Indian Coast Guard Navik (GD) Endangered Species — practice questions

Answer: D. The exhaust emission from a hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle is WATER VAPOUR. In a hydrogen FCEV, hydrogen (H2) from the fuel tank combines with oxygen (O2) from the air at the fuel cell's catalyst surface. The electrochemical reaction is: 2 H2 + O2 -> 2 H2O + electricity. The only chemical product leaving the exhaust is water (released as vapour due to operating temperature). This zero-emission profile is the main environmental selling point of FCEVs over internal combustion engines. Distractors fail: (A) Hydrogen peroxide is not formed under normal fuel cell operation. (B) Hydronium (H3O+) is a transient species in the electrolyte membrane, not exhaust. (C) Oxygen is consumed, not emitted. Source: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy + IEA Hydrogen Technology Roadmap.

Answer: B. The Orangutan is known to fashion stick tools to extract insects from holes in wood. Tool use among great apes is well documented. Wild orangutans in Sumatra (notably the Suaq Balimbing population) use sticks to extract honey, ants and termites from tree cavities. They also fashion leaf-pads as gloves and umbrellas. Tool use is socially transmitted within orangutan groups. Chimpanzees also use stick tools (Jane Goodall's famous discovery of 'termite fishing' in Gombe). But the question asks about an orangutan-style technique. Distractors fail: (A) Fishing cats hunt fish with paws/jaws — no documented stick tool use. (C) Otters use stones to crack shellfish (especially sea otters) but not sticks for insect extraction. (D) Sloth bears use their long claws and powerful suction (lips) to extract termites; no stick tools. Source: Primate research literature (van Schaik et al.) / syllabus Biology.

Answer: C. The CENTRAL GROUND WATER AUTHORITY (CGWA) has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. CGWA was constituted in 1997 under SECTION 3(3) of the ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION) ACT, 1986 by the Government of India to regulate and control development and management of groundwater resources in the country. CGWA's powers include: - Notifying areas where groundwater use needs to be regulated. - Issuing directions for closure of bore wells in over-exploited areas. - Levying environmental compensation. - Registering existing groundwater users. Distractors: (A) CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION (CWC) is the premier technical organisation for water resources but was set up by executive resolution in 1945, NOT under the EP Act. It is attached to Ministry of Jal Shakti. (B) CENTRAL GROUND WATER BOARD (CGWB) is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, established in 1970 by reorganisation. CGWB conducts groundwater surveys and provides scientific assessments. It was NOT constituted under the EP Act it is a technical body, not a regulatory authority. (D) NATIONAL WATER DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NWDA) is a society under Ministry of Jal Shakti (1982) for inter-basin transfer studies. Not under EP Act. Only CGWA, with regulatory powers, draws its statutory authority from the Environment Protection Act 1986. Source: Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Section 3(3) Notification 1997 / Jal Shakti Annual Report.