[current]may w2_p1_ environment _ biodiversity_ polavaram project, kudankulam milestone - mrunal
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7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
http://mrunal.org/2014/06/currentmay-w2p1-environment-biodiversity-polavaram-project-kudankulam-milestone-dancing-frog-elephant-shrew-dwarf-gecko-star-t… 1/30
Mrunal
Current Affairs Weekly | 89 2 weeks ago
[Current]May W2/P1: Environment &
Biodiversity: Polavaram Project,
Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise,
Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gecko
CSAT क�ल क� सबुह
1. Prologue
2. E1: Polavaram Project
1. Polavaram Project Authority (PPA)
2. Polavaram Ordinance
3. Anti-ordinance arguments
3. E2: Kudankulam: 1000 MW mark
1. Kudankulam nuke plant: SC rejects
plea to appoint panel
4. E3: Star Tortoise vs Olive Ridley Turtle
5. E4: [Newfound] Dancing frogs in
days
42
hrs
17
mins
16
sec.
39
@SSC, CAPF players
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7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
http://mrunal.org/2014/06/currentmay-w2p1-environment-biodiversity-polavaram-project-kudankulam-milestone-dancing-frog-elephant-shrew-dwarf-gecko-star-t… 2/30
Western Ghats
1. Dwarf Gecko, Maharashtra
2. Sengi Elephant Shrew, Africa
6. E5: Lake Kolleru & its bird sanctuary
7. E6: Hyacinth: hazard to fishes
8. E7: Jhum cultivation: pros and cons
1. Favor of Jhum cultivation
2. Against Jhum cultivation
9. Mock Questions
10. Answers
Prologue
Current Affairs May 2014, Week2 (8 to 14th)
1. Environment Biodiversity: you’re here
2. History Culture: coming soon
3. Polity: coming soon
4. Economy: coming soon
5. IR/diplomacy: after prelims. Reason: hardly
anything asked from it in prelims.
Questions to consider:
Mains General Studies
1. (GS1) “Jhum cultivation, though primitive in
methods, is an ancient way of keeping harmony
with nature.” Comment (200 words.)
2. (GS2) List the Constitutional provisions of
ordinance powers of the president. Narrate
recent cases where it has been used.
Interview
already known. Ppl will
stop wasting time in
reading faltu... } – 45 days
Before CSAT: a Few
words...
ANS { what is a reserve
list????? } – [CAPF] UPSC
declares Written Result
of Assistant...
ANITA { Answer 4
question 1 shud b B.n for
question 2 shud b d.... } –
45 days Before CSAT: a
Few words...
NAVDEEP SINGH
SUHAG { Hi Mr Avinash
there is no intimation from
UPSC as such, it will be
from the service that have
been allocated to you. A
service... } – [Topper's
Interview] CAPF-2012/
AIR-4: Navdeep Singh
Suhag,...
SATYESH PARMAR {
sir,please provide some
information on this
topics.this a topic of
gujarat psc in section of
environment some
information i gather from
your enb articles but... } –
[Pollution] Bharat
Emission Standards,
Saumitra Chaudhuri
Committee,...
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
http://mrunal.org/2014/06/currentmay-w2p1-environment-biodiversity-polavaram-project-kudankulam-milestone-dancing-frog-elephant-shrew-dwarf-gecko-star-t… 3/30
1. What is Polvaram project? Why is it in
controversy? should it be scrapped off?
2. What is Polavaram ordinance? Why are critiques
arguing that President’s ordinance power has
been misused in this case?
3. Why is Kudankulam nuclear plant unique than
other nuclear plants in India?
4. Do you know the difference between a tortoise
and a turtle?
5. Can you name any new species found in India
during year 2014?
E1: Polavaram Project
Official name: Indira Sagar Multipurpose project
Purpose:
1. To interlink Godavari (Polavaram) & Krishna
(Vijaywada) just before they merge into sea.
(observe map)
2. Store water @ Polavaram dam, West Godavari
district.
DORAIRAJ {
**Corresponding degree }
– [ACIO] Result for ACIO
2013 exam declared,...
