1. Which of the following statements about the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in India is correct?
(A) ANRF is a public-sector initiative aimed solely at promoting research and development in biotechnology.
(B) ANRF is a Public-Private Partnership initiative focused on sustainability science, promoting academia-industry collaboration through policies like BioE3.
(C) ANRF is a foundation launched by the Indian government to exclusively address climate change issues in the agricultural sector.
(D) ANRF solely supports the pharmaceutical industry in developing sustainable practices.
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (B) ANRF is a Public-Private Partnership initiative focused on sustainability science, promoting academia-industry collaboration through policies like BioE3.
ANRF is a Public-Private Partnership initiative that aims to support research and development in India, particularly emphasizing sustainability through academia-industry collaboration under policies like the BioE3. The BioE3 policy itself is focused on sustainable development, especially by transforming traditional industries to bio-based industrial models, which is significant for sectors such as FMCG.
2. Which of the following issues is NOT directly part of UN-Habitat’s Urban Basic Services program?
(A) Waste management
(B) Urban mobility
(C) Food security
(D) Social security
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (D) Social security
UN-Habitat’s Urban Basic Services program addresses waste management, urban mobility, and water and sanitation, but social security is not a direct focus.
3. What rank did India achieve in the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI)?
(A) 136th out of 150 countries
(B) 176th out of 193 countries
(C) 146th out of 150 countries
(D) 176th out of 180 countries
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (D) 176th out of 180 countries
India has been ranked 176th out of 180 countries on the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI), with a score of 45.5/100, placing it among the lowest-ranking nations in terms of environmental conservation. This index, launched in October 2024, assesses countries based on land management, biodiversity threats, conservation capacity, and governance. India’s low ranking highlights significant challenges in managing its rich biodiversity and environmental resources, prompting a call for more effective policies and sustainable practices.
4. Which institution developed the Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI)?
(A) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(B) Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change
(C) United Nations Environment Programme
(D) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (B) Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change
The Global Nature Conservation Index was developed by the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of Negev, in collaboration with BioDB.com, a non-profit focused on biodiversity data. The index evaluates 180 countries across four primary pillars:
(1.) Land Management – Focuses on the sustainable use and protection of land resources.
(2.) Threats to Biodiversity – Measures the extent of risks to species and ecosystems.
(3.) Capacity and Governance – Assesses the effectiveness of environmental regulations and institutions.
(4.) Future Trends – Predicts potential outcomes based on current environmental policies and practices.
5. What Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is most closely associated with UN-Habitat’s mission?
(A) SDG 5
(B) SDG 9
(C) SDG 13
(D) SDG 11
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (D) SDG 11
Cities and Climate Change: A Glimpse into Urban Sustainability and Youth Empowerment:
As global urbanization continues at a rapid pace, projections indicate that by 2050, cities will house nearly 70% of the world’s population. By 2030, 60% of the population will reside in urban areas, with a significant proportion of these urban dwellers—up to 60%—being under the age of 18. This urban shift presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in the context of climate change and sustainable development. While cities have made strides toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they continue to face persistent issues like poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation, especially in regions within the Global South. These challenges demand urgent action and innovative solutions.
Celebrated annually on October 31, World Cities Day highlights both the achievements of urbanization and the challenges that accompany rapid urban growth. Launched by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, this day aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which envisions cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The celebration seeks to spark global dialogue on sustainable urban development, encourage knowledge exchange, and build partnerships to address shared challenges cities face worldwide.
6. Which of the following is NOT a primary focus area of UN-Habitat?
(A) Promoting sustainable urban development
(B) Ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation
(C) Overseeing international criminal law
(D) Reducing urban poverty
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (C) Overseeing international criminal law
UN-Habitat focuses on sustainable urban development, water and sanitation access, and reducing urban poverty. International criminal law is beyond its scope.
7. What percentage of fisheries in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are overexploited, according to the NCI report?
