Multiple-Choice Questions

abatement of pollution in river Ganga, its conservation and rejuvenation

Reason — The purpose of the Namami Gange Yojna is to conserve, rejuvenate and reduce pollution of river Ganga , which is one of the most important and sacred rivers in India.

jute

Reason — Jute is a 100% biodegradable fibre known for its low environmental impact due to requiring minimal pesticides and fertilizers, and is commonly used for packaging agricultural commodities, particularly in the delta regions of West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Public Sector Industry

Reason — Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant [VISL] is under the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), which is a government-owned enterprise. Industries owned and operated by the government fall under the Public Sector.

S2 is a contributing factor to S1.

Reason — Maharashtra is indeed emerging as one of the largest sugar-producing states in India. One of the key reasons for this is the fertile and well-drained black soil found in the region, which is ideal for sugarcane cultivation.

fertile soil for subsistence farming.

Reason — Chars region is suitable for subsistence farming. This is due to the fact that Chars is formed by deposition of alluvial soil by the rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra, and is extremely rich in minerals and fertile.

Ganga in Rishikesh

Reason — Rishikesh is located in the foothills of the Himalayas where the Ganga River flows with a strong, torrential current, making it ideal for river rafting.

Ladakh region

Reason — Ladakh has high altitude and cold climate with limited rainfall, and glaciers are the primary source of water for irrigation and drinking. The technique of diverting glacier meltwater into small tanks is commonly used there.

Soil erosion through landslides.

Reason — Landslides involve the sudden downward movement of large masses of soil, rock, and debris from a mountain or hill slope. When this happens, the top fertile layer of soil is rapidly removed, resulting in severe soil erosion. This not only depletes the soil cover but also damages vegetation and makes the land unfit for agriculture.

Reason — The Deccan Plateau is a broad, flat-topped elevated region with steep sides, especially where it meets the Eastern and Western Ghats.

Bamboo and cane craft

Reason — Arunachal Pradesh receives heavy rainfall throughout the year and has humid and temperate climate, which supports the dense growth of bamboo and cane vegetation. Also, the hilly terrain and forest cover provide ideal conditions for bamboo-based industries that require little land and minimal infrastructure.

Firewood

Reason — According to the data given in the report, 89% of rural Assam population used firewood/crop residue, cow dung cake, or coal as their source of energy for cooking in 2011.

Bicycles

Reason — According to the data given in the report, 55% of overall Assam population (both Rural and Urban) have bicycles.

Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Explanation — Mini-steel plants are dependent on electric power, so they do not cause much pollution. Also, they operate on scrap iron which is easily available and do not require heavy investments. That's why the government of India is promoting and planning to set up more mini-steel plants in India.

Expressway

Reason — The newly constructed Bangalore–Mysore road is a 10-lane, access-controlled, elevated road, designed for high-speed, fast-moving traffic, which are key characteristics of an expressway.

Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Explanation — Helicopters are extensively used for rescue operations during natural calamities as they can hover, land in tight spaces, and conduct vertical take-offs and landings.