DART 05-08-26 - Questlink IAS

Environment

Q1. With reference to wetlands in India, consider the following statements:

Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, and India is a Contracting Party to the Convention.
Recently, it has been directed that mining activities within a 10 km radius of Wetland Conservation Reserves require prior approval from the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) and/or the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (d)

Explanation

Wetlands are ecologically sensitive ecosystems protected through international commitments and domestic conservation measures. They play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, flood moderation and groundwater recharge.
Ramsar Sites are wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention, 1971 for their international ecological importance. India is a Contracting Party to the Convention and has designated numerous wetlands as Ramsar Sites. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Recently, it was directed that mining within a 10 km radius of Wetland Conservation Reserves requires prior approval from the Standing Committee of the NBWL and/or the MoEFCC, recognising the ecological sensitivity of these wetlands. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Environment

Q2. With reference to the Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), consider the following statements:

It is found in the Himalayan foothills and the forested landscapes of Northeast India.
It is an arboreal wild cat with exceptionally long canine teeth relative to its body size.
It is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List and is included in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Explanation

India recently launched the Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP) to strengthen the conservation of one of Asia's most elusive wild cats.
In India, the Clouded Leopard is primarily distributed in the forested landscapes of Northeast India, with its range extending into the Eastern Himalayas and Himalayan foothills. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The Clouded Leopard is a highly arboreal species, adapted for climbing trees. It possesses proportionately the longest canine teeth among living wild cats, earning it the nickname "modern-day saber-toothed cat." Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The species is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and receives the highest level of legal protection in India under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Polity

Q3. Consider the following statements:

Statement I:

Article 370 conferred a special constitutional status on the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Statement II:

It enabled the President to extend provisions of the Constitution of India to Jammu and Kashmir through Presidential Orders.

Statement III:

It originally formed part of the chapter on Fundamental Rights in the Constitution.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I.

(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I.

(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct.

Ans: (c)

Explanation

Marking seven years since the abrogation of Article 370, demonstrations were held in Srinagar amid continuing political debate over Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional status.
Article 370 was abrogated by the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019 and the subsequent Presidential declaration.
Article 370 empowered the President to apply provisions of the Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir through Presidential Orders, which formed the basis of its special constitutional arrangement. Hence, Statement II is correct.
Article 370 was placed under Part XXI (Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions), and not under Fundamental Rights. Hence, Statement III is not correct.

Only Statement II is correct and it explains Statement I.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q4. The medicines Hydrochlorothiazide, Voriconazole and Tacrolimus were recently in the news after being classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under Group 1 (Carcinogenic to Humans). Which of the following correctly describes these medicines?

(a) They are widely used therapeutic drugs for the treatment of hypertension, serious fungal infections and prevention of organ transplant rejection, respectively.

(b) They are live attenuated vaccines used under the Universal Immunisation Programme to prevent viral infections.

(c) They are broad-spectrum antibiotics recommended by the WHO for the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.

(d) They are monoclonal antibody-based biologics primarily used for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Ans: (a)

Explanation

The WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified Hydrochlorothiazide, Voriconazole and Tacrolimus as Group 1 carcinogens, indicating sufficient evidence that they can cause cancer under certain circumstances.
The classification is based on hazard identification and does not mean patients should discontinue these medicines without medical advice.
Hydrochlorothiazide is an antihypertensive (thiazide diuretic), Voriconazole is an antifungal medicine, and Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant used to prevent organ transplant rejection.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Science & Tech

Q5. With reference to African Swine Fever (ASF), consider the following statements:

African Swine Fever is caused by a virus that affects both domestic and wild pigs.
The disease is zoonotic and can be transmitted from pigs to humans through infected pork.
In the absence of effective treatment, disease control primarily relies on culling, rapid diagnosis and biosecurity measures.
Mortality due to African Swine Fever may approach 100% in infected pigs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

Explanation

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious trans-boundary viral disease of pigs that has caused severe economic losses worldwide. To strengthen India's livestock biosecurity, ICAR has developed the country's first indigenous live attenuated ASF vaccine.
African Swine Fever is caused by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) and affects both domestic and wild pigs. It is one of the most devastating diseases of swine because of its rapid spread and very high mortality. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
ASF is not a zoonotic disease. The virus does not infect humans, and consumption of properly handled pork from infected animals does not transmit the disease to humans. The disease is confined to members of the pig family. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
There is no specific treatment for ASF. Traditionally, disease control has relied on early detection, rapid diagnosis, culling of infected and exposed pigs, movement restrictions, quarantine and strict farm biosecurity measures to prevent further spread. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
ASF is characterized by high fever, haemorrhages and extremely high mortality, with death rates that can approach 100%, making it one of the deadliest livestock diseases. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.