Dibrugarh University BCOM 2nd SEM FYUGP
Environmental Science Question Paper 2024
(Value Added Courses)
Paper: VAC3, Full Marks: 40
Pass Marks: 12, Time: 2 hours
The figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions
1. Answer the following questions: 1x5=5
(a) What do you mean by ‘environment’?
The environment refers to the surrounding conditions, influences, and interactions that affect living organisms. It includes both natural elements like air, water, land, and ecosystems, as well as human-made components such as buildings, roads, and urban areas.
(b) What is global warming?
Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes contribute to the accumulation of gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, leading to the warming of the planet.
(c) What is the relation between ‘Red Data Book’ and ‘IUCN’?
The Red Data Book is published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and provides a comprehensive list of species that are endangered or at risk of extinction. The IUCN assesses the conservation status of these species, categorizing them based on the degree of threat they face. The Red Data Book is a tool used to raise awareness and guide conservation efforts.
(d) What do you mean by wildlife conservation?
Wildlife conservation refers to the practice of protecting and preserving animal species and their habitats to prevent extinction. It involves efforts such as habitat protection, anti-poaching laws, captive breeding programs, and creating protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
(e) Mention the date on which World Earth Day is celebrated.
World Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22 to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage actions to protect the planet.
2. Answer the following questions in short (any four): 2x4=8
(a) What is rainwater harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rainwater for future use, typically for drinking, irrigation, or groundwater recharge. It involves capturing rainwater from roofs, surfaces, or other catchment areas and storing it in tanks or reservoirs.
(b) Write ex-situ conservation with a suitable example.
Ex-situ conservation refers to the conservation of species outside their natural habitats. This method involves preserving species in controlled environments like zoos, botanical gardens, or seed banks.
Example: The preservation of the Pandas in breeding centers or zoos is an example of ex-situ conservation.
(c) What do you mean by waste management?
Waste management is the process of collecting, transporting, processing, and disposing of waste in an environmentally friendly manner. It aims to reduce waste generation, recycle materials, and ensure the safe disposal of hazardous substances to minimize environmental harm.
(d) What is greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. These gases allow sunlight to enter but prevent some of the heat from escaping back into space, leading to a warming of the Earth's surface.
(e) What is Red Data Book?
The Red Data Book is a publication that lists all the endangered species of plants, animals, and fungi. It provides information about the conservation status of species and the level of threat they face, aiming to raise awareness and guide conservation efforts.
3. Write short notes on (any three): 4x3=12
(a) Climate Change Climate change refers to long-term alterations in global or regional climate patterns, mainly due to human activities. It is largely driven by the increase in greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide) in the atmosphere due to burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities.
Key Aspects:
i) Global Warming: Rise in average surface temperatures due to greenhouse effect.
ii) Extreme Weather: Increased frequency of droughts, floods, storms, and heatwaves.
iii) Melting Ice Caps and Rising Sea Levels: Causing coastal flooding and habitat loss.
iv) Impact on Ecosystems: Altering habitats, causing species extinction, and affecting biodiversity.
v) Human Impact: Threat to agriculture, water security, health, and livelihoods, especially in vulnerable regions.
Mitigation strategies include reducing carbon emissions, switching to renewable energy, afforestation, and international agreements like the Paris Agreement.
(b) In-situ Conservation
In-situ conservation means conserving species within their natural habitats, allowing them to evolve naturally and maintain their ecological roles. It focuses on protecting ecosystems and biodiversity where they naturally occur.
Methods:
i) National Parks: Areas set aside for protecting wildlife and ecosystems, human activities are restricted.
ii) Wildlife Sanctuaries: Similar to national parks but allow limited human activity like grazing.
iii) Biosphere Reserves: Large regions preserving ecosystems, with core, buffer, and transition zones.
iv) Sacred Groves: Community-protected forest patches with cultural or religious importance.
In-situ conservation is cost-effective, preserves genetic diversity, and allows natural processes to continue.
(c) Land Degradation Land degradation is the decline in the productive capacity of land due to human activities or natural processes, making it less useful for agriculture, forestry, or biodiversity.
Causes:
i) Deforestation: Loss of forest cover leads to soil erosion and nutrient loss.
ii) Overgrazing: Excessive livestock pressure damages grasslands and soils.
iii) Over-irrigation and Waterlogging: Leads to salinization and reduced soil fertility.
iv) Industrial and Urban Expansion: Converts fertile land into non-productive surfaces.
v) Mining and Quarrying: Leaves behind degraded, polluted land.
Control Measures: Afforestation, soil conservation, controlled grazing, sustainable farming, and proper land-use planning.
(d) Scopes of Environmental Studies
Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary field focusing on the relationship between humans and the environment, covering scientific, social, and policy aspects.
Scope Includes:
i) Understanding Ecosystems: Studying ecological processes, biodiversity, and natural resource cycles.
ii) Pollution Control: Examining sources, impacts, and solutions for air, water, soil, and noise pollution.
iii) Sustainable Development: Developing strategies to meet human needs without harming the environment.
iv) Environmental Policies and Laws: Understanding national and international regulations for environmental protection.
v) Environmental Education: Raising public awareness and promoting responsible environmental behavior.
It offers career opportunities in research, environmental management, policy-making, conservation, and education.
