EIA in India? (250 words)

Q. India stands a better chance of reaching the destination of a predominantly clean system if it makes natural gas the “next stop” in its energy journey. Discuss. (250 Words)

Q. Plastic pollution is the most widespread problem affecting the marine environment. Discuss. (250 Words)

Q. In the effort to secure a global consensus around this target, India must first “green” its fossil fuel energy basket. This can be done by increasing the share of natural gas. Discuss.

Q. Discuss the schism between the developed and developing world in climate change negotiations and coming up with a collective global action.

Q. How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006.

Q. Discuss how far Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) has been useful for our environment as well as society? (250 words)

Q. Without a focus on habitat conservation, success of project Tiger may lead to human-animal conflict. Discuss. (250 words)

Q. Resource efficiency is the key to a Green Economy. Elaborate. (250 words)

Q. Why is the Biosphere important for living organisms? (150 words)

Q. Explain the significance of the Eastern Ghats for India. Suggest steps that can be taken to conserve the biodiversity of the region. (250 words)

Q. Indigenous people are one of the most vulnerable sections facing climate change, however, they can act as change agents, towards mitigating and adapting to climate change. Discuss. (250 words)