DORAIRAJ { Dear F's
my verification started at 1
week of may and
completed on 26 Jun 14
with lot of my personal
efforts... yesterday evening
IB... } – [ACIO] Result for
ACIO 2013 exam
declared,...
DORAIRAJ { my
verification started at 1
week of may and
completed on 26 Jun 14
with lot of my personal
efforts... yesterday evening
IB people came... } –
[ACIO] Result for ACIO
2013 exam declared,...
NEHA { Q1. Which of the
following principles is/are
taken into consideration by
the Speaker while
recognizing a
parliamentary party or
group? An association of
members who... } –
[Answerkey] CDS-2014:
Polity, Constitution,
Parliament related
MCQs...
RAM CHOUDHARY {
It's bed news friends RAS
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
http://mrunal.org/2014/06/currentmay-w2p1-environment-biodiversity-polavaram-project-kudankulam-milestone-dancing-frog-elephant-shrew-dwarf-gecko-star-t… 4/30
3. Irrigate ~3 lakh ht.
4. general 950+ MW electricity
5. Supply Water to Visakhapatanam & Vizag steel
plant.
Polavaram Project t ime l ine
1941: idea came.
2004: Andhra CM YSR Reddy revives the demand
for Polavaram Project
2009: Andhra government requests the Union
government to start this project.
Union declares it a national project & puts it
under Ministry of Water resource.
Odisha & Chhatisgarh don’t like this. NOT ONE
BIT. They got Supreme Court.
Party Why objection to Polavaram
DAM?
ODISHA
Height of this dam should be low.
else, our Malkangiri forest area
will be submerged in water. (~650
ht.)
How? Because Godavari is fed
from Sabari and Sileru rivers in
Odisha.
CHHATTISGARHDam will submerge villages along
Sabari river. (~800 ht.)
TELANGANA
Dam will submerge villages of
Khammam district.Polvaram project
won’t give any water to us.
Pre 2013 cancelled But
don't worry. It's a challenge
for us. Exam will be after 2
months. We fight again.... }
– [Strategy] RAS 2013
Prelims: booklist, study
material, ...
GAURAV PURWAR {
Hello Mrunal , I am
working in 12 hour shift in
day for 5 days in a week, I
am aming for IAS 2015
but... } – 45 days Before
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Search it! } – 45 days
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Ruchi .... Make notes only
after you have revised any
book 2-3 times...that will
make your notes effective
and concise .. } –
[Topper's Interview]
Dr.Arpit Jain (UPSC-
2013/Rank-194):
Anthropology
Optional,...
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oh.... i found it in ur
previous articles...thanq } –
45 days Before CSAT: a
Few words...
RECRUITMENT
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
http://mrunal.org/2014/06/currentmay-w2p1-environment-biodiversity-polavaram-project-kudankulam-milestone-dancing-frog-elephant-shrew-dwarf-gecko-star-t… 5/30
EIA
Environmental impact assessment
(EIA) says >250 villages and >1.5 lakh
villagers will be affected.
Case pending in SC, Taarikh pe taarikh. ok then why
in news?
Polavaram Project Authority (PPA)
1. May 1, 2014, Cabinet cleared proposal to setup
Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) – for solving
objection by other states and arranging
investment for this project.
1. CEO (IAS), Government of India will appoint
2. Chief Secretary of Andhra & Telangana will be
nominated members. [Later Andhra CM
requested Modi to remove Telangana chief
Secretary from this body, because entire
project area now falls under Andhra only.]
3. +Chief engineers from water, power
Department
2. Union is empowered to create such bodies
under Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
But it is not a “Statutory body” until parliament
approves.
Polavaram Ordinance
May 29, 2014: President promulgated an
ordinance, to amend the Andhra Pradesh
reorganization act.
This alters boundaries between Andhra &
Telangana. thus transfers ~250 villages from
Khammam district of Telangana to Andhra
H a l l t i c k et s
U p l o a d ed ?
SSC 2013 Re-exam:Yes
CAPF-2014: Yes
CSAT-2014: Not Yet
B a n k i n g S ec t o r
20-Jul: SIDBI
asst .Manager(80)
21-Jul: RBI asst.(only SPORTS
quota)
09-Jul: IBPS RRB 2014
O n 2 0 1 3 R R B s c o r e
16-Jul: Haryana Gramin
11-Jul: Jharkhand Gramin
11-Jul: Puducherry Gramin
o n M a n i p a l Cer t i .
