Environment & Ecology is the **most predictable and scoring section** in UPSC Prelims — and **6–8 questions repeat yearly**. Master these 15 Environment facts to guarantee **6+ free marks**.
1 India’s target for Net Zero emissions is 2070 (announced at COP26, reaffirmed at COP28/COP29).
2 COP30 (2025) will be held in Belém, Brazil (Amazon region) — confirmed in November 2024.
3 India has 4 Biodiversity Hotspots: Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma, Sundaland (Andaman & Nicobar).
4 Project Tiger was launched in 1973; India now has 55+ tiger reserves.
5 Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in 1972 — provides legal framework for species protection.
6 Environment (Protection) Act was enacted in 1986 — umbrella legislation for pollution control.
7 National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established in 2010 under the NGT Act, 2010.
8 Ramsar Convention is about wetland conservation; India has 89 Ramsar Sites (as of Dec 2025).
9 Bonn Convention is related to conservation of migratory species.
10 Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar sites under threat; India has 2 sites in it (Loktak Lake, Keoladeo NP).
11 IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) releases assessment reports every 5–7 years; AR7 is upcoming.
12 Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established under UNFCCC to assist developing countries in climate action.
13 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 by 40–50% by 2026 (base year: 2017).
14 Great Indian Bustard is critically endangered; found in Rajasthan & Gujarat; protected under Project Great Indian Bustard.
15 One-Horned Rhinoceros is found in Kaziranga (Assam); population > 4,000 (2024 census).
🎯 How to Use This List
- ✅ Memorize all 15 facts — they appear in some form every year (UPSC 2020–2025).
- ✅ Link to current events: e.g., “COP30 → Belém, Brazil”.
- ✅ Use flashcards for acts, years, and species.
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→ Practice Environment MCQsNote: All facts verified from MoEFCC, UNEP, IPCC, and UPSC Prelims papers (2020–2025).