Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Tuvalu is located south of the equator and west of the dateline, about midway between Hawaii and Australia. 

It is one of the world’s smallest nations and an independent state with the English monarch as head of state.

Statement 2 is correct: Tuvalu is the world’s fourth smallest country  (an archipelago of six coral atolls and three islands covers an area of just 26 km²). The existence of the low-lying islands is threatened by rising sea levels caused by global warming.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Tuvalu is located in the West Central Pacific Ocean. Most of Tuvalu is forecast to be flooded by high tides by 2100, says the United Nations Development Programme, which is working with Tuvalu to bolster its coastline.

Ans: B

Exp:

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated action on alleged encroachments in the buffer zone of the Pattandur Agrahara lake in Mahadevapura, east Bengaluru. 

Statement 1 is correct: The National Green Tribunal was established by the Government of India under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. The main objective of the National Green Tribunal is efficacious and expeditious handling of cases related to environmental protection, forest conservation, natural resource preservation, pollution compensation, and environmental restitution.

Since its inception National Green Tribunal has been taking up cases relating to the environment, such as Air pollution, Noise pollution, Water pollution, Industrial pollution, waste disposal etc.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has the power to take suo moto cognisance of environmental issues.

It has intervened (suo moto) to remedy environmental degradation manifested by online data maintained by statutory regulators

It has also intervened (suo moto) for compensation and protection of the environment in cases of fatal accidents involving violation of environment safety norms which helped the common man get expeditious relief on the basis of the principle of restitution.

Ans: D

Exp:

The wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) is the world’s largest flying bird. These birds are oceanic nomads, and they spend most of their 60 years of life at sea and only come to land to breed approximately every two years once they have reached sexual maturity.

These birds are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The following factors affect their nesting sites:

• Elevation (which on this island is also a proxy for temperature)-The most important variable was elevation. The majority of the nests were found close to the coast, where the elevation is lower. These areas are warmer, which means that the chicks would be less exposed to very cold temperatures on their open nests.
• Terrain ruggedness- The probability of encountering nests is lower as the terrain ruggedness increases since these birds need a runway of flat space to use for take-off and landing. 
• Slope
• Distance to the coast
• Vegetation type- These birds use vegetation to build their nests. In addition, dead vegetation contributes to the soil formation on the island, which is also used in nest construction.
• Wind speed- Areas with intermediate wind speeds were those most likely to have a nest. At least some wind is needed for flight, but too much wind may cause chicks to blow off the nests or become too cold.
• Wind turbulence
• Underlying geology.

Ans: A

Exp:

Manipur’s tableau in the 75th Republic Day parade showcased the women-run Ima Keithel, also known as the Mother’s Market. The 500-year-old Ima Keithel is the only market in the world run entirely by women. Based on the theme ‘Thambal Gi langla- Lotus Threads’, the tableau depicted women extracting delicate fibre from lotus stems and making yarn using traditional spinning wheels. In the centre, the float depicted a woman weaving clothes using ‘Eyong’- a traditional Manipuri loom. A replica of the Ima Keithel building adorned the rear end of the float.

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Padma awards are given in various disciplines and fields of activities – art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service in any field.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian awards (not gallantry awards) of India. They are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year and are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions, which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, usually in March- April every year.