16-Jul: BoB PO
12-Jul: IDBI PO
I T / Co m p u t er
30-Aug: IITD Delhi system
admin(3)
25-Jul: programmer Lucknow
Med.Uni.
25-Jul: programmer Lucknow
Med.Uni.
17-Jul: IT jobs NIHFW
15-Jul: System Op.Raebareli
10-Jul: Karnataka PC
operators
08-Jul: Ludhiana PC operator
06-Jul: IT engg. in CRIS (need
GATE2014)
E n g i n eer s
01-Aug: MECL:
Asst .manager
23-Jul: MNIT Jaipur Tech.asst.
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http://mrunal.org/2014/06/currentmay-w2p1-environment-biodiversity-polavaram-project-kudankulam-milestone-dancing-frog-elephant-shrew-dwarf-gecko-star-t… 6/30
Pradesh
To help building Polavaram project. (these
villages will get submerged)
Telangana opposed.
Andhra state assembly passed a resolution,
asking Union to create a new law on Polavaram
project. (To replace that ordinance).
Ant i-ordinance arguments
1. As per Supreme Court’s interpretation of Art.123,
ordinance can be issued only in extraordinary
situation. Polavaram is not extraordinary,
government could put this matter in parliament
after a week. (When President was making joint
address to both houses).
2. President cannot promulgate ordinance to
amend Constitution. Only parliament can do so.
On the same logic, Article 3 says “parliament, by
law, can form a new state or alter boundries.”
Hence this matter was outside President’s
ordinance power.
3. Even for the sake of arguments, let’s believe
President has ordinance powers to change
boundary. But even then he did not obtain the
opinion of state legislative assemblies
before doing signing this ordinance.
4. This sets a wrong precedence, next time ruling
government may alter bounders in the states
were it sits in opposition, citing Polavaram case
study.
Pro-ordinance arguments
17-Jul: Lighthouse
15-Jul: ONGC Western
Tech.asst.
11-Jul: Freight Corridor
11-Jul: Powergrid Sr.Engg
11-Jul: NBBC Engineers
09-Jul: I IT-K
09-Jul: OIL Drilling Engg.12
07-Jul: VIZAG Jr.Trainee
P o l i c e/ D ef en c e/ I n t e l .
31-Aug: Army Dental
05-Aug: Navy UES
02-Aug: CISF
constables(1203)
21-Jul: NDS(II) 2014
14-Jul: BSF Para-
Medic,Pharma
14-Jul: BSF Motor transport
07-Jul: BSF ASI/H.Constables
06-Jul: Doctors in BSF
S p ec i a l i s t
B Co m / H R / M B A
30-Aug: Accountant NIFFT
Ranchi
15-Jul: ONGC accountants(2)
11-Jul: Freight Corridor(34)
11-Jul: HR officers,NBBC
09-Jul: I IT-K accounts
09-Jul: HR Officers BEL
M ed i c a l / A l l i ed
09-Aug: SAIL Doctors
09-Aug: SAIL Paramedics
28-Jul: Chandigarh
Paramedics
18-Jul: Doctors in HAL
14-Jul: BSF Para-
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1. This is not a Constitutional amendment.
2. Every-time fresh reference is not necessary to
seek opinion of the concerned state legislative
assemblies.
E2: Kudankulam: 1000 MW mark
Technology
Voda Voda Energo Reactor (VVER)=
water cooled, water moderated energy
reactor.
Supplier
Atomstroyexports, Russia supplied
both uranium and the the VVER
technology.
Atomstroyexport is a subsidiary of
Russian PSU Rosatom.
Type light water reactor
Sub-Type Pressurized water reactor
software VISWAM
Fuel Uranium
Beneficiaries
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Karnataka
3. Kerala
4. Puducherry
NPCIL will sell electricity to them at
Rs.3.50 per unit. All the unallocated
electricity belongs to Union government.
