India Yearbook_ How to Prepare Environment Biodiversity Topic

7/15/2014 India Yearbook: How to prepare Environment Biodiversity topic?

http://mrunal.org/2014/03/yearbook-india-2014-environment-biodiversity-forest-climate-change-prepare-iyb-12th-five-year-plan-sample-mcqs.html 1/23

[Yearbook] India 2014: Environment, Biodiversity, Forest, climate change: how to prepare from

IYB and 12th Five year plan, with sample MCQs

CSAT

1. Prologue

2. Approaching Environment

Biodiversity

3. Ch1: Flora and Fauna

4. Ch12: Environment

1. What to Ignore

2. [High priority]: Organizations: main

3. [High priority]: Policies/Schemes/Projects

4. [High priority]: Theory

5. [Low priority] Miscellaneous organizations

6. [Low priority] International treaties/Conventions

5. 12th FYP plan: Ch4 and Ch7

1. Vol1.Ch4: Sustainable Development

2. Vol1: Ch 7 Environment, Forestry and Wildlife

6. Mock MCQs: IYB Ch1 & 30

7. Mock MCQs: IYB Ch12, 12th FYP ch4 and 7

8. [FAQ] Do I need to buy new edition IF I already have 2013?

Prologue

In the last article, we saw how to handle Ch1 and Ch30 ofIndia 2014 || Bharat 2014 (+sample

MCQs)

In this article, we see how to handle environment related segment from: IYB (Ch1, Ch8) and

12th FYP (ch4, Ch7).

Approaching Environment Biodiversity

days

40 hrs

11 mins

40 sec.

34

What's New? ?



Total four stages

Stage

INCERT, NIOS and Mrunal.org/ENB

Stage

II

India Yearbook ch1, 12, 23 [also ch11 on energy- but

well see that in next article]

12th FYP ch4 (Sustainable Development), ch7

(environment)

stage

III

follow-up from books/net for whatever GA/GK/theory is

left e.g. list of parks sanctuaries etc.

Stage

IV

Continuous notes making from newspapers, magazines.

(This stage must be started ASAP, even if other stages

havent started.)

Three prerequisites before touching IYB for Environment

1. When it comes to international treaties/kyoto/Nagoya etc. the India Yearbook and 12th FYP only

give bolbachchan type coverage= not much useful in MCQs (or even for recalling points in

mains). So first read the treaties and summits given on Mrunal.org/ENB

2. NIOS material for Environment and Biodiversity. Religiously mug it up for prelims.

3. NCERT following chapters related to Environment Biodiversity (EnB). [yes you need to study

BOTH NCERT and NIOS for UPSC prelims, as far as EnB topic is concerned]

Both NCERT and NIOS, free download available atMrunal.org/download



CLASS SUBJECT NCERT CHAPTERS related to EnB

6 geography 8

7geo. 1 to 6

science 7, 16 to 18

8geo. 8

sci. 7 and 18

9geo 5

science 14

10Geo. 2

sci. 14 to 16

11

geo(Physical) 15 and 16

geo (India) 4 and 5

economy 9 (Sustainable development)

12Biology 13 to 16

chemistry 14

Assuming that youre done with pre-requisite #1, 2 and 3welcome back.

Overall Chapter 12 (Environment) and 23 (planning-subtopic Environment) give following details

1. Various organizations, bodies

2. List of policies and laws.

3. Terms/ schemes.

Although in all three things, youll have to do Followup by digging google. Because the data given in

the book alone is not sufficient to handle MCQ/Mains. But you need to read the book, to prepare the

base.

Ch1: Flora and Fauna

topic what to focus

Climate/Seasons

(page 4)

Four official seasons

Six traditional seasons

Two seasonal winds



Flora Page

5(English) ; Page

4(Hindi)

Total number of plant species: 46,000

Vascular flora:15,000

8 distinct florist regions: what trees are

found in which region?

Definition of Ethno-botanical study-MCQ

Red Data book-Published by BSI.

Fauna (page6)

Ascending Descending order of

Amphebia, Mammalia, Reptilia etc.

Salt water crocodile is found in __?

Project crocodile __(Important for

chronological order of various projects)

This section lists names of many wild life

species-You need to find out the places

where they are found.

After this census related information starts. Ignore it for the moment we will get back to it during

education, Health care, Welfare related chapters.

