Question : Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is:

the sale of credits set out in Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol that permit a certain level of carbon dioxide emission with the goal of reducing overall emissions
a carbon-pricing system proposed for imports into the European Union (EU)
an initiative of UNFCCC that works within the existent system to alter the carbon footprint of the world’s highest emitting companies
an international agreement set up by UNDP which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of items containing more than 50% carbon

• With carbon neutrality being the byword to a sustainable world, a host of countries — Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Japan, Germany, Canada, Costa Rica, the United States, Brazil, India, and China among others — have set for themselves net-zero targets for the middle and later part of the century.
• At the forefront of the commitment to net-zero is the European Union, which wants to be the first carbon-neutral region in the world by 2050. It brought out the ‘European Union Green Deal’ in July last year to focus on a new growth strategy that aims to transform the EU society into a fair and wealthy one with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy.
• To attain carbon neutrality, the EU has set forth immediate targets and has brought out the ‘Fit-for-55’ package, a communication of its 2030 climate targets. A provision in the policy plan is the introduction of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a carbon-pricing system proposed for imports into the EU. The CBAM suggests taxing the imported goods-based difference between carbon used in the production of domestic and imported goods.
• Proposed to be complementary to the EU Emission Trading Scheme (EUETS), during the transition phase of CBAM — beginning January 1, 2023 — importers will only have to report emissions embedded in the production of goods and are not obliged to pay a financial penalty. The CBAM, however, will come completely into force from January 1, 2026 and the measure will see a gradual reduction of free EUETS allowance coverage of 10 percentage points per year and a complete phase-out by 2035. In the initial phase, five CITE (Carbon Intensive and Trade Exposed) sectors such as iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilizers and electricity will be taxed under CBAM.
• The EU claims that CBAM is intended to reduce carbon leakage, create a level playfield for EU producers and encourage producers in other countries to adopt cleaner technologies. But several discussions have cropped up around CBAM. Developing countries have raised their concern on the legality of CBAM pointing out its conflict with World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) norms, and are afraid that it encourages protectionism.

Source: India-EU: Global dynamics - The Hindu

Question : Which of the following is home to the only white grayheaded swamphen in the world?
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
Chilika Lagoon
Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary

• The only white grayheaded swamphen in the world has been found in the Mangalajodi wetland, on the northern edge of the Chilika lagoon.

Question : Which of the two State/UT have designated Snow Leopard as their State Animal?

Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh
Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh
Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh

• In September 2021, Union Territory (UT) government of Ladakh has declared snow Leopard as the state animal and black-necked crane as state bird.
• The Snow leopard is the State animal of Himachal Pradesh also.

About the Snow Leopards

• Snow leopards live in the mountainous regions of central and southern Asia. The snow leopard inhabits the higher Himalayan and trans-Himalayan landscape in the five states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• In total, there are about 7,500 snow leopards left in the world, out of which 500 are in India. 
• Among the many places and forests, the high-altitude cold desert of Ladakh is home to about half of them. Meanwhile, in the Ladakh region, snow leopards prey on marmots, bharal (blue sheep), and ibex.
• Also, sighting them is very rare.

Question : Consider the following statements:

1. River Umngot, also known as the Dawki River is one of the cleanest rivers in the world.
2. It is the natural boundary between Ri Pnar (of Jaintia Hills) with Hima Khyrim (of Khasi Hills)
3. It is known for a fascinating natural wonder of the state, living root bridges.

Which of the following North-Indian States we are referring to?

Tripura
Nagaland
Meghalaya
Arunachal Pradesh

• "One of the cleanest rivers in the world is in India. River Umngot, 100 Kms from Shillong, in Meghalaya state.
• Umngot, considered India’s clearest river, flows through Dawki, a town in West Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya. 
• It is the natural boundary between Ri Pnar (of Jaintia Hills) with Hima Khyrim (of Khasi Hills).
• A boat in the river looks unimaginably beautiful, crystal clear, as if the boat is gliding in air 
• Water is so clean and transparent that the river seems like a mirror, reflecting a river bed that is hanging in the sky. 
• Meghalaya is also known for living root bridges, which is yet another fascinating natural wonder of the state. 

Question :
1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
2 only
3, 4 and 5 only
2 and 5 only

Question : Consider the following statements about the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park :

1. Dibru-Saikhowa is a National Park as well as a Biosphere Reserve
2. It is the largest swamp forest in north-eastern India.
3. White-winged wood ducks are endemic to this national park.
4. It is also known for its huge population of feral horses.
5. The park is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and Dibru River in the south. 