(A) 25.4%
(B) 30.2%
(C) 34.5%
(D) 40.1%
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (C) 34.5%
Marine conservation emerged as another area where India requires significant improvement. Despite protecting 7.5% of its terrestrial territory, only 0.2% of national waterways fall under protected areas. Even more concerning, none of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is currently under protection. Approximately 34.5% of fisheries in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are overexploited. This overuse not only threatens marine biodiversity but also impacts coastal communities that depend on fishing for their livelihood. Strengthening marine conservation initiatives and expanding protected areas within India’s waterways and EEZ are necessary to address this gap.
8. Which of the following issues is NOT directly part of UN-Habitat’s Urban Basic Services program?
(A) Waste management
(B) Urban mobility
(C) Food security
(D) Social security
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (D) Social security
UN-Habitat’s Urban Basic Services program addresses waste management, urban mobility, and water and sanitation, but social security is not a direct focus.
9. Which of the following is NOT one of the four pillars used by the Global Nature Conservation Index to assess environmental protection?
(A) Waste management
(B) Threats to Biodiversity
(C) Capacity and Governance
(D) Future Trends
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (A) Waste management
The index evaluates 180 countries across four primary pillars:
(1.) Land Management – Focuses on the sustainable use and protection of land resources.
(2.) Threats to Biodiversity – Measures the extent of risks to species and ecosystems.
(3.) Capacity and Governance – Assesses the effectiveness of environmental regulations and institutions.
(4.) Future Trends – Predicts potential outcomes based on current environmental policies and practices.
10. What legislative act has been identified as a concern in the NCI report for potentially facilitating commercial activities in forest areas?
(A) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
(B) Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023
(C) Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023
(D) Environmental Protection Act, 1986
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (C) Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023
The Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023, has been flagged in the NCI report for allowing commercial activities in forest areas and exempting some infrastructure projects from environmental assessments.
11. What score did India receive on the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index?
(A) 54.5
(B) 56.5
(C) 45.5
(D) 46.4
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (C) 45.5
India received a score of 45.5 out of 100 on the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index, indicating areas for improvement in environmental conservation.
12. Which of the following is recommended by the NCI to improve India’s conservation efforts?
(A) Increased dependency on fossil fuels
(B) Reduction of tiger reserves
(C) Expansion of carbon sinks, such as forests and wetlands
(D) Exempting more projects from environmental assessments
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (C) Expansion of carbon sinks, such as forests and wetlands
The NCI recommends expanding carbon sinks, including forests and wetlands, to improve conservation and reduce the impact of climate change in India.
13. India’s declining Environmental Performance Index (EPI) score over the last decade suggests a need for improvements in which area?
(A) Healthcare management and Financial regulations
(B) Environmental policies and conservation practices
(C) Military and administrative expenditure
(D) Financial regulations
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (B) Environmental policies and conservation practices
India’s deteriorating Environmental Performance Index (EPI) score indicates an urgent need to strengthen its environmental policies and conservation efforts.
14. UN-Habitat was formally established as a program by the UN General Assembly in which year?
(A) 1976
(B) 1982
(C) 1996
(D) 2005
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (A) 1976
UN-Habitat was established in 1976 following the first UN Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat I) held in Vancouver, Canada, in response to global concerns about urbanization challenges.
15. Which organization collaborates with UN-Habitat to work on urban resilience and climate adaptation in cities?
(A) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
(B) World Bank
(C) World Economic Forum
(D) UNESCO
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (B) World Bank
UN-Habitat often collaborates with the World Bank and other international organizations on urban resilience projects, particularly those focused on climate adaptation and infrastructure improvements.
16. Where is the headquarters of UN-Habitat located?
(A) Geneva, Switzerland
(B) New York, USA
(C) Nairobi, Kenya
(D) Paris, France
Correct Answer!
Incorrect Answer!
The correct answer is (C) Nairobi, Kenya
UN-Habitat is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, where it coordinates global efforts to improve urban sustainability and address urban challenges.