Mock MCQs related to this chapter, are given in the appendix of this article.

Ch12: Environment

What to Ignore

you may ignore following topics, because

1. bolbachchan paragraphs, useless junk for MCQ/descriptive.

2. outdated data from 2012s era- lot new developments have taken place

ch. topic English Hindi

12 Milestone achievement 291 261

12 Environment research 297 267

12 NNRMS 297 267

12 Education and awareness 298268-

69

12 National museum 298 269



12 Wildlife education and training 299 269

12 Centre of excellence 299 269

12Sustainable development and international

cooperation*302 272

12 Climate change 302-03 273

*It deals with RIO+20, but same thing explains in detail inMrunal.org/ENB

[High priority]: Organizations: main


12 Ministry of environment and forest 285 255

12 National biodiversity authority NBA 288 258

12 National tiger conservation authority 290 260

12 Wildlife crime control bureau- statutory 290 261

12 Central pollution control board- CPCB 292 263

12 Central wetlands regulatory authority 295 265

12

Eco-development forces(IMP- They are

under defence ministry and not under

environment ministry)

296 267

12 National green tribunal* 301 272

12National environment assessment and

monitory authority- NEAMA301 272

23 National Ganga river basin authority 682 699

*better dig net for more.

[High priority]: Policies/Schemes/Projects

12 Forest management scheme 289 260

12Project tiger, project elephant (insufficient info

given, dig NET for more)291 261

12 Environment impact assessment- EIA, its 291- 262



amendment 92

12 Policy for abatement of pollution- 1992 292 262

12 National environment policy- 2006 292 262

12 E-waste rules- 2011 293 264

12 National river conservation plan 294 264

12 National wetlands conservation program 295 265

12 Biomedical waste management 294 264

12 National afforestation program 296 266

12Awards and fellowships- only names and

features

299-

300

270-

71

12 ENVIS- web portal 300 271

23 National costal management program 682 700

23 Biodiversity hotspots 684 702

23National action plan for climate change-

NAPCC (more details given in 12th FYP)685

702-

03

23 Green India mission 685 703

[High priority]: Theory

12 Mangroves 286 257

12 Coral reef- Four major areas 287 257

12 Clean technology 294 264

12 Ozone layer protection 303 273-74

for more on the theory, refer to NIOS and NCERTs.

Laws

12 Forest conservation Act 289 259

12 Environment protection Act 1986 * - -

12 National green tribunal act 2010 *



*Dig net

[Low priority] Miscellaneous organizations

as the name suggests- theyre Miscellaneous, so dont spent lot of time in them- even if an MCQ is

asked, the cost:benefit is bad.


12 Botanical survey of India 285 255

12 Zoological survey of India 286 256

12 Forest survey of India 286 256

12 Wildlife institute of India- WII 290 260

12 Central zoo authority 291 261

12 Animal welfare board 291 262

12 National river conservation directorate 294 264

12National afforestation and eco-

development board296 266

12 GB pant institute 297 268

12Four institutes given under forestry

research298 268

[Low priority] International treaties/Conventions

Topic is high priority, but from the given books given chapter, its low priority because data is

outdated, and very brief overview given.


12 Biosphere reserve 287 257

12Biodiversity conservation- its two

components: Biodiversity and bio-safety287 257

12 Convention on biodiversity CBD* 288 258

12 Cartagena biosafety protocol 289 259



12 Ramsar convention 295 266

*go through Mrunal.org/ENB

And for remaining conventions, dig NET.

12th FYP plan: Ch4 and Ch7

So far youre done with Environment chapter of IYB. Now time to shift to 12th Five year plan (FYP).

