Assertion (A): India launched its first ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Reason (R): The guide contains specialized thematic sections focusing on pastoralism, fire ecology, and soil carbon sequestration.
a. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c. A is true, but R is false
d. A is false, but R is true
Answer: c
Explanation: The guide was indeed launched at COP17 and maps diverse ONEs, but the article did not mention specialized thematic sections on pastoralism, fire ecology, or soil carbon sequestration.
The guide was indeed launched at COP17 and maps diverse ONEs, but the article did not mention specialized thematic sections on pastoralism, fire ecology, or soil carbon sequestration.
2) COP17 of the UNCCD in Ulaanbaatar focused on:
a. Finalising a legally binding global drought protocol left unresolved at COP16.
b. Negotiating a new convention independent of UNCCD.
c. Drafting a biodiversity framework to replace KMGBF.
d. Establishing a new trade mechanism for desert minerals.
COP17’s priority was to accelerate land restoration pledges and address the unresolved global drought protocol after COP16 in Riyadh.
3) With reference to India’s buffalo meat exports, consider the following statements:
Which of the above are correct?
Explanation: India is the 3rd largest bovine meat exporter (1),
Exports crossed $5 billion in 2025?26 (2).
Export of cattle beef is not permitted (3 incorrect).
4) Eri silk, for which a Centre of Excellence was inaugurated in Meghalaya, is unique because:
a. It is reeled from cocoons after killing the silkworm.
b. It is known as “peace silk” since the moth leaves the cocoon naturally.
c. It is shiny like mulberry silk.
d. It is produced only in Karnataka.
Eri silk is called “peace silk” or “ahimsa silk” as the moth leaves the cocoon naturally; yarn is spun, not reeled.
5) Lithium exploitation in the Sahel region is significant because:
a. It is entirely state?controlled with no insurgent involvement.
b. Armed groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP exploit weak governance to fund insurgency.
c. Sahel has no lithium deposits.
d. It is confined only to Nigeria and excludes Mali.
Armed groups exploit weak regulation and informal mining in Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad, linking lithium extraction to insurgency financing.