Which of the following statements are correct?

Only 1, 2, and 4
Only 1, 3, 4 and 5
Only 2, 3, 4 and 5
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

• Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is a national park located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, Assam, India. It was designated a Biosphere Reserve in July 1997 with an area of 765 km2 (295 sq mi).
• It is located at about 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Tinsukia town at an average elevation of 118 m (387 ft), ranging from 110 to 126 m (361 to 413 ft). 
• The park is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and Dibru River in the south. 
• It mainly consists of moist mixed semi-evergreen forests, moist mixed deciduous forests, canebrakes and grasslands. It is the largest salix swamp forest in north-eastern India, with a tropical monsoon climate with a hot and wet summer and cool and usually dry winter. 
• Annual rainfall ranges from 2,300 to 3,800 mm (91 to 150 in). 
• It is a haven for many endangered species and rich in fish diversity.
•  It is also known for its huge population of feral horses.
• It is an identified Important Bird Area (IBA), notified by the Birdlife International. It is most famous for the rare white-winged wood ducks as well as feral horses.
• Mammals found in the Park include Tiger, Elephant, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Bears, Small Indian Civet, Squirrels, Gangetic Dolphin, Hoolock Gibbon, etc. Maguri Motapung wetland is a part of the Reserve.

Question : Consider the following statements regarding the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) in India:

1. Every new government constitutes a new board, based on the provisions of the WLPA, with the new PM as the chair.
2. The NBWL, on the other hand, has the power to deal with policy-level decisions on wildlife.
3. Under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA), the board has to meet at least twice a year

Which among the statement/s given above is/are correct?

1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

National Board for Wildlife  

• Every new government constitutes a new board, based on the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA), with the new PM as the chair. Its vice chairman is Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 
• The National Board for Wildlife is a mammoth body with 47-members including Parliament Members, NGOs, eminent conservationists, ecologists and environmentalists, Government secretaries of various departments.
• Under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA), National Board for Wild Life is a ‘Statutory Organization’.
• The NBWL can constitute a Standing Committee, but the board has to meet at least twice a year. 
• The Standing Committee’s function is to regulate land diversion within Protected Areas and Eco Sensitive Zones, making it a purely project clearance body.
• The NBWL, on the other hand, has the power to deal with policy-level decisions on wildlife.
• Theoretically, the board is “advisory” in nature and advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country. 
• However, it is a very important body because it serves as apex body to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.

Question : consider the following statements:

1. The site of Mes Aynak possesses a vast complex of Buddhist monasteries, homes, and market areas
2. Mes Aynak means ‘embrace the concepts of karma’
3. Mes Aynak contains Afghanistan's largest copper deposit for which the Taliban are hoping for Chinese investment
4. The site's archaeological wealth had been discovered by Russian and Afghan geologists

Which of the statement/s given above is/are NOT correct?
1, 2 and 4 only
2 only
2 and 3 only
2 and 4 only

• Mes Aynak means ‘Little source of copper’
• Hence, 2nd statement is incorrect
• Mes Aynak contains Afghanistan's largest copper deposit for which the Taliban are hoping for Chinese investment.
• The site of Mes Aynak possesses a vast complex of Buddhist monasteries, homes, and market areas.
• The site's archaeological wealth had been discovered by Russian and Afghan geologists
• Hence, 1st, 3rd and 4th statements are correct

Question :
1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c
1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d
1-d, 2-a, 3-b, 4-c
1-a, 2-c, 3-d, 4-b

Correct Match:

Question :

1. October 5th has been designated as National Dolphin Day to be celebrated every year to create awareness for conservation of Dolphins
2. The Gangetic dolphin is categorised as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List.
3. A WWF-India and the Uttar Pradesh forest department assessment in 2012 and 2015 recorded 1,272 dolphins in the Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Ken, Betwa, Son, Sharda, Geruwa, Gahagra, Gandak and Rapti

1 only
1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

• Recently, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav announced that October 5th has been designated as National Dolphin Day to be celebrated every year to create awareness for conservation of Dolphins. 
• He chaired the 67th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life in New Delhi. 
• The Gangetic dolphin is categorised as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List.
• A WWF-India and the Uttar Pradesh forest department assessment in 2012 and 2015 recorded 1,272 dolphins in the Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Ken, Betwa, Son, Sharda, Geruwa, Gahagra, Gandak and Rapti