To download the free PDFs of 12th FYP (English | Hindi), CLICK ME

Vol1.Ch4: Sustainable Development

Relevance Topic to focusPDF

page#

MCQ/fodder4.1 Definition of sustainable Development

and who gave it?146

fodder figure 4.1 147

fodder 4.6 definition of Eco-efficiency 147

MCQ4.9 Green tax- meaning, utility and Indian

example

147-

48

fodder4.10 why diesel-fertilizer subsidies are

bad148

fund 4.12 National clean energy fund 148

fund 4.13 Compensatory afforestation fund 148

fodder 4.15 benefit of PAT and REC 149

fodder4.16 list of non-monetary incentives to

protect environment149

fodder 4.22 Eco Industrial hub 150

MCQ 4.26 coastal regulation zone classification 151

MCQ

4.27 fact that Swaminathan Committee is

associated with coastal zone

Management

151

MCQ 4.29 Ecomark -label (last two sentences) 151



fodder box 4.1: focus areas in 12th FYP 152

MCQ4.35: why supercritical powerplants are

better than sub-critical152

fodder

box 4.2: that research in advanced coal

technology = better cost:Benefit than soal

energy

153

MCQ4.37: whats the benefit of coal

gasification?153

MCQ4.39: which states have highest potential

in wind energy?153

fodder4.41: the need for national wind energy

mission?154

MCQ4.42: which states have off-shore wind

potential?154

MCQ4.44: benefit of solar photovoltaic tech vs

solar thermal tech155

fodder 4.47 to 4.52: how to reform solar mission? 155

MCQ 4.52: crystalline silicon vs thin film system155-

56

MCQ

4.68: three types of cements produced in

India (+ that BIS permits them to add fly

ash)

158

MCQ

Table 4.2: which sectors consume high

amount of energy? ascending descending

order

160

MCQ/fodderTable 4.3 the pro-cons of carbon tax vs.

cap-n-trade schemes162

MCQ

4.93: what are the negative consequences

when freight is transported through trucks

rather than via railways

164

fodder4.94 to 96: how to improve the efficiency

of rail/road/water transport

164-

65

4.99: what are the benefits of using public



fodder transport? (five points) 166

fodder

4.99 (from page 167) + 4.100 + 4.101:

what are the polity challenges that

impede reforms in urban transport?

167

MCQ 4.102: BEE energy labelling program 167

MCQ 4.105: Bachat lamp Yojana-features 168

MCQ 4.109: SEEP program 168

MCQfig.4.6: electricity consumption sector wise

ascending-descending169

fodder 4.118: green building code related points 170

MCQ4.121: green building rating system (fact

that its by IGBC and not BEE/government)170

MCQ/fodder 4.128: national mission for green India 172

fodderAnnex.4.2 how/why Low carbon strategy

helps in inclusive growth?

175-

76

This finishes ch4 of 12th FYP. Dig following topics through pib/net.

1. national environment policy

2. national policy for farmer

3. national electricity policy

4. integrated energy policy

5. Indian alpine initiative

6. vehicle labelling scheme

so far we are done with

IYB

ch1 land people

ch30 state UT and

ch12 Environment

12th FYP ch4 sustainable development.

moving on:



Vol1: Ch 7 Environment, Forestry and Wildlife

Relevance Topic to FocusPDF

page#

MCQ/fodder7.4 (Polity) why environment needs to be

included in concurrent list237

fodder 7.13: polity initiative taken in 11th FYP 239

MCQ

table 7.1 list of schemes which of them are

Central schemes (CS), and which one as

centrally sponsored schemes (CSS)

240

MCQbox 7.3: Moniterable Targets under

12th FYP243

Fodder box 7.4: goals of 12th FYP 244

org

7.31:National environment and forestry

council (NEFC). and 7.32: similar for

States.

245

org7.33 (1)National environment protection

authority (NEPA)245

fodderfigure 7.3 diagram to memorize fodder

points246

fodder7.35: how to make Environment protection

act effective?247

org 7.38:NEAMA authority 247

fund7.40: National environment restoration

fund247

E-govIBIS, IBIN, and 7.43: National information

grid248

org 7.48: central board of forestry 249

e-gov 7.48: Using GIS for forest rights act 249

fund 7.51: Green fund 249

fodder 7.53: need for reforms in Project elephant 249



MCQ figure 7.4 for the schemes under 12thFYP 250

e-gov7.65: NEMP; 7.66 forestry information

system

251-

52

fodder7.67: how to protect against invasive

species252

MCQ7.70: Environment performance index

(And its table 7.2)253

MCQ7.73: green India mission (although mostly

cutpaste from IYB)254

fodder 7.75: climate change 255

fodder7.82: 12th FYPs three pronged strategy

for climate change257

MCQ7.83: share of emission (ascending

descending)257

MCQ7.84: chief contributors of agro-GHG

emission

257-

58

fodder 7.85: national water mission 258

MCQ/fodder7.95 & 96: why climate change increases

our vulnerability to diseases?

