2014 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I

Question 95: Environment and Ecology

With reference to 'Eco-Sensitive Zones', which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. 1.Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  2. 2.The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities in those zones except agriculture.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a1 only
b2 only
cBoth 1 and 2
dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

Eco-Sensitive Zones are areas around protected areas such as national parks and sanctuaries, notified by the Union environment ministry under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, not the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Their aim is to act as a buffer or shock absorber by regulating, not prohibiting, activities nearby. Industries that pollute are restricted and others are allowed with safeguards. Both statements are wrong.

  • 1. They are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • 2. Activities are regulated, not banned, in the zones.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) and (c) go: each of them includes 2.

    What you needed to know: Activities are regulated, not banned, in the zones.

    The red flag in statement 2 is “all”. In UPSC’s papers, statements with “all” were true 41% of the time (76 statements). A hint, not a rule.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) goes: it includes 1.

    What you needed to know: They are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong. They are declared under the Environment (Protection) Act, not the Wildlife Act.
  • (b) Wrong. Activities are regulated, not prohibited except agriculture.
  • (c) Wrong. Both statements are false.
  • (d) Right. Neither statement is correct.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.