Timeline :Nuke reactors
Medic,Pharma
07-Jul: Haryana Doctors
06-Jul: Doctors in BSF
L eg a l
22-Jul: Attorney,
Kuru.Univ .
07-Jul: Haryana Attorney
S c i en c e/ Ag r i . G r a d s .
30-Aug: Lab Attendent NIFFT
Ranchi
25-Jul: Himachal
Tech.Assistants
18-Jul: Delhi Veterinary
14-Jul: IHBT Himachal
10-Jul: Karnataka lab
assistant
10-Jul: Karnataka Horti.Field
Asst.
10-Jul: Scientist MP
S p ec . O t h er s
17-Jul: Labor invest igator
17-Jul: Mineral Economist
07-Jul: Haryana Town planner
M i s c . D es k j o b s
30-Aug: clerks NIFFT Ranchi
01-Aug: MECL:
foremen,driver,mechanic(99
)
31-Jul: NGT
Secretary,Steno,Translators
21-Jul: NIT Warangal asst.
10-Jul: NIT Patna Asst.
15-Jul: NIFT,Gandhinagar
15-Jul: Raebareli Deskjobs
07-Jul: Drivers AMU
F a c u l t y J o b s
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1969 Tarapur, with US help.
2002 Kudankulam construction begins
2011
People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy
(PMANE) begins protests against Kudankulam
project.
2013Attained critical capacity. This is India’s 21st
reactor.
2014,
May
Protest completes 1000 days.
Supreme court rejects their plea to appoint
another safety Committee for Kudankulam
2014,
June
Tamilnadu becomes first state to have two
operational nuke plants viz. Kudankulam
and Kalpakkam.
Kudankulam becomes first nuclear plant to
attain 1000MW capacity
Other desi nuke reactors have capacity of
700MW only.
Tata Mundra Thermal plant 800MW
States with highest nuclear energy (October 2013
data)
State rank Nuke power
(MW)
1. Tamilnadu 1440
2. Maharashtra 1400
22-Jul: Maths Asst .Prof
22-Jul: Cuttak Univ .
18-Jul: Jammu Univ
18-Jul: Haryana Science
18-Jul: NIT Manglore
14-Jul: Gorakhpur
10-Jul: SIUPA Haryana
07-Jul: AMU
W a r n i n g
DONOT wait til l last
date. Online Form Part1
stops working few days
b4 deadline.
DONOT forget/misplace
reg.id, Roll number.
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
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3. Rajasthan 1180
4. Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar
Pradhesh each with 880
Reasons for delay in reaching 1000MW mark:
1. So far India used Pressurized Heavy Water
reactor technology. But Kudankulam uses Light
water reactor technology. So NPCIL engineers
had to buy coaching material to learn how to use
new technology.
2. After Fukushima incident, NPCIL had to build
additional safety measures.
3. Anti-Kudankulam protests, court cases.
Kudankulam nuke plant : SC rejects plea to
appoint panel
2013
Anti-nuclear activist G. Sundarrajan filed petition
in Supreme court, alleging that Atomic energy
regulatory board (AERB) made haste in clearing
the Kudankulam plant in Tamilnadu.
Supreme court permitted construction of
Kudankulam plant, but gave strict guidelines for
disaster management, environmental protection,
nuclear leakage, regular inspection @3 months
interval etc.
In May 2014
G. Sudar Rajan again went to SC, demanding a
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
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committee under Ex-AERB chief
A.Gopalakrishnan to supervise the plant.
But Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the
plea to appoint any expert team- AERB, NPCIL
sufficient. It is not necessary to appoint SITs and
Committees everywhere.
E3: Star Tortoise vs Olive Ridley Turtle
Why in news:
1. Olive ridley turtles: hatching Tamilnadu
2. Indian Star Tortoise: Kerala officials arresting
smugglers.
Indian Star
Tortoise
Olive Ridley Turtle
spends most
lifetime on land
Comes near water
for drinking &
cleaning.
in water
comes to land mainly for
mating and egg-laying
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
http://mrunal.org/2014/06/currentmay-w2p1-environment-biodiversity-polavaram-project-kudankulam-milestone-dancing-frog-elephant-shrew-dwarf-gecko-star… 11/30
Cannot swim in
deep water.
hence doesn’t
migrate over long
distance
Can
Shell (carapace) is
rounded dome, allows
them to hide for
protection.
cannot hide body inside shell
dome (observe photo)
Mostly herbivorous: eat
cactus, grass, weed for
moisture.