259-

60

MCQ/fodder

7.103 to 7111: National action plan on

climate change (you got the overview from

IYB, here you get detailed info.)

260-

62

fodder

7.113: how to make NAPCC more

effective? (and followup on BOX 7.7 for

suggested reorganization)

262

Dig Net/PIB/prsindia for:

1. National ambient air quality standards (NAAQs)

2. polysaturated fatty acids in Marine organism

3. invasive species

1. protection of plant varieties and farmers rights

2. forest rights act

3. seeds amendment bill



4. biotech regulatory authority bill

(Because theyre mentioned in FYP, but not sufficient coverage for MCQ/mains)

This concludes core preparation of Environment related topics. (Allied topics/chapters- energy,

water, sci-tech etc. well see in future articles.)

Mock MCQs: IYB Ch1 & 30

Q1. As per the IMD classification, which of the following are the official seasons of India?

1. Winter: December to February

2. Pre Monsoon: April to June

3. Post monsoon: October to December

Answer choices

1. only 1

2. only 1 and 2

3. only 1 and 3

4. only 2 and 3

Q2. Match the following seasons

1. early autumn

2. Late autumn

3. winter

4. spring

1. Sarada

2. Hemanta

3. Sisira

4. vasanta

Answer choices

code I II III IV

a 4 3 2 1

b 1 3 2 4

c 1 2 3 4

d 2 1 3 4

Q3. Consider the following trees: silver fir, silver birch, juniper, blue pine.

Which of them are found in the Western Himalayas?



1. all except silver fir

2. all except silver birch

3. all except juniper

4. all of them.

Q4. Arrange the following fauna in ascending order, according to the variety of species found in

India.

1. Mammals

2. Reptiles

3. Amphibians

4. Aves

Correct ascending order is:

1. 1234

2. 4321

3. 3124

4. 1324

Q5. Consider following statements about Thamin deer?

1. It is an endangered species as per IUCN classification.

2. It is an endemic species of Western Ghats.

3. It is also known as Dancing deer because of its peculiar style of walking

Find correct statement(s)

1. only 1 and 2

2. only 2 and 3

3. only 1 and 3

4. All three correct.

Q6. Consider following sanctuaries: Ichagarh, Tenughat and Chandrapura. Which of the following

are correct statements about them?

1. all of them are bird sanctuaries

2. all of them are located in Jharkhand

3. Both A and B

4. Neither A nor B

Q7. In which of the following places, can we find Mangrove forest, swamp forest, moist-deciduous

forest and tropical wet-evergreen forest?

1. Tamilandu



2. West Bengal

3. Andra Pradesh

4. Andaman and Nicobar islands

Q8. Which of the following statements are correct about Andaman-Nicobar islands?

1. Their eastern coast has fringing type of coral reefs while western coast has barrier type of coral

reefs.

2. Padauk and Gurjan- two endemic species of Mangroves, are found only in Nicobar group of

islands but not in Andaman group of islands.

3. both A and B

4. Neither A nor B.

Q9. Which of the following statements are correct about Andaman Nicobar?

1. It receives rainfall from South East Monsoon but not from North East monsoon.

2. These islands have Mangrove forest but no littoral forest.

3. Both A and B

4. Neither A nor B

Q10. Correct statements about Argali Sheep

1. Their natural habitat is alpine grasslands.

2. Theyre found in Khangchengzonga National Park of Sikkim.

3. Theyre poached mainly for horns, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

4. Theyve became extinct in China and Mongolia.

Answer choices

1. only 1 and 2

2. only 1, 2 and 3

3. only 1, 2 and 4

4. only 3 and 4

Q11. Find correct statements

1. Black Necked Crane is a native of Siberia, but migrates to Nal-sarovar of Gujarat during Winter

2. India has the largest population of snow leopards in the world.

3. Military activity is one of the main causes for declining population of snow leopards in the world.

Correct statements

1. only 1 and 2

2. only 2 and 3

3. only 1



4. only 3

Correct answers

1. Correct seasons as per IMD= only 2 and 3. Because for Winter- months are given wrong

2. Early autumn-Sarada, Late-Hementa, Winter-sisira, Spring-Vasanta

3. all of them found in Western Himalaya

4. Amphi



4. Andaman-Nicobar

Choice

1. all except Mannar

2. all except Kutch

3. all except Lakshadweep

4. All of them

Q3. Correct chronological order

1. National forest policy

2. National biodiversity authority

3. National environment policy

4. National Green Tribunal

Answer choices

1. 4321

2. 1324

3. 2413

4. 1234

Q4. Which of the following is a statutory body?

