Q1:
With reference to Papum Reserve Forest, consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
- Papum Reserve Forest is geographically located in Meghalaya.
- It is a part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity hotspot in India.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : b
Explanation
Papum Reserve Forest is geographically situated in the south west of East Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh.
It is surrounded by Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary to the east and Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary to the west.
It is covered by Subtropical Dry Evergreen and Semi-evergreen Forests, while the higher areas are under Subtropical Broadleaf Hill Forest cover. It is a part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity hotspot in India.
Q2:
With reference to ‘Transparent Taxation – Honoring The Honest’ platform, consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
- It aims to eliminate the interface between the taxpayer and the income tax department.
- It involves application of analytics and Artificial Intelligence.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : c
Explanation
Recently, the Prime Minister of India launched the ‘Transparent Taxation – Honoring The Honest’ platform to honour the honest taxpayers of the country.
The Transparent Taxation Platform aimed at bringing transparency in income tax systems and empowering taxpayers.
It aims to eliminate the interface between the taxpayer and the income tax department.
There will be no need for the taxpayer to visit the income tax office or the officer.
The selection of a taxpayer is possible through systems using analytics and Artificial Intelligence.
Q3:
With reference to hornbills, consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
- It plays a key role in dispersing seeds of tropical trees.
- It is listed as endangered in the IUCN Red list.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : a
Explanation
The hornbills (Bucerotidae) are a family of birds found in tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia.
They are the cultural symbols of some ethnic communities in the northeast, specifically the Nyishi of Arunachal Pradesh.
They are referred to as ‘forest engineers’ or ‘farmers of forest’ for playing a key role in dispersing seeds of tropical trees and indicate the prosperity and balance of the forest they build nests in.
Currently, 26 out of the 62 species (40%) of hornbills are Globally Threatened or Near Threatened with extinction, with all other species listed as Least Concern, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
The great hornbill is evaluated as vulnerable. It is protected at the highest level under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Q4:
With reference to the ‘Ceres’, consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
- It is the only dwarf planet located in the inner solar system.
- The Dawn mission was launched to study the Ceres.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : c
Explanation
Ceres is the only dwarf planet located in the inner solar system (includes planets Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars). Scientists classified it as a dwarf planet in 2006.
It does not have any moon or rings.
Dawn (2007-18) was a mission to two of the most massive bodies in the main asteroid belt – Vesta and Ceres.
Q5:
With reference to Asian Elephants, consider the following statements , choose the correct option
- It is the Heritage Animal of India.
- Its IUCN status is vulnerable.
- MIKE programme aims to stop illegal killing of elephants
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- Neither 1 and 2
Answer : c
Explanation
As the elephants, in India, have played a significant role in manual labor, war, royal iconography, and the tourism industry. Also, due to their cultural linkages with some of the major religions in India. The elephant has been declared as a national heritage animal of India in 2010.
There are two main species of elephants i.e African Elephant (IUCN status: Vulnerable) and Asian Elephant (IUCN status: Endangered).
The Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) programme, launched in 2003, is an international collaboration that tracks trends in information related to the illegal killing of elephants from across Africa and Asia, to monitor effectiveness of field conservation efforts.
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