Omnivorous: eat both sea-
plants & fish
feet are short, bent,
have claw like structure
to climb rocky land.
Webbed feet. No nails. Evolved
for sailing long distance.
Natural habitat: Rain
shadow area of
Marayur forest,
Kerala
Prefer dry area,
shrubs-grassland
forest.
Atlantic, Pacific and Indian
Ocean.
Warm Ocean preferred.
Hence confined to 30
Degree north to 15
Degree South.
life span: beyond 80
years (in captivity)20-30-50 years
IUCN status: Least
concernIUCN status: Vulnerable
Threats :
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
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Threats:
1. Smuggled as “exotic
pet” due to small
size & distinct shell.
2. Habitat loss due to
bush fires, cattle
grazing, floods.
3. meat used in some
dishes
1. egg harvest by men
2. egg predation by dogs &
birds
3. Fishing trawls use fine
nets, accidently catch
babies.
4. habitat destruction,
climate change affecting
mating and migration
routes.
5. skin for belts and purses.
(Although reduced
because of CITES)
reptile of Chelonian
familysame
Related topic: what’s the difference between
Ghariyal and crocodile? Take that as home work!
E4: [Newfound] Dancing frogs in
Western Ghats
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
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Official name: Micrixalus kottigeharensis
Location: only in Western Ghats – MH, KN, TN
and Kerala. Western Ghats global amphibian
hot-spot. 180+ amphibian species endemic to
Western Ghats.
Who found them? Delhi University professor
Sathyabhama Biju (previously found purple
frogs)
Why called Dancing frogs?
Male frog dance to attract females. Technical
term: ”foot flagging”.
Usually male frogs use croaking sound to attract
females
But these dancing frogs’ Size too small:
almost like a bee. Hence their croaking is barely
hearable in the fast flowing streams of Western
Ghats. Hence dancing style as an adaptation.
These frogs evolved 85 million years ago, but
only 11 species from this family were discover
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till yet.
Threat: perennial streams are drying out.
Agriculture encroachment.
Following two species Gecko and shrew were found
in June, but I’ve have included them in May edition
for continuity in revision.
Dwarf Gecko,
Maharashtra
Sengi Elephant
Shrew, Africa
Special feature: rounded
pupil in their eyes. Other
geckos have cat like eyes.
Official name: Cnemaspis
Girii.
Discovered by disciples
of Dr. Varad Giri of
Bombay Natural History
Society (hence the name
Macroscelides micus:
new species of Sengi
/ elephant shrew
found in Namibian
desert
have monogamous
relationship
Unique feature:
round-ears that look
like miniature
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Girii)
Autotomy: when an
animal discards one of its
body organs to ward off
predators. Gecko
discards its tail, later
grows it back.
elephant.
Called “Afrotheria” i.e.
a diverse group of
animals that have
African origin e.g.
Elephant, Sengis, sea
cows etc.
E5: Lake Kolleru & its bird sanctuary
Why in news? Migratory Pelican birds arrived in
Kolleru bird sanctuary. [IUCN status: Least concern].
Location: Lake Kolleru in Andhra Pradesh.
it’s a fresh water lake
It’s a Ramsar wetland site
located near coast but not a lagoon
Enclosed between mouths of Godavari & Krishna
Rivers.
gets water from Bedameru and Tammileru
streams (they get water from Krishna &
Godavari)
Many islands on this lake.
Pallava era copper plates found from the lake.
Threats to Lake Kolleru?
1. Industrial waste and fertilizers polluting the lake.
They promote growth of weed and hyacinth*.
Not good for fishes.
2. Farmers setup artificial saline ponds for hatching
fish and prawn. This saline water pollutes
ground water.
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3. Borewells in the nearby farms = water table
down = salt water intrusion
E6: Hyacinth: hazard to f ishes
WHAT These green plants float on the water.