1. National biodiversity authority

2. Wildlife crime control bureau

3. both A and B

4. Neither A nor B

Q5. (A) Clean technology offer significant cost advantage to the producer. (R) Clean technologies

are less intensive on the use of raw material and energy

1. Both correct and R explains A

2. Both correct but R doesnt explain A

3. A right but R wrong

4. R right but A wrong.

Q6. Consider following statements about Eco-development forces

1. This force consists of volunteers from high schools and colleges

2. This force is setup by respective state governments, using the funding provided by MoEF

3. both A and B

4. Neither A nor B



Q7. What is the utility of ENVIS portal?

1. Its a vigilance portal for gathering information related to economic offenses

2. Its an education portal for imparting English language knowledge to the women and children in

rural areas

3. Its a web portal for environment related information collection storage and processing.

4. None of Above

Q8. Ultra violate radiation can cause

1. Skin Cancer

2. Eye Cataract

3. Suppress bodys immune system

4. Decrease crop yield

Answer choices

1. All except #4

2. Only 1, 2

3. Only 1 and 3

4. All of them

Q9. Which of the following is/are Ozone depleting substances

1. Halon

2. Methyl chloroform

3. Methyl bromide

Answer choices

1. only 1

2. Only 1 and 2

3. Only 1 and 3

4. All of them

Q10. Correct statements about Coastal zone regulations.

1. Category 1 deals with islands.

2. Category 4 lists the ecological sensitive areas of India

3. Construction activities are permitted in category 2 and 3

Answer choice

1. only 1

2. Only 2



3. Only 3

4. All of them

Q11. Consider following statements about Super-critical technology in coal power plants?

1. It produces higher amount of electricity per kg of coal, compared to sub-critical technology.

2. Its R&D is still in nascent stage and practical application is extremely expensive than sub-

critical technology

3. Both A and B

4. neither A nor B

Q12. What are the potential applications of Coal gasification technology?

1. exploitation of deep coal deposits that cannot be mined using conventional means

2. In-situ capture of carbon

3. Both A and B

4. Neither A nor B

Q13. Correct statements

1. India produces only two varieties of Cement: Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) and Ordinary

Portland Cement.

2. Given the environmental concerns, MoEF has banned cement companies from mixing fly ash

into Portland Pozzolana Cement

3. Both A and B

4. Neither A nor B

Q14. Consider following statements about carbon tax?

1. it doesnt provide cost certainty to the manufacturer and consumers

2. there is potential chance of manipulation and evasion

3. Coal cess is an example of carbon tax

Answer choices

1. Only 1 and 2

2. Only 1 and 3

3. only 2 and 3

4. only 3

Q15. In India, if lower amount of freight is transported through railways than through trucks, what will

be its consequences on the economy?

1. fiscal deficit will increase

2. adverse balance of payment



3. both A and B

4. Neither A nor B

Q16. find Wrong statements

1. Through Bachat lamp Yojana, government sells CFL lamps to households at the same price as

tubelights

2. LED lamps are more energy efficient than CFL lamps but less than tubelights.

3. both A and B

4. Neither A nor B

Q17. (A) In India, only the Parliament can amend the environmental laws. (R) Environment is a

residual subject in Constitution of India.

1. Both correct and R explains A

2. Both correct but R doesnt explain A

3. A right but R wrong

4. R right but A wrong.

Q18. 12th Five year plan aims to

1. Clean all the the critically polluted rivers by 2020

2. Train veterinary professionals to treat wildlife.

3. Setup an autonomous body named National Environment Assessment and Monitoring

Authority (NEAMA) for EIA, coastal zone regulations and marine fisheries regulations.

4. All of above

Q19. correct match

1. National environment restoration fund: proceeds of the coal cess

2. National clean energy fund: donations and fees collected from private sector for accessing

specified natural resources.

3. Green Fund: proceeds from tax collected on the sale of forest produce.

4. none of above.

