UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Wetlands nurture not just Ecosystems but Communities, Culture and Livelihoods: Shri Bhupender Yadav

Q1. The identification of Indian wetlands for designation to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance and their subsequent conservation at the national level is operationalised primarily by which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Jal Shakti
  • B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • C. Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • D. Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Q2. With reference to the wetlands added to India's Ramsar List immediately ahead of World Wetlands Day 2026, consider the following: 1. Chhari-Dhand (Kutch), Gujarat 2. Patna Bird Sanctuary (Etah), Uttar Pradesh 3. Khichan, Rajasthan 4. Parvati Arga, Uttar Pradesh Which of the above is/are correctly identified as among the two wetlands added to India's Ramsar List ahead of World Wetlands Day 2026?

  1. Chhari-Dhand (Kutch), Gujarat
  2. Patna Bird Sanctuary (Etah), Uttar Pradesh
  3. Khichan, Rajasthan
  4. Parvati Arga, Uttar Pradesh
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 2 and 4

Q3. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was adopted in 1971 but became operational only later. How many years after its adoption did the Convention enter into force globally?

  • A. 3 years
  • B. 4 years
  • C. 7 years
  • D. 11 years

Q4. In the context of the Ramsar Convention, the term 'Montreux Record' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A register of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur due to human interference
  • B. The list of all wetlands that meet the Convention's criteria for international importance
  • C. A fund set up under the Convention to finance wetland restoration in developing countries
  • D. The register of transboundary wetlands jointly managed by two or more Contracting Parties

Q5. Under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, the expression 'wise use of wetlands' is best defined as which one of the following?

  • A. Complete prohibition of all human activity within the notified wetland boundary
  • B. Maintenance of the ecological character of wetlands, achieved through the ecosystem approach within the context of sustainable development
  • C. Commercial utilisation of wetlands to maximise revenue from fisheries and tourism
  • D. Conversion of degraded wetlands into productive land for agriculture and settlement

Q6. Regarding the regulatory architecture envisaged by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, which one of the following correctly describes how many, and what kind of, wetland authorities are to be constituted?

  • A. A single Central Wetlands Regulatory Authority for the entire country
  • B. One State Wetland Authority in each State and Union Territory
  • C. One dedicated authority for each notified Ramsar site only
  • D. A single joint authority for every major river basin

Q7. Consider the following statements comparing India's wetland-related programmes: 1. Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI were both announced in the Union Budget 2023-24. 2. Mission Sahbhagita was also announced in the Union Budget 2023-24. 3. MISHTI targets mangrove habitats, whereas Amrit Dharohar centres on the conservation and wise use of Ramsar-site wetlands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI were both announced in the Union Budget 2023-24.
  2. Mission Sahbhagita was also announced in the Union Budget 2023-24.
  3. MISHTI targets mangrove habitats, whereas Amrit Dharohar centres on the conservation and wise use of Ramsar-site wetlands.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. In the context of India's coastal ecosystem programmes, 'MISHTI' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A scheme for restoration and afforestation of mangroves along India's coastline
  • B. A programme for desilting and rejuvenation of high-altitude Himalayan wetlands
  • C. An initiative for conservation of seagrass meadows and coral reefs
  • D. A mission for interlinking of coastal rivers to generate tangible incomes

Q9. The MISHTI scheme for restoration of mangrove habitats was announced in which one of the following?

  • A. Union Budget 2021-22
  • B. Union Budget 2022-23
  • C. Union Budget 2023-24
  • D. Union Budget 2024-25

Q10. World Wetlands Day, observed on 2 February every year, commemorates the signing of which one of the following?

  • A. Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992
  • B. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 1971
  • C. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (Bonn Convention), 1979
  • D. Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment, 1972

Q11. Consider the following pairs of wetland type and its defining feature: 1. Marshes — wetlands dominated by herbaceous (non-woody) vegetation 2. Swamps — wetlands dominated by woody vegetation such as trees and shrubs 3. Peatlands — formed by accumulation of partially decomposed organic matter and act as major carbon stores 4. Mangroves — free-floating freshwater vegetation typical of high-altitude lakes Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

  1. Marshes — wetlands dominated by herbaceous (non-woody) vegetation
  2. Swamps — wetlands dominated by woody vegetation such as trees and shrubs
  3. Peatlands — formed by accumulation of partially decomposed organic matter and act as major carbon stores
  4. Mangroves — free-floating freshwater vegetation typical of high-altitude lakes
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4