Question
As per this article, which one of the following is the
prime reason to save the ecological diversity of Western Ghats? (A) It is important to save the Ghats as they are abode to numerous flora and fauna, including various medicinal plants (B) It is important to save the Ghats as the new species of plants found in Western Ghats form a bulk of India’s medicinal plants export. (C) It is important to save the Ghats as they play a pivotal role in determining the monsoon across the country (D) It is important to save the Ghats because of the recommendation of the two most important committees of ecological conservation i.e. Gadgil Panel and Kasturirangan committee Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/ Phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions. The hesitation shown by the Central government in deciding upon full legal protection for one of its most prized natural assets, the Western Ghats in their totality, is a major disappointment. The idea that whatever is left of these fragile mountainous forests should be protected from unsustainable exploitation in the interests of present and future generations, while presenting sustainable ways of living to the communities that inhabit these landscapes, is being lost sight of. Quite unscientifically, the issue is being framed as one of development-versus-conservation. Given the weak effort at forging a consensus , there is little purpose in the Centre returning to the drawing board with another draft notification to identify ecologically sensitive areas. What it needs is a framework under which scientific evidence and public concerns are debated democratically and the baseline for ESAs arrived at. It is accepted, for instance, that the Ghats play an irreplaceable role in mediating the monsoon over the country and the forests harbor a rich biodiversity that has not even been fully studied. New species continue to emerge each year in an area that has endemic plants and animals, although, as the scientist Norman Myers wrote nearly two decades ago, only 6.8% of primary vegetation out of the original 182,500 sq km remains in the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka taken together. The ecologically sensitive nature of the forests stretching 1,600 km along the western coast as a global biodiversity hotspot was emphasized by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel headed by MadhavGadgil, while for conservation purposes, the Kasturirangan Committee identified only a third of the total area. Both expert groups have encountered resistance from State governments and industries, although they mutually differ in their recommendations. The question that needs speedy resolution is how much of the Western Ghats can be demarcated as ecologically sensitive, going beyond the system of national parks and sanctuaries that already exist. As a corollary, are other areas free to be exploited for industrial activity, including mining and deforestation, with no environmental consequences? A frequently cited example of destruction is the loss of ecology in Goa due to rampant, illegal mining. More complicated is the assessment of ecosystem services delivered by the forests, lakes, rivers and their biodiversity to communities. Mr. Gadgil, for instance, has underscored the unique value of some locations, such as those with fish or medicinal plant diversity peculiar to a small area, which should not get lost in the assessment process. All this points to the need for wider and more open consultation with people at all levels, imbuing the process with scientific insights. The sooner this is done the better. Several options to spare sensitive areas will emerge, such as community-led ecological tourism and agro-ecological farming. A national consultative process is urgently called for.Solution
Solution: In the passage, only (A) and (C) are stated. The passage says ‘It is accepted, for instance, that the Ghats play an irreplaceable role in mediating the monsoon over the country and the forests harbor a rich biodiversity that has not even been fully studied.’.
More than 100 police officers were being deployed at the venue , along with an armed posse from the Police.
In the following questions, sentences are given with a part in bold. The given phrase in bold may or may not contain an error. If phrase has error, one...
In the following question, a sentence is given with a phrase or idiom highlighted in bold. Select the option given below that can replace the highlight...
The minister flagged the underperformance of the information technology, construction and agricultural sectors, which earlier served as huge job-creator...
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the bold segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substi...
One day I want to walk across the tunnel to see whether it is really dark inside without the light, even during the day.
Newer refrigerants with lower global warming potential is available for the industry.
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the bold segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substi...
British ambassador Simon Manley tweeted a photo of WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on a dais during the meeting of ambassadors, and wrote that...
In consonance in the goal of provide  h ealth for all under the National Health Policy, care should be universal, and free at the point of delivery.<...
Relevant for Exams:
