Which one of the following is the nodal agency in India for the United Nations Environment Programme?
- A.The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- B.The Ministry of Science and Technology
- C.The Ministry of Earth Sciences
- D.The Ministry of Home Affairs
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This ministry plans, promotes and coordinates India's environmental policy, so it deals with UNEP on India's behalf.
UNEP was set up in 1972 after the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm and has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. It sets the global environmental agenda and publishes reports such as the Emissions Gap Report. The Environment Ministry is also India's nodal body for other environmental treaties and programmes, including the UNFCCC, the Convention on Biological Diversity and SACEP, and it hosts India's part in the Montreal Protocol work on the ozone layer.
Option B is wrong because the Ministry of Science and Technology handles research departments such as DST, DBT and CSIR. Option C is wrong because the Ministry of Earth Sciences looks after weather, oceans and seismology through bodies such as IMD. Option D is wrong because the Ministry of Home Affairs deals with internal security, police and disaster management.
Exam tip: UNEP = 1972, Stockholm conference, HQ Nairobi; India's nodal agency = MoEFCC.
Practice Questions
View allThe city of Cartagena, which is famous for Protocol on Biosafety, is located in
- A.Colombia
- B.Venezuela
- C.Brazil
- D.Guyana
Show answer
Cartagena is a port city on Colombia's Caribbean coast, where talks on the biosafety protocol were held in 1999. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is NOT a biocontrol agent ?
- A.Bacillus thuringiensis
- B.Ladybird beetle
- C.Trichoderma
- D.Aphid
Show answer
An aphid is a sap-sucking insect pest of crops, so it is the target of biocontrol, not an agent of it.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following can be considered associated with mitigation of environmental problems ?
- A.Biomagnification
- B.Accelerated eutrophication
- C.Release of Nuclear wastes
- D.Categorical disposal of different wastes
Show answer
Sorting wastes into categories and disposing of each in the proper way reduces pollution, so it helps solve environmental problems rather than cause them.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is a cause of acid rains?
- A.Ozone
- B.Ammonia
- C.Sulphur dioxide
- D.Carbon monoxide
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Sulphur dioxide dissolves in rainwater to form sulphuric acid, a main cause of acid rain. Burning coal and oil in power stations, smelters and vehicles releases sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the air.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following are the major coral reef areas of India ?
1. Gulf of Kachchh
2. Gulf of Mannar
3. Lakshadweep
4. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A.1 and 3 only
- B.2 and 4 only
- C.1, 2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
All four areas are recognised as the major coral reef areas of India. India's coral reefs lie in four main regions.
Read the full explanation →