Important Questions — Environmental Studies (Sem I)

Panjab University – Important Questions | Curated by Jeevansh Manocha, Student at Government College Ludhiana (East)- Click a question to open its page.

Short Notes

1. What is Goal 15? Short note 2. Name two gases that contribute to the Greenhouse effect. Short note 3. The decibel level is the threshold above which noise exposure can cause permanent hearing damage. Short note 4. Significance of composting in solid waste management. Short note 5. Decomposers. Short note 6. Eutrophication. Short note 7. Under the Biodiversity Act, 2002, a __________ is created at the National level to oversee biodiversity-related issues. Short note 8. Name the person and Indian State that were the focal point of the Chipko Movement. Short note 9. Food web. Short note 10. Name two secondary air pollutants. Short note

Section A

1. Define Environmental Science and elaborate on its meaning and scope. Why is Environmental Science considered important in the present-day context? Long answer 2. Discuss the multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Science, highlighting how it integrates knowledge from various fields to address environmental challenges. Long answer 3. What do you understand by the term ‘Natural Resources’? Explain the concept in detail and differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources. Give suitable examples to illustrate your answer. Long answer 4. Define forest resources and explain their significance for the environment and human life. What are the major causes leading to the depletion of forest resources? Discuss various conservation measures that can be adopted to protect and sustainably manage forests. Long answer 5. What are soil resources? Describe their importance in ecological balance and food production. Analyze the main causes of soil degradation and depletion. Suggest effective conservation practices to ensure the long-term fertility and health of soil resources. Long answer 6. What do you understand by land resources? Explain their role in supporting human activities and natural ecosystems. Identify the key factors contributing to the degradation of land resources. Propose measures for their sustainable use and conservation. Long answer 7. Differentiate between the following:
a) Renewable and non-renewable sources.
b) Ex-situ and in-situ conservation. Long answer 8. Explain
a) Define ecological pyramid. Briefly explain the concept of energy flow in an ecological pyramid.
b) Why are biodiversity hotspots important for conservation? Give three reasons.
c) Discuss the different levels of organization in an ecosystem. Long answer

Section B

1. Define environmental pollution and explain its overall concept. Identify and describe the various sources and types of environmental pollution. What are the key causes contributing to environmental pollution? Long answer 2. Discuss the major consequences of pollution on human health, biodiversity, and climate. Finally, suggest suitable control measures and strategies to combat different types of pollution. Long answer 3. What is environmental pollution? Discuss its concept, major sources, and different types. Explain the causes and consequences of environmental pollution on human health and ecosystems. Also, suggest effective control measures to mitigate its impact. Long answer 4. Define air pollution. What are the main causes of air pollution in urban and rural areas? Analyze its consequences on the environment, human health, and the climate. What steps can be taken to control and reduce air pollution effectively? Long answer 5. What is water pollution? Identify the major causes of water pollution and explain how it affects aquatic life and human communities. Discuss the consequences of contaminated water on health and the environment, and suggest strategies for prevention and control. Long answer 6. What is climate change? Explain the concept in detail. Discuss the major natural and human-induced causes of climate change. Highlight the significant environmental, economic, and social consequences of climate change at both global and local levels. Long answer 7. What is the greenhouse effect? Explain its role in maintaining Earth’s temperature and how human activities have intensified it. Long answer 8. Define global warming. Discuss its major causes and potential impacts on the environment and human life. Long answer 9. What is ozone depletion? What are its primary causes and what consequences does it pose for life on Earth? Long answer 10. What is solid waste management? Explain the concept and identify the major causes of solid waste generation, particularly in urban and industrial areas. Long answer 11. Discuss the consequences and harmful effects of improper solid waste disposal on health and the environment. Long answer 12. What measures can be adopted to effectively manage and control solid waste in both urban and industrial contexts? Long answer 13. Explain
a. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
b. Montreal Protocol and Kyoto Protocol
c. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Long answer 14. Briefly discuss the following:
a. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
b. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 Long answer