1.Who is the Head of Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] M M Kutty
[B] A K Sikri
[C] Ranjan Gogoi
[D] Karnan
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Explanation: The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas, headed by former chief secretary of Delhi M M Kutty, recently directed switching over of all industries in Delhi and NCR to Piped Natural Gas (PNG). As per the Commission, the industrial sector is one of the major contributors to air pollution in the region. The Commission issued directions to IndraPrastha Gas Ltd in this regard. ©navclasses
2.Tso Kar Wetland Complex, which was declared a Ramsar site, is located in which Indian state/UT?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Sikkim
[C] Ladakh
[D] Uttarakhand
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Explanation: Tso Kar Wetland Complex located in Ladakh has been declared as India’s 42nd Ramsar site i.e as wetland of international importance. This is the highest number of such sites in South Asia. The high-altitude wetland complex Changthang region is of two connected lakes, the freshwater Startsapuk Tso and the hypersaline Tso Kar, in Ladakh. ©navclasses
3.Asian Waterbird Census 2021, which was seen in the news recently, is to be conducted in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
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Explanation: The annual waterbird census is to be conducted in the state of Andhra Pradesh, by the state forest department. The regions included are the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, areas near Godavari estuary, Kolleru Lake, Atapaka Bird Sanctuary and Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary in Krishna estuary. Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and Wetland International will provide technical support. ©navclasses
4.Pong Dam sanctuary, which was seen in the news recently, is located in which state?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Sikkim
[D] Gujarat
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Explanation: Over 1700 migratory birds were found dead in the Pong Dam sanctuary in the state of Himachal Pradesh, under mysterious circumstances. Recently, it was found that those birds have tested positive for bird flu. This makes Himachal Pradesh to join the list of states to report cases of the avian influenza after Rajasthan and Kerala. ©navclasses
5.Which species found predominantly in North America is recently found to be at the verge of extinction?
[A] Bald Eagle
[B] Polar Bear
[C] Western monarch butterfly
[D] American Alligator
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Explanation: In a recent annual study and winter count by Xerces Society, it is found that number of western monarch butterflies has been falling down rapidly. The count is found to be less than 2000 and the insect is said to be in the verge of extinction. This butterfly is most familiar in North America and is a well-known pollinator species. ©navclasses
6.As per a recent research, by what percentage the number of oceanic sharks and rays have declined in Indian Ocean?
[A] 15.3%
[B] 26.4%
[C] 39.7%
[D] 84.7%
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Explanation: As per a recent research published in the journal “Nature”, the number of shark and ray in Indian ocean have declined by 84.7% and has been falling continuously since 1970. The research noted that oceanic sharks and rays worldwide has fallen by 71% since the last 50 years. Also, 24 out of 31 oceanic shark and ray species are presently classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. ©navclasses
7.What is the classification of Fishing Cat, as per IUCN Red list?
[A] Least Concern
[B] Critically Endangered
[C] Vulnerable
[D] Extinct
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Explanation: Fishing Cat is a special cat species that is found in wetland and mangrove ecosystems. The cat species is classified as Vulnerable as per IUCN Red list. A team named Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance has been formed that comprise of conservationists, researchers and enthusiasts across the world working to conserve and protect Fishing Cat species. ©navclasses
8.Maguri-Motapung Beel, which was making news recently, is a wetland located in which state/UT?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Assam
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Bihar
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Explanation: Maguri-Motapung Beel is a wetland and lake located near the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Assam. Recently, it was making news because, Maguri-Motapung Beel, a rare duck species was spotted in the lake along with a flock of Indian spotbill duck. The duck, whose primary habitat is in eastern China and southern Japan, was spotted after 118 years in the state. ©navclasses
9.Giant Leatherback turtle nests in which location in India?
[A] Goa
[B] Odisha
[C] Andaman & Nicobar
[D] West Bengal
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Explanation: Giant Leatherback turtle are the largest of the seven species of sea turtles. They are found in all oceans except the Arctic and the Antarctic. In the Indian ocean, they nest at Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Government’s proposal for tourism promotion and port development will threaten this species, which is accorded legal protection by listing in Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. ©navclasses
10.In which state does the river Alaknanda flow?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Punjab
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Explanation: The Alaknanda is a Himalayan river flowing in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is one of the two head streams of river Ganga. The recent landslide and glacial lake outburst in Uttarakhand caused flooding in the Alaknanda river. This led to huge volume of debris in the river that is being carried downstream. The presence of huge debris volume has changed the colour of the river. ©navclasses
