GK Quiz | 03 March 2020

1. Which of the following are winter migratory species in India?

1. Amur Falcons
2. Bar Headed Geese
3. Black-necked cranes
4. Humpbacked Whales

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

1. All of the above
2. 1,2 and 3
3. 2,3 and 4
4. 1,3 and 4

Ans. A

Explanation

Amur Falcons, Bar Headed Geese, Black-necked cranes, and Humpbacked Whales all these come to India during winters.

Amur Falcon is a bird that breeds in the Siberian region and migrates to India and other countries of South Asia in winters. Its IUCN status is Least Concern. Earlier, it was being killed in Nagaland for its meat, but because of the awareness campaign, its protection was possible.

Bar Headed Geese: It is a goose that breeds in Central Asia and migrates to South Asia during winters, mainly in peninsular India. Its IUCN status is Least Concerned.

Black Necked Crane: It is an Asian crane that breeds on Tibetan Plateau, parts of India (Sikkim) and Bhutan. It migrates during winters in India in the valley of Arunachal Pradesh. Its IUCN status is Vulnerable. It is facing threats like habitat modification, drying lakes, increasing agriculture, etc.

Humpbacked Whales: These whales are found in almost all the oceans. The polar whales migrate to tropical waters in winters to breed. The whale was being killed and was on the verge of extinction before the International Whaling Commission placed a moratorium on the killing of these whales in 1966. The current IUCN status is Least Concerned.

Hence, A is the correct answer.

 

2. Which of the following regions are included in Central Asian Flyway?

1. Trans- Caucasus
2. Part of West Asia
3. Central and South Asia
4. All of the above

Ans. D

Explanation

The Central Asian Flyway consists of regions like Trans- Caucasus, West, south and central Asia. So it covers a large part between the Arctic and the Indian Ocean. The flyway consists of 30 range countries, which include Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, China, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, India, etc. The Central Asian Flyway is one of the 9 flyways in the world declared under the Convention on Migratory Species for the protection of migratory species. Apart from this, India is a part of the East Asian- Australian flyway. It extends from Arctic Russia and North America to the southern limits of Australia and New Zealand. The region includes parts of India like the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Hence, D is the correct answer.

 

3. Which of the following is true about Sukhna Lake?

1. It is an artificial lake located in Chandigarh.
2. It is located at the foothills of Shivalik.
3. The lake was created by Le Corbusier.
4. It is a protected national wetland declared by the government.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

1. 1,2,3 and 4
2. 1,3 and 4
3. 1,2 and 3
4. 1 only

Ans. A

Explanation

Sukhna Lake is an artificial lake in Chandigarh and is located at the foothills of Shivalik. The lake was created by Le Corbusier and the Chief Engineer P L Verma. It has been declared as a protected national wetland by the government. The lake is surrounded by Nek Chand's famous Rock Garden of Chandigarh to its west. High Court has declared it as a living entity and has fined Punjab and Haryana government for damaging its catchment area.

Hence, A is the correct answer.

 

4. Which of the following statements is true?

1. The Tulip festival is organized in Kashmir annually.
2. Tulip has antiseptic properties, provides a remedy for cough and cold, and also reduces the risk of cancer.
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above

Ans. C

Explanation

The Tulip festival is organized in Kashmir annually. Its scientific name is Tulipa gesneriana. Tulip flower is important as it is used for decoration purposes, in festive seasons, has antiseptic properties, provides a remedy for cough and cold, and reduces the risk of cancer.

Hence, C is the correct answer.

 

5. Which of the following is incorrect about the Minamata Convention?

1. It is a legally binding convention.
2. The convention is related to mercury pollution phase-off and came into force in 2017.
3. India has signed and ratified the convention and is supposed to phase-off the use of mercury by 2025.
4. The convention is under the United Nations Environment Program.

Ans. C

Explanation

The Minamata Convention is a legally binding convention that aims to control the use of mercury and protect it from the harmful effects of mercury. The decision to phrase and adopt it was taken at the conference of UNEP. The convention was adopted and opened for signature at a Diplomatic Conference (Conference of Plenipotentiaries), held in Kumamoto, Japan, in 2013 and ratified in 2017. The Secretary-General of the United Nations is the Depositary of the agreement. India has signed but not ratified the convention. The cabinet has decided to ratify it according to which India will phase-off its use by 2025.