NATIVE
TOSouth America and Central America
GOOD
wetland species use Hyacinth leaves are
food source
fishes hide in the roots to avoid predators
BAD
Excessive growth of this plant prevents
sunlight from reaching water.
Planktons cannot grow in wetland, Damage
to entire food chain.
E7: Jhum cultivation: pros and cons
of course we all know what is Jhuming but topic in
news, because someone wrote an article in
Thehindu to glamorize jhuming technique.
What is Jhum cultivation?
Farmers slash and burn a patch of land, start
growing food crops.
When soil fertility declines they shift to another
place, burning the jungle again.
For various names for Jhum, refer to NCERT
Geography class 10, chapter 4.
Favor of Jhum cult ivat ion
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1. Uses forest’s natural cycle of regeneration.
2. Organic farming, doesn’t use pesticides or
chemical fertilizers. Trees burned to provide
potash to the soil
3. Cooperation: after jhuming, the land distributed
among farmers.
4. Jhum causes only temporary loss of jungle.
Because once monsoon over, the farmers
abandon the land. Jungle regenerates quickly.
5. The Jhum cycle normally runs for around 6-10
years. i.e. when farmers return to the same
patch of land and burn forest again.
6. During those 6-10 years, same jungle provide
forest produce to the tribals.
7. Contrary to that, monoculture plantation causes
permanent loss of forest, due to chemical inputs.
8. so once, you cut down a forest to raise
monoculture plantation, you cannot reconvert
the same land into natural forest again.
9. Jhuming done in steep hill slopes where
sedentary cultivation not possible. So it’s a reflex
to physiographical characters of the North east.
10. overall, Jhum economically productive +
ecologically sustainable
(~150 words)
Against Jhum cult ivat ion
1. If you leave the jungle for ten years, it’ll
regenerate. But nowadays farmers come back in
jut ~5 years. Not enough time for the forest to
regenerate.
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2. North eastern forest are major carbon sinks,
home to biodiversity. Must be protected.
3. Jhum farming families always suffer food, fuel
and fodder problems, leading to poverty and
malnutrition.
4. tons of biomass gets loss due to burning of
tress.
5. Tree burning leads to:
1. higher CO2, NO2 and other Greenhouse
gases (GHGs). This wasn’t an issue in ancient
times (when there was no industrialization).
But we cannot afford more GHG in modern
era.
2. higher run off of rainwater. hence draught,
drinking water shortage.
3. we cannot find oaks, bamboo and teak
forests in many regions of North East- only
deciduous scrubs left. this erodes
biodiversity of the region.
4. soil erosion, siltation in dams.
(~150 words)
Mock Questions
Q1. Consider following statements about jhum
cultivation
1. When cycle of shifting cultivation becomes
shorter, the biomass of the soil increases.
2. In Jhuming, trees are burnt to provide potash
nutrient to the soil.
3. In theory, jhuming is less harmful to ecology
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than monoculture plantations.
4. Tribals of Andaman-nicobar donot use jhuming
or slash-n-burn technique.
Answer choices
1. only 1, 2 and 4
2. only 2 and 4
3. only 2 and 3
4. only 2, 3 and 4
Q2. Consider following statements about
Indian star tortoise
1. It’s a critically endangered terrestrial life form
2. Lives on the East coast but migrates to rain
shadow areas of Kerala for laying eggs.
3. It’s a carnivore creature that feeds on insects and
mites.
Incorrect statements are
1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. All of them
Q3. Correct statements about Tortoise and
turtle?
1. Turtle is usually herbivore, tortoise is usually
omnivore
2. Tortoise prefers terrestrial habitat, turtle prefers
aquatic habitat
3. Compared to turtles, the Tortoise has a very
short life span.
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
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Incorrect statements are
1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. None of them
Q4. In the year 2014, certain new species were
in news. Which of them can be found in
Maharahstra?
1. Elephant-shrew
2. Dancing frogs
3. dwarf geckos
Correct pairs are
1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. None of them
Q5. Which of the following state governments
are officially opposed to Polavaram Project?
