Repeated Theme

1. Choose the correct statements:

Recently, a study showed that Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD) is posing a severe threat on the Commercial Cultivation of Sandalwood. Identify Geographical conditions for Sandalwood Trees:

1. Sandalwood trees thrive well in the tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is hot & humid. 
2. The cultivation requires temperatures ranging from 12 degree to 40 degree Celsius and lands at reasonably higher altitudes.
3. Cultivating sandalwood plants requires less water.

A. Only 1 and 2

B. Only 2 and 3

C. Only 1 and 3

D. 1, 2 and 3 only

UPSC PYQ –  Repeated Theme

2. With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements: (2016)

1. It is a tree species found in a part of South India.
2. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rain forest areas of South India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

3. The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has recently asked the Arunachal Pradesh Government to file a fresh proposal for forest diversion and the construction of the Etalin Hydroelectric Project . Identify the Issues associated with the same :

1. The project did not fit the meaning of a ‘run-of-the-river’ project, given that it entails large-scale diversions of 16.5 km in Dri River and 18 km in Tangon River. 
2. The project will displace local indigenous communities, such as the Idu Mishmi, from Dibang valley, which itself is a region of local cultural reverence.

A. Only 1 

B. Only 2

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2 

4. Archaeological Survey of India has recently located Buddhist caves, temples in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Where is it located ?

A. Karanataka

B. Madhya Pradesh

C. Kerala

D. Uttar Pradesh

5. Farmers have been urging Centre to control import of Arecanuts to check falling prices in the domestic market.

Identify the reasons for the same:

1. Large areas under the crop have been damaged by yellow leaf disease.
2. Massive crop damage due to excessive rainfall.
3. Import of  without MIP(minimum import price) from Bhutan

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answers with Explanation

Repeated Theme

1. Choose the correct statements:

Recently, a study showed that Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD) is posing a severe threat on the Commercial Cultivation of Sandalwood. Identify Geographical conditions for Sandalwood Trees:

1. Sandalwood trees thrive well in the tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is hot & humid. 
2. The cultivation requires temperatures ranging from 12 degree to 40 degree Celsius and lands at reasonably higher altitudes.
3. Cultivating sandalwood plants requires less water.

A. Only 1 and 2

B. Only 2 and 3

C. Only 1 and 3

D. 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer: D

Explanation 

• Sandalwood trees thrive well in the tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is hot & humid. 
• The cultivation requires temperatures ranging from 12 degree to 40 degree Celsius and lands at reasonably higher altitudes.
• Cultivating sandalwood plants requires less water.
• Sandalwood can grow in a varirty of soil types including red clay soils, sandy soils and day-rich black soils and can tolerate gravelly soil and rocky ground.
• The soil pH should range between 6 and 7.5.

UPSC PYQ –  Repeated Theme

2. With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements: (2016)

1. It is a tree species found in a part of South India.
2. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rain forest areas of South India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Explanation 

• Red Sanders has a restricted distribution in the southeastern portion of Indian peninsula to which it is endemic.
• Red sanders are endemic to a distinct tract of forests in Andhra Pradesh.
• It occurs in the forest formation which is classified as Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests. 

3. The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has recently asked the Arunachal Pradesh Government to file a fresh proposal for forest diversion and the construction of the Etalin Hydroelectric Project . Identify the Issues associated with the same :

1. The project did not fit the meaning of a ‘run-of-the-river’ project, given that it entails large-scale diversions of 16.5 km in Dri River and 18 km in Tangon River. 
2. The project will displace local indigenous communities, such as the Idu Mishmi, from Dibang valley, which itself is a region of local cultural reverence.

A. Only 1 

B. Only 2

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2 

Answer: C

Explanation 

• The hydroelectric project will require the diversion of 1,165.66 hectares of forest land and the felling of more than 280,000 trees in the area. 
•  Note : Etalin is a village and the headquarters of an eponymous circle (subdistrict) in the Dibang Valley district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh
•  Ever since it was proposed in 2008, the Etalin Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh has faced stiff opposition. 
• Social activists, scientists and conservationists have highlighted several concerns surrounding the massive 3,097 megawatt project. 
• Run of River Project : the project did not fit the meaning of a ‘run-of-the-river’ project, given that it entails large-scale diversions of 16.5 km in Dri River and 18 km in Tangon River. “Run-of-the-river essentially means that the project will be installed without affecting the river run 
• Displacement of Communities : They have pointed out that the project’s cost to humans is high, noting that the project will displace local indigenous communities, such as the Idu Mishmi, from Dibang valley, which itself is a region of local cultural reverence

4. Archaeological Survey of India has recently located Buddhist caves, temples in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Where is it located ?

A. Karanataka

B. Madhya Pradesh

C. Kerala

D. Uttar Pradesh

Answer: B

Explanation

5. Farmers have been urging Centre to control import of Arecanuts to check falling prices in the domestic market.

Identify the reasons for the same:

1. Large areas under the crop have been damaged by yellow leaf disease.
2. Massive crop damage due to excessive rainfall.
3. Import of  without MIP(minimum import price) from Bhutan

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Explanation

Issues

• Large areas under the crop have been damaged by yellow leaf disease, blast disease and fruit rot disease, especially in Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamagaluru districts. 
•  Massive crop damage due to excessive rainfall. 
•  Import of without MIP from Bhutan.

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