MCQs on India’s Marine Ecosystems: Coastal and Offshore Resources
- Which of the following is the longest coastline in India?
- A) Tamil Nadu
- B) Andhra Pradesh
- C) Gujarat
- D) Maharashtra
Answer: C) Gujarat
- What percentage of India’s total geographical area is covered by the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?
- A) 10%
- B) 18%
- C) 27%
- D) 40%
Answer: C) 27%
- The Sundarbans mangrove forest is primarily located in which Indian state?
- A) Maharashtra
- B) West Bengal
- C) Odisha
- D) Kerala
Answer: B) West Bengal
- Which marine ecosystem is known for its rich biodiversity and is often referred to as the “rainforest of the sea”?
- A) Coral reefs
- B) Mangroves
- C) Seagrass beds
- D) Tidal wetlands
Answer: A) Coral reefs
- Which of the following is a major threat to India’s coastal and marine ecosystems?
- A) Overfishing
- B) Climate change
- C) Pollution
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
- What is the primary purpose of India’s National Policy on Marine Fisheries?
- A) To promote tourism
- B) To protect marine biodiversity
- C) To increase fish production
- D) To reduce marine pollution
Answer: C) To increase fish production
- Which of the following is a significant feature of the Arabian Sea?
- A) It is the world’s largest sea
- B) It is characterized by high biodiversity
- C) It has no islands
- D) It is landlocked
Answer: B) It is characterized by high biodiversity
- Which of the following coastal states has a major fishing industry based on shrimp aquaculture?
- A) Tamil Nadu
- B) Gujarat
- C) Kerala
- D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: D) Andhra Pradesh
- Which organization is responsible for monitoring the health of marine ecosystems in India?
- A) ISRO
- B) ICAR
- C) CMFRI
- D) NIO
Answer: C) CMFRI (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute)
- Which of the following is the largest coral reef system in India?
- A) Lakshadweep Coral Reefs
- B) Gulf of Mannar Coral Reefs
- C) Andaman and Nicobar Islands Coral Reefs
- D) Sundarbans Mangrove Forest
Answer: A) Lakshadweep Coral Reefs
- The phenomenon of sea-level rise is primarily caused by which of the following?
- A) Erosion
- B) Melting ice caps and thermal expansion
- C) Tectonic activity
- D) Sedimentation
Answer: B) Melting ice caps and thermal expansion
- What is the primary function of mangroves in coastal ecosystems?
- A) Fish breeding
- B) Shoreline stabilization
- C) Carbon storage
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
- Which Indian state has been most affected by coastal erosion?
- A) Goa
- B) Kerala
- C) Tamil Nadu
- D) Odisha
Answer: D) Odisha
- What is the primary source of livelihood for coastal communities in India?
- A) Agriculture
- B) Fishing
- C) Tourism
- D) Forestry
Answer: B) Fishing
- Which of the following pollutants is a significant threat to marine ecosystems?
- A) Plastic waste
- B) Heavy metals
- C) Oil spills
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
- Which organization in India is responsible for marine research and development?
- A) DRDO
- B) NIO
- C) ISRO
- D) ICMR
Answer: B) NIO (National Institute of Oceanography)
- Which of the following species is considered endangered due to overfishing in Indian waters?
- A) Hilsa
- B) Catla
- C) Bluefin tuna
- D) Rohu
Answer: C) Bluefin tuna
- The Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in India aims to:
- A) Increase tourism
- B) Promote industrialization
- C) Balance ecological, socio-economic, and cultural values
- D) Reduce fish catches
Answer: C) Balance ecological, socio-economic, and cultural values
- Which coastal city in India is known for its thriving seafood market?
- A) Mumbai
- B) Chennai
- C) Kochi
- D) Visakhapatnam
Answer: C) Kochi
- Which type of fishing involves catching fish near the surface of the water?
- A) Deep-sea fishing
- B) Trawling
- C) Pelagic fishing
- D) Demersal fishing
Answer: C) Pelagic fishing
- Which of the following marine resources is crucial for India’s pharmaceutical industry?
- A) Seaweed
- B) Coral
- C) Fish
- D) Shells
Answer: A) Seaweed
- The term “overfishing” refers to:
- A) Catching too many fish in a short period
- B) Catching fish without a license
- C) Catching fish during their breeding season
- D) Catching fish using harmful methods
Answer: A) Catching too many fish in a short period
- Which of the following coastal areas is famous for its backwaters?
- A) Kerala
- B) Odisha
- C) Gujarat
- D) Maharashtra
Answer: A) Kerala
- The fishing season along the Indian coast is primarily affected by:
- A) Rainfall patterns
- B) Tidal cycles
- C) Monsoon winds
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
- Which Indian state is known for its traditional fishing techniques using catamarans?
- A) Goa
- B) Kerala
- C) Tamil Nadu
- D) West Bengal
Answer: B) Kerala
- Which international agreement aims to conserve marine biodiversity in the high seas?
- A) Kyoto Protocol
- B) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- C) Paris Agreement
- D) Ramsar Convention
Answer: B) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- What is the primary threat to coral reefs in India?
- A) Natural disasters
- B) Climate change and ocean acidification
- C) Overfishing
- D) Pollution
Answer: B) Climate change and ocean acidification
- Which of the following methods is NOT considered sustainable in marine fishing?
- A) Hook and line fishing
- B) Trawling
- C) Longlining
- D) Gill netting
Answer: B) Trawling
- The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is located between which two Indian states?
- A) Tamil Nadu and Kerala
- B) Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
- C) Maharashtra and Gujarat
- D) Goa and Karnataka
Answer: A) Tamil Nadu and Kerala
- Which of the following is NOT a function of mangroves in coastal ecosystems?
- A) Providing habitat for marine species
- B) Stabilizing shorelines
- C) Absorbing carbon dioxide
- D) Supporting desert ecosystems
Answer: D) Supporting desert ecosystems
These MCQs cover various aspects of India’s marine ecosystems, including their geography, resources, biodiversity, and challenges, which can be beneficial for Civil Services Examination preparation.