1. Telangana
2. Odisha
3. Tamilnadu
4. Maharahstra
5. Chhatisgarh
6. Jharkhand
Correct choices
1. only 1, 2 and 5
2. only 1,3 and 4
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3. only 1, 4 and 5
4. all of them
Q6. Correct statements about Polavaram
Project
1. official name is Rajiv Sagar project
2. Will build a dam in Khammam district, in
Telengana.
3. This dam will interlink Godavari, Krishna and the
Pennar river.
4. None of above
Q7. In May 2014, President of India
promulgated an ordinance related to
Polavaram project. What was its purpose?
1. Specifying the water and electricity sharing
formula among the stakeholder states
2. for Constitution of Polavaram Project Authority.
3. Transferring villages from Andhra to Telangana.
4. Transferring villages from Telangana to Andhra.
Q8. Consider following statements about
Kudankulam project
1. It uses Voda Voda Energo reactor.
2. It runs on light water technology using Viswam
software.
3. This technology imported from Russia while
Uranium imported from Canada
Correct statements are
1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
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3. Only 1 and 3
4. None of them
Q9. Which of the following are beneficiary of
electricity from Kudankulam project?
1. Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra
2. Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana
3. Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra, Telangana
4. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry.
Q10. Tamilnadu is the __
1. First state in India to have operational nuclear
powerplants in two places.
2. state with highest generation of nuclear energy
3. Both A and B
4. Neither A nor B
Q11. If you’re the chief conservator of forests
of Tamilnadu, which of the following will be
your top priority?
1. Stationing more guards for olive Ridley hatching
site at Rushikulaya.
2. Protection of new found species of elephant
shrew.
3. Rehabilitation of primitive tribal groups of the
Nilgiris, for construction of Polavaram project
4. None of above
Q12. In 2014, a new species of dwarf gecko was
found in Maharashtra. Why is it unique than
the ordinary geckos?
1. it lacks the autotomy ability
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2. it has cat-like eyes
3. Both A and B
4. Neither A nor B
Q13. Kolleru bird sanctuary is enclosed
between the mouths of ____ and ____ Rivers.
1. Godavari, Pennar
2. Krishna, Pennar
3. Godavari, Krishna,
4. Pennar, Polvaram
Q14. Which of the following measures will help
in biodiversity preservation of Lake Kolleru?
1. introduction of aquatic plant species called
Hyacinth, in this wetland habitat
2. Providing subsidy to the fisherman in
surrounding villages to create artificial ponds for
prawn hatching.
3. Requesting UNFCC Secretariat to grant “Ramsar
Wetland site” Status to Lake Kolleru.
Correct choices
1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. None of them
Mains General Studies
1. (GS1) “Jhum cultivation, though primitive in
methods, is an ancient way of keeping harmony
with nature.” Comment (200 words.)
2. (GS2) List the Constitutional provisions of
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ordinance powers of the president. Narrate
recent cases where it has been used. (200 words)
Interview
1. What is Polvaram project? Why is it in
controversy? should it be scrapped off?
2. What is Polavaram ordinance? Why are critiques
arguing that President’s ordinance power has
been misused in this case?
3. Why is Kudankulam nuclear plant unique than
other nuclear plants in India?
4. Do you know the difference between a tortoise
and a turtle?
5. Can you name any new species found in India
during year 2014?
Answers
1. Ans C. shorter jhuming cycle means less
biomass because forest cannot regenerate
quickly. so #1 is wrong. #4 is wrong as per
NCERT class10 chapter 4. We are left with answer
(C) only 2 and 3 correct.
2. D. All of them wrong.
3. C. 1 and 3 wrong.
4. B. only 2 and 3 i.e. frogs and geckos.
5. C. Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh
6. D. None of above
7. D. villages from Telangana to Andhra
8. A. only 1 and 2 right
9. D. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry.
10. C both correct. two places and highest
production
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11. D. none of above. Rushikulaya is in Odisha.
12. D. none
13. C. Godavari and Krishna
14. D. none of them. It is already recognized as
Ramsar wetland site.
