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Practice conventions-and-laws with 20 free MCQ questions covering environment-and-ecology. Detailed explanations in English and Hindi, perfect for UPSC, SSC, and competitive exam preparation.
Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.
Q1.The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and established June 5 as World Environment Day, was held in 1972 in which city?
Explanation: The UN Conference on the Human Environment was held in Stockholm, Sweden, from June 5 to 16, 1972. It was the UN's first major conference on international environmental issues, leading to the establishment of UNEP and designating June 5 as World Environment Day.
Q2.The historic United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also popularly known as the 'Earth Summit', was held in June 1992 in which city?
Explanation: NCERT Class 12 Biology Chapter 15 states: 'The historic Convention on Biological Diversity ("The Earth Summit") held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, called upon all nations to take appropriate measures for conservation of biodiversity...'
Q3.The World Summit on Sustainable Development, where 190 countries pledged to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010, was held in 2002 in which city?
Explanation: NCERT Class 12 Biology Chapter 15 explicitly notes: 'In a follow-up, the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa, 190 countries pledged their commitment to achieve by 2010, a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss...'
Q4.Which of the following is NOT one of the three primary objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit?
Explanation: The three main goals of the CBD are: (1) conservation of biodiversity, (2) sustainable use of its components, and (3) fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. It does not prohibit biotechnology research; rather, it regulates its biosafety (e.g. through the Cartagena Protocol).
Q5.The international treaty signed in 1971 in an Iranian city to provide a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation of wetlands is the:
Explanation: The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It was signed on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the Caspian Sea.
Q6.Under the Ramsar Convention, what is the 'Montreux Record'?
Explanation: The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
Q7.Which of the following Indian wetland sites is currently listed on the Ramsar Montreux Record?
Explanation: Currently, Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are the two Indian wetlands listed on the Montreux Record. Chilika Lake (Odisha) was placed on the record in 1993 but removed in 2002 due to successful ecological restoration efforts.
Q8.World Wetlands Day is celebrated globally every year on which date to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention?
Explanation: World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2 because the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was adopted on February 2, 1971. It aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet.
Q9.The primary objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit, is to:
Explanation: The ultimate objective of the UNFCCC (Article 2) is to achieve the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human-induced) interference with the climate system, giving ecosystems time to adapt naturally.
Q10.Which legally binding international convention, adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit, specifically addresses land degradation and drought in drylands (arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas)?
Explanation: The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was established in 1994 and is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management, focusing specifically on drylands.
Q11.The international treaty signed in Washington D.C. in 1973 to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival is called:
Explanation: CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), also known as the Washington Convention, is a multilateral treaty drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of IUCN, protecting thousands of animal and plant species.
Q12.The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, signed in 1979 to conserve terrestrial, marine, and avian migratory species throughout their range, is commonly known as the:
Explanation: The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is commonly known as the Bonn Convention (signed in Bonn, Germany, in 1979). It provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats.
Q13.Which of the following international conventions, adopted in 1989, regulates the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal to protect human health and the environment?
Explanation: The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was adopted in 1989 in response to a public outcry against the dumping of toxic wastes from developed countries into developing nations.
Q14.The non-binding action plan for sustainable development in the 21st century, which was a key outcome of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, is called:
Explanation: Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which humans impact the environment. It was adopted at the Earth Summit in 1992.
Q15.The Rotterdam Convention, adopted in 1998, is an international treaty designed to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts in the international trade of which products?
Explanation: The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade entered into force in 2004. It facilitates information exchange about chemical characteristics and mandates PIC for importing countries.
Q16.Which of the following international conventions is a global treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) like DDT and Dioxins?
Explanation: The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is a global treaty adopted in 2001 (effective in 2004) to restrict and eliminate the production and use of POPs, which are organic compounds resistant to environmental degradation and bioaccumulate in food chains.
Q17.The Minamata Convention on Mercury, adopted in 2013, is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of:
Explanation: The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty named after the Japanese city that suffered a devastating methylmercury poisoning disaster. It regulates mercury mining, use in products (like thermometers), and emissions from coal burning.
Q18.The supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which meets annually to negotiate climate action, is called the:
Explanation: The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC. All States that are Parties to the Convention are represented at the COP, at which they review the implementation of the Convention and negotiate subsequent protocols (like Kyoto and Paris).
Q19.Which of the following bodies was established as a result of the 1972 Stockholm Conference to serve as the leading global environmental authority?
Explanation: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was founded by Maurice Strong, its first director, in June 1972 following the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm. Its headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya.
Q20.Under the Ramsar Convention, wetlands are defined broadly to include which of the following areas?
Explanation: The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as: 'areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.'
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