(e) Air Pollution
Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances (pollutants) in the atmosphere that damage human health, ecosystems, and the climate.
Major Pollutants:
i) Particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10)
ii) Sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx)
iii) Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂)
iv) Ozone (O₃), lead, volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Sources:
i) Industrial emissions, power plants
ii) Vehicle exhausts
iii) Burning of fossil fuels and biomass
iv) Construction dust, agricultural activities
Effects:
i) Respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, reduced life expectancy
ii) Acid rain, smog formation, climate change
iii) Damage to crops, soil, water bodies, and wildlife
Control Measures: Use of clean fuels, emission control technologies, promoting public transport, afforestation, and strict enforcement of environmental regulations.
4. Explain about the strategies of sustainable development.
Answer: Sustainable development refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. To achieve this, several key strategies are followed:
i) Efficient Resource Use: Promote the use of renewable resources (like solar, wind, biomass) and reduce dependence on non-renewable resources. Encourage recycling and reuse to minimize waste.
ii) Environmental Protection: Implement strict regulations to control pollution, conserve biodiversity, protect forests, wetlands, and natural habitats, and ensure proper waste management.
iii) Economic Growth with Equity: Promote inclusive growth that benefits all sections of society, especially marginalized communities, ensuring access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
iv) Adoption of Clean Technologies: Invest in environmentally friendly technologies that reduce carbon emissions, energy consumption, and environmental degradation.
v) Public Participation and Awareness: Encourage community involvement, raise public awareness, and foster cooperation among governments, industries, and civil society to implement sustainable practices.
5. Explain the importance of surface water and causes for its pollution.
Answer:
Importance of Surface Water: Surface water (rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs) is vital for drinking, agriculture (irrigation), industrial processes, hydroelectric power generation, fisheries, transportation, and maintaining ecological balance. It supports biodiversity and provides livelihoods for millions of people.
Causes of Surface Water Pollution:
i) Industrial Waste: Discharge of untreated or partially treated chemical, metal, and toxic wastes into rivers and lakes pollutes the water.
ii) Agricultural Runoff: Excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides washes into water bodies, causing nutrient pollution and eutrophication.
iii) Domestic Sewage: Unregulated dumping of household wastewater and sewage introduces organic waste, pathogens, and detergents into surface water.
iv) Solid Waste and Plastics: Dumping of plastic, garbage, and non-biodegradable waste clogs and contaminates water bodies.
v) Oil Spills and Urban Runoff: Leakages from vehicles, oil spills, and stormwater runoff from roads carry pollutants into surface water.
Or
Explain various sources of waste in urban and industrial sectors and how they can be properly managed.
Answer: Sources of Waste in Urban and Industrial Sectors:
i) Urban Sources:
Municipal solid waste (household garbage, food waste, plastics, paper)
Construction and demolition debris
Sewage and wastewater
E-waste (discarded electronics)
ii) Industrial Sources:
Chemical wastes (solvents, acids)
Metal and mineral wastes
Textile and dyeing effluents
Thermal power plant ash
Proper Waste Management Methods:
i) Waste Segregation and Recycling: Separate waste at source into biodegradable, recyclable, and hazardous categories to facilitate recycling and reduce landfill use.
ii) Composting and Bio-digestion: Organic (biodegradable) waste can be composted or converted to biogas, reducing methane emissions and producing useful products.
iii) Treatment of Industrial Effluents: Industries must install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) to treat wastewater before discharge.
iv) Energy Recovery: Waste-to-energy plants can convert non-recyclable waste into electricity or fuel.
v) Strict Regulation and Monitoring: Implement environmental regulations, monitor compliance, and penalize violations to ensure industries and municipalities follow proper waste disposal practices.
6. Discuss various methods to protect wildlife and their conservation.
Answer:
i) Establishing Protected Areas: Set up national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, and conservation reserves to provide safe habitats for wildlife and prevent habitat destruction.
ii) Legal Protection and Policies: Enforce wildlife protection laws (like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972) to ban hunting, poaching, illegal trade, and to regulate human activities near sensitive areas.
iii) Habitat Restoration: Restore degraded ecosystems by reforesting, cleaning water bodies, and improving natural habitats to support the survival and reproduction of wild species.
iv) Captive Breeding and Reintroduction: Breed endangered species in captivity (zoos, breeding centers) and release them back into their natural habitats to boost wild populations.
v) Community Participation and Awareness: Involve local communities in conservation efforts, promote eco-tourism, and educate the public about the importance of biodiversity and sustainable practices.
Or
What are the ways to mitigate human-wildlife conflict?
Answer:
i) Proper Land Use Planning: Create buffer zones between human settlements and wildlife habitats, and prevent human encroachment into forests or protected areas.
ii) Early Warning Systems and Barriers: Install fencing, trenches, and use technologies like alarms or sensors to alert communities about approaching wildlife and reduce encounters.
iii) Compensation Schemes: Provide fair compensation to farmers and villagers for crop or livestock losses caused by wildlife, to reduce retaliatory killings.
iv) Community Engagement: Involve local people in decision-making, encourage them to participate in conservation efforts, and train them in safe coexistence practices.
v) Relocation and Habitat Improvement: Relocate problematic wildlife to safer areas and improve natural habitats to reduce their movement into human-dominated zones.
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