Environmental Science and Conservation

Modern biodiversity conservation recognizes diversity at all levels: genetic (within species), species (between species), and ecosystem (across habitats). All three levels are interconnected and essential for comprehensive conservation efforts.

Overusing fertilizers and chemical pesticides degrades soil quality, reduces fertility, and harms beneficial organisms in the ecosystem. True land conservation methods include afforestation, controlled grazing, and regulated chemical use to maintain long-term land productivity.

Ecosystem means interdependence of living beings for survival.

Mulching involves covering soil with organic material or plastic to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and protect soil structure - it actually PREVENTS soil erosion rather than causing it. Excessive ploughing loosens topsoil making it vulnerable, overgrazing removes vegetation cover, and contour ploughing is a protective measure. Therefore, mulching is the action that does not cause soil erosion.

Heavy grazing affects soil at multiple levels: it loosens and exposes upper soil layers to erosion (option A), compacts lower layers making them impermeable and hard for roots (option B), and these compacted layers prevent proper root penetration (option C). Since all three effects occur simultaneously due to heavy grazing, option D 'All of the above' is the correct answer.

 Chipko Movement started in the early 1970s in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand.

In India, the percentage of land under forest cover is approximately 20%.

The Social Forestry Programme was launched in 1976 in India during the Fifth Five Year Plan. It aimed to involve local communities in tree planting and forest management to meet the growing demand for fuelwood, fodder, and small timber.

Sunder Lal Bahuguna was the prominent leader of the Chipko movement, a forest conservation movement where people hugged trees to prevent them from being cut. The movement started in the 1970s in Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh).

A shelter belt is a plantation of trees and shrubs designed to protect soil from wind erosion and prevent desert expansion. The strategic arrangement with shorter trees on the desert side creates a gradual windbreak effect.

Correct Answer: Increase in the amount of carbon dioxide

Forest Research Institute is located in Dehradun.

The Gulf of Khambhat is an inlet of the Arabian Sea along the west coast of India, in the state of Gujarat. It has the potentiality of harnessing tidal power. The difference in water height from low tide and high tide is potential energy. To capture sufficient power from the tidal energy potential, the height of high tide must be at least five meters (16 feet) greater than low tide.

Correct Answer: Tamil Nadu

The Blue Revolution refers to the rapid growth of fisheries and aquaculture in India, initiated in the 1980s. It aimed to increase fish production and improve the livelihoods of fishing communities through modern techniques.