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अब तक 89 कम��स �लखी गयी
[Current] May-Week1/P2: History
Culture: Tatya’s 200th Anniversary,
Bogus FIR against Bhagat Singh,
Buddha’s Begging bowl, Arab Serai &
Role of Cinema
[Current] May-Week1/P3: Economy-
Financial resolution authority, Reena
Benerjee Committee on
Bancassurance, Minor Bank accounts,
Enforcement day
patel rajan 01/07/2014 at 18:03
mrunal sir ,plz clear my doubt.my problem is different dob.
in my birth cert dob is :5/2/1994
but in my school record dob is 5/1/1993.in my
matriculation ssc cert(GSEB) dob/: 5/1/1993
but after 10th i get admission in 11th sci,but i did diploma
in mech eng & then B.E. mech is running(7 sem)
so my last leaving certificate is from 11th school.but for
passport purpose i need same dob in birth cert & last L.C.
so i do court process for change in my L.C. after court
order 11th school issue me new L.C. as per birth cert. now
in my birth cert & 11th L.C. dob is 5/2/1994. dut in 10th cert
still it is 5/1/1993. when i appear for ias next year which
dob i fill online form. is L.C is valid as per certi valid under
the expression Matriculation/Secondary
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
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Reply
Examination Certificate of upsc notification on page no 2
(2014). will it create any problem for me at verification
stage? my birth cert & 11th L.C is same,should i go with
them or 10th credit certi. i also have copy of court process.
plz guide me on it. which documents is required at main
stage?
Pushkar Mishra 01/07/2014 at 21:38
Reply
Anyone having “MAITHILI” Literature as an optional subject
then please let me know.
Cheers!
taste victory 02/07/2014 at 00:44
Reply
sir whn vl u update sci and tech ….waiting for it!
praveen kumar 02/07/2014 at 02:08
Reply
Thank u sir
ATTICUS 02/07/2014 at 10:42
Reply
Hi Mrunal..
writing competition was a great initiative
why did u stop it ? if no personal reason is involved please
let it happen.. as it immensly help to all de aspirants..
abhilakshya 02/07/2014 at 13:37
Reply
5. A
I think there is a typo
sahil 02/07/2014 at 14:34
Reply
friends i have my sbi po exam on 6th july , does anyone
has any idea whether i can write the (english) descriptive
portion with black/blue pen? reply expected .thanks.
Ujjwal 02/07/2014 at 17:43
No restriction…. can use either black or blue (other
7/13/2014 [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gec…
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Reply
colors red, green etc. not forbidden as per rules,
but shouldn’t be used as they are unconventional)
patel rajan 02/07/2014 at 18:14
Reply
use black or blue
sahil 02/07/2014 at 19:31
Reply
Thanks a lot Ujjwal.. :)
rannsa 02/07/2014 at 19:50
Reply
here, official name is incorrect . it should be written
scientific name or zoological name.
optimist 02/07/2014 at 20:07
Reply
Anyone living in varanasi and preparing?
(*seriously)..kindly let me know and let us get in touch
manoj 03/07/2014 at 18:50
Reply
ghariyal related to only chambal river and crocodile get in
narmada and ganga river . ghariyal get only in india but
crocodile get in outside india also . ghariyal as per name
its front mouth like as ghada means pitcher and whole
mouth like pipe, and crocodile’s mouth is flate
dev 04/07/2014 at 07:44
Reply
mrunal when will you post science and tech for ias pre…..
SK.ABID.RAZZA 04/07/2014 at 13:41
Reply
Nyc compilation mrunal sir once again …
animesh 06/07/2014 at 12:30
mrunal sir…agar aap iss site ko hindi me bhi run kare to
mujh jaise hindi medium ke student ke liye bahut benificial
ho jayega aur time bhi save hoga hamara aur samjhne me
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‹ परुानी कम��स 1 2
Reply
bhi…..plzz consider my request….i hope… :-)
abhi 06/07/2014 at 17:42
Reply
Sir , prez can promulagate ordinaces in matters only
where parliament can make laws and under article 3
parliament may by law can alter state boundaries ..so its
within the ambit of president’s ordinance making power.
But you hav mentioned its outside prez ordinance issuing
power….
Correct me if m wrong …
shiv kumar 08/07/2014 at 17:07
Reply
Thank you so much sir
jude_lucy 12/07/2014 at 17:36
Reply
oh… so many grammatical mistakes,sorry this stock
samsung keyboard without swype sucks
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