The Environment Ministry has introduced rules that make it harder for makers of disposable plastic ware to label such products as ’biodegradable’, introducing a stipulation that they must not leave any microplastics behind.

Biodegradable plastic and compostable plastic are projected as the two broad kinds of technological fixes to India’s burgeoning problem of plastic waste pollution.

Biodegradable plastic involves plastic goods being treated before they are sold. When discarded, the material is expected to decompose naturally over time though there are no tests yet to determine if such plastics completely degrade. Compostable plastics, on the other hand, do degrade, but require industrial or large municipal waste management facilities to do so.

Source – https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/n

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Passage 2

Thailand ordered a close watch on livestock on Thursday after an outbreak of anthrax in neighbouring nation, where more than 50 suspected human cases have been reported.
Anthrax, which spreads in soil, commonly infects grazing livestock and wild animals but can infect humans and be deadly in some cases.
Thai Prime Minister has ordered officials to closely monitor the disease and to “protect the public”.
Humans can become infected by breathing in the spores, eating contaminated food or touching agent with broken skin, for instance when handling diseased animals.
A Thai government statement referred to 54 cases reported this month.
“The PM has ordered the public health minister to closely monitor, especially near the borders,” spokesman Chai Watcharong said in the statement.

Source- https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/t

29th MAR 2024

First Name

Passage 1

1. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India has recently introduced amendments to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, of which year, through the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024?

A. 2014

B. 2015

C. 2016

D. 2018

2. In India, ‘extend producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following?

A. The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998

B. The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999

C. The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011

D. The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011

3.How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country. 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

4. The CPCB was constituted in ____ under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.

A. 1971

B. 1974

C. 1978

D. 1982

5. Why is there a great concern about the ‘microbeads’ that are released into environment?

A. They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.

B. They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.

C. They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.

D. They are often found to be used as food adulterants.

Passage 2

6. The country in which the disease has spread is?

A. Myanmar

B. Cambodia

C. Singapore

D. Laos

7. Who is the current PM of Thailand?

A. Prayut Chan-o-Cha

B. Srettha Thavisin

C. Yingluck Shinawatra

D. A Vejjajiva

8. The disease Anthrax is caused by?

A. Bacteria

B. Virus

C. Salmonella

D. Worms

9. Which of this is incorrect?

A. It occurs naturally in both animals and humans in many parts of the world, including Asia, southern Europe, sub-Sahelian Africa and parts of Australia.

B. Anthrax worms survive in the environment by forming spores.

C. People get infected with anthrax when spores get into the body. When spores get inside the body, they can get activated. When they become active, the bacteria can multiply, spread out in the body, produce toxins (poisons), and cause severe illness.

D. Symptoms include black sore, headaches, fever, breathing difficulties, vomiting of blood, diarrhea.

10. Anthrax vaccines are necessary as the infection can cause death within how many days leaving no scope for diagnosis and treatment?

A. 2-3

B. 4-5

C. 6-7

D. 8-10