Answer: C

Explanation:

The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) is pivotal in safeguarding Antarctica's fragile ecosystem and promoting scientific research in the region. Its primary aim is to facilitate international cooperation on scientific research and sustainable resource management in Antarctica while upholding the principles and objectives outlined in the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol), which came into effect in 1961. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

The 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) is being held in Kochi from May 20-30, 2024. It is hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, an autonomous research institute under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

It is convened annually under the Antarctic Treaty System. The Antarctic Treaty currently boasts 56 parties, including India, all of whom engage in collaborative efforts to address environmental and governance issues pertinent to Antarctica. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Recently, a United Nations report highlighted that up to 50% of the world's rangelands are degraded, a figure nearly double the previous estimates of 20-35%. Rangeland refers to vast expanses of land primarily used for grazing livestock, where natural vegetation such as grasses, shrubs and herbs serve as the main source of forage. Hence, statement I is correct.

Approximately 40% of India's total land surface is used for grazing, including grasslands (17%) and forests (23%). Pastoralism is one of the oldest and most sustainable food systems, supporting up to 500 million people worldwide. The United Nations declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists to advocate for healthy rangelands and sustainable pastoralism. Hence, statement II is correct.

Here, statements I and II both are correct but statement –II is the correct explanation of statement-I. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Recently, researchers from the Zoological Survey of India and the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board rediscovered the Sri Lankan golden-backed frog (Hylarana gracilis) after two centuries in Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary. The Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is an elephant reserve and wildlife sanctuary in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. It's located on the banks of the Koundinya river, in the Palamner-Kuppam forest ranges and is part of the Government of India's Project Elephant, a nationwide elephant conservation project. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

The Kaigal and the Kaundinya rivers which are the tributaries of the Palar river, flow through this sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to about 78 Asian elephants. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Recently, wildlife authorities in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul & Spiti district began surveys to census the populations of blue sheep (bharal) and Himalayan ibex. The blue sheep, also known as the bharal (Pseudois nayaur), is a goat-antelope native to the Himalayas. It is a medium-sized mammal that lives in mountainous regions of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and Pakistan. The Himalayan Ibex (Capra sibirica hemalayanus) is a wild goat subspecies of the Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica). It is also known as the Central Asian Ibex, the Gobi Ibex, the Mongolian Ibex and the Tian Shan Ibex. Both blue sheep and Himalayan ibex are classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Hence, statements 1 and 2 both are correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

One person died and several were injured after Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence on May 20. Turbulence is the disruption of airflow over an airplane's wings, causing irregular vertical motion.

Types of Turbulence

Frontal: Occurs in the frontal zone with warm air lifting and friction between air masses; often near thunderstorms. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.

Convective: Caused by rising hot air pockets from the ground, affecting the rate of descent during approach. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched.

Wake: Forms behind aircraft, especially large ones, creating vortices that can impact following smaller planes.

Mechanical: Occurs when airflow is disrupted by tall structures like mountains or buildings. Hence, pair 3 is not correctly matched.