1. Which of the following initiatives have been introduced in India to tackle e-waste?
- Extended Producer Responsibility
- Design for Environment
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle platform
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:- E-waste typically consists of metals, plastics, cathode ray tubes (CRTs), printed circuit boards, cables, and so on. Valuable metals such as copper, silver, gold, and platinum could be recovered from e-wastes, if they are scientifically processed.
- The presence of toxic substances such as liquid crystal, lithium, mercury, nickel, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), selenium, arsenic, barium, brominated flame retardants, cadmium, chrome, cobalt, copper, and lead, makes it very hazardous, if e-waste is dismantled and processed in a crude manner with rudimentary techniques.
- E-waste poses a huge risk to humans, animals, and the environment. The presence of heavy metals and highly toxic substances such as mercury, lead, beryllium, and cadmium pose a significant threat to the environment even in minute quantities.
- Consumers are the key to better management of e-waste. Initiatives such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR); Design for Environment (DfE); Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3Rs), technology platform for linking the market facilitating a circular economy aim to encourage consumers to correctly dispose their e-waste, with increased reuse and recycling rates, and adopt sustainable consumer habits.
2. Which of the following projects was launched under Arth Ganga, an inter-ministerial initiative?
[A] Project Dolphin
[B] Project Lion
[C] Project Crocodile
[D] Project Elephant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Project Dolphin]
Notes:- Project Dolphin is planned under Arth Ganga, an ambitious inter-ministerial initiative of the government. So far, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), has been taking some initiatives for saving dolphins. Now, Project Dolphin is expected to be implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Project Dolphin will involve conservation of Dolphins and the aquatic habitat through use of modern technology specially in enumeration and anti-poaching activities. The project will engage the fishermen and other river/ ocean dependent population and will strive for improving the livelihood of the local communities. The conservation of Dolphin will also envisage activities which will also help in the mitigation of pollution in rivers and in the oceans.
- Project Lion will involve conservation of the Asiatic Lion and its landscape in a holistic manner. The Project Lion will entail habitat development, engage modern technologies in Lion management and address the issues of disease in Lion and its associated species through advanced world-class research and veterinary care. The project will also address Human-wildlife conflict and will be inclusive involving local communities living in the vicinity of Lion landscape and will also provide livelihood opportunities.
- The Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in 1975 in different States. The Gharial and Saltwater crocodile conservation programme was first implemented in Odisha in early 1975 and subsequently the Mugger conservation programme was initiated. As a result of the programme, the estimated number of the saltwater crocodiles increased from 96 in 1976 to 1,640 in 2012 in India.
- Project Elephant is a centrally sponsored scheme and was launched in February 1992 for the protection of elephants, their habitats and corridors. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides financial and technical support to major elephant range states in the country through the project.
3. Which of the following calendars is/are based on the movement of sun?
- Nanakshahi
- Hebrew
- Hijri
- Vikrami
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 2 & 4
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1
[D] Only 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 ]
Notes:- The Nanakshahi calendar is a tropical solar calendar used in Sikhism. It is based on the “Barah Maha”, a composition composed by the Sikh gurus reflecting the changes in nature conveyed in the twelve-month cycle of the year. The year begins with the month of Chet, with 1 Chet corresponding to 14 March.
- The Hebrew calendar, also called the Jewish calendar, is a lunisolar calendar used today for Jewish religious observance, and as an official calendar of the state of Israel.
- The Hijri calendar is an Islamic lunar calendar which consists of 12 lunar months and 354/355 days. The Hijri calendar is used to determine the Islamic holidays and rituals such as the annual period of fasting and the pilgrimage time to Mecca. The Islamic year began in AD 622 during which the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, known as the Hijra happened.
- The Vikram Samvat also regarded as the Vikrami calendar is a historical calendar for the Hindus in India. Vikram Samvat is also the official calendar of Nepal and is named after the king Vikramaditya. It starts at 57 B.C. before the 9th century with Vikramaditya. It is based on the movement of the moon and has 354 days in a year. It has 12 months with each month divided into two phases: Shukla paksha (15 days) – begins with new moon and ends with full moon; Krishna paksha (15 days) – begins with full moon and ends with new moon.