Q20. Agriculture contributes significant amount of GHG emission in India. Which among the

following is/are responsible for it?

1. Methane from Rice paddies

2. fermentation in ruminant animals

3. Nitrous oxides from and fertilisers.

choice

1. Only 1 and 2



2. Only 1 and 3

3. only 2 and 3

4. all of them

Correct Answers

1. D. As per IYB page 287

1. They can survive Anaerobic soil=#1 wrong

2. Commensalism= only one party benefits without damaging other. Symbiosis=both benefit.

Mangrove = Symbiosis link between Marine vs Terrestrial=> #2 wrong

3. #3 is right.

2. D. All of them major coral reef areas

3. D. forest-88, NBA-03,environment-06, NGT-10

4. C. both are statutory

5. A

6. D. both wrong. Ref page 296

7. C

8. D

9. D. All of them. Ref page 303

10. C. only 3

11. A only first statement right

12. C both right

13. D both wrong

14. only 3 (ref. table 4.3 of 12th FYP)

15. C. Both of them right (ref point 4.93 in 12th FYP)

16. C. both wrong. (same price as CFL, and not tubelights)

17. A.

18. D all of them

19. all wrong

20. D. all of them

[FAQ] Do I need to buy new edition IF I already have 2013?

A question asked by many readers, I already have IYB 2013, do I need to buy 2014s edition?

Answer is NO. (Observe the change list, then I elaborate)

Changes in Ch1. Land and people

First six pages are almost the same.

Census: data is updated.



Changes in Ch12. Environment

1. Compressed forest resource and survey

2. Compressed environment conservation

3. Compressed CBD, Biological diversity act

4. Removed genetic engineering approval committee

5. Removed COP-MOP-5, AICOPTAX

6. Removed forest policy

7. Compressed project tiger and project elephant

8. Removed regulatory acts under animal welfare

9. Compressed EIA

10. Compressed CPCB

11. Compressed E-waste management

12. Removed chemical safety

13. Compressed Bio-medical waste management

14. Compressed national river conservation directorate

15. Compressed ramsar convention national wetland conservation program

16. Added central wetland regulatory authority

17. Compressed Environmental research and NNRMS from two pages to just two paragraphs

18. Removed statistical cell and NGO cell

19. Compressed Climate change and removed COP-16

20. Removed- IPCC , INCCA, UK Collaboration and many other miscellaneous topics

Changes in Ch30. State and UT

Updated population data as per Census 2011

Updated names of governor, CM, chief Secretary, + a few state schemes here and there. (It

also lists Kejriwal as Delhi PM- meaning pretty latest printed book.)

but other than that, Most of the static content is identical to the previous edition.

[ ^Im yet to compare remaining chapters in detail. But they also run on same pattern: lot of data

either compressed or removed.]

Now coming back to the question

I already have 2013 edition of India Yearbook, so, do I need to buy 2014s edition?

My answer/advice/opinion is NO because:

1. They did Compress a lot of topics, eliminated many outdated topics, but havent updated the

topics much.

2. The way things are moving under UPSCs Backbreaking era, youll have to dig net, newspaper

and magazines- for almost every term, scheme, policy, act, bill, irrespective of how up-to-date



your IYB is. Therefore, IYBs main use is base material, and as the base material- it hasnt

updated much between 2013 vs 2014s edition.

3. Census data updated- but you can easily get it from net. Those ten new pages alone dont

justify the need for dishing out another 250/- rupees.

4. In almost all chapters, the IR/HRD related data is still from 2012s era one and same. Even in

above COP/UNFCC/Kyoto/RIO+20 etc. summits.

5. Whatever few things are newly added, you can dig through PIB/Net (as per the list/tables given

in above article).

6. I believe you already have used highlighter/ballpen/margin-notes on the 2013s edition for quick

reading/revision. So If you get new 2014s edition again= youll have to repeat the same

exercise on those 1000+ pages again = not worth the cost:benefit. (because data hardly new-

only page numbers changed.)

In short, if you already have IYB-2013 then not much point in getting IYB-2014: your 250-350 rupees

are better spent buying in some other books or stationary.

visit Mrunal.org/yearbook For more on Yearbook related topics/article

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India Yearbook_ How to Prepare Environment Biodiversity Topic