Explanation: UP has multiple Ramsar sites, including Haiderpur, Parvati Arga, and Okhla, which support rich biodiversity and migratory birds. These wetlands are crucial for groundwater recharge and climate regulation. Protection under Ramsar ensures international support.

Explanation: Located in the Bundelkhand region, Banda faces recurring droughts due to erratic rainfall and poor water conservation. Traditional tanks have dried up, worsening the agrarian crisis. Water harvesting efforts are now being revived.

Explanation: UP experiences hot summers, cold winters, and moderate to high monsoon rains, characteristic of a humid subtropical climate. This variation supports diverse agricultural activities. However, it also makes the state vulnerable to both floods and droughts.

Explanation: As population pressure increases, forest lands are converted into farmland and settlements in the Terai region. This leads to habitat fragmentation and loss of biodiversity. Encroachments also threaten protected areas.

Explanation: Districts like Ballia, Ghazipur, and Varanasi suffer from arsenic in groundwater due to natural geogenic processes. Long-term consumption leads to skin lesions and cancer. Government schemes now aim to provide piped surface water.

Explanation: 'Namami Gange' is a flagship initiative by the central government with significant implementation in UP, where the Ganga flows for 1,140 km. It aims to reduce pollution, promote riverfront development, and encourage public participation.

Explanation: Dudhwa National Park, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, and Katarniaghat form a contiguous habitat in the Terai region and are crucial for tiger conservation. Together, they form the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger. They also host swamp deer and elephants.

Explanation: High vehicular density, construction dust, and coal-based industries significantly contribute to poor air quality in UP’s major cities. Kanpur often ranks among the world’s most polluted cities in global indices. Lack of public transport worsens the issue.

Explanation: Despite being a lifeline for Lucknow, the Gomti River is highly polluted due to untreated sewage and industrial effluents. CPCB lists it among the most polluted stretches in India. Its ecological health has deteriorated significantly in recent decades.

Explanation: TAL includes forest areas and protected reserves in UP, Bihar, and Uttarakhand. It focuses on connectivity for elephants and tigers across fragmented habitats. It is supported by WWF and government agencies for corridor protection and community-based conservation.

Explanation: Sugarcane requires massive water input, and the associated mills further consume and pollute water. In regions like Western UP, groundwater over-extraction is alarming. Sustainable farming techniques and drip irrigation are being promoted.

Explanation: Bijnor was awarded under the Swachh Survekshan for decentralized waste management and segregation practices. It focused on door-to-door collection and composting. Citizen participation and private partnerships were key to its success.

Explanation: The Ken-Betwa link aims to transfer surplus water from MP to water-scarce Bundelkhand areas in UP. But it involves submergence of forest and displacement in Panna Tiger Reserve. Ecologists warn of biodiversity loss and human displacement.

Explanation: This central act applies to UP and restricts the de-reservation or use of forest land for non-forest purposes without approval. It ensures sustainable forest use and compensatory afforestation. The act is enforced by both state and central authorities.

Explanation: In western UP, post-harvest rice stubble is often burned to clear fields for wheat sowing. This contributes significantly to winter air pollution, especially in the NCR. The government promotes happy seeders and bio-decomposers as alternatives.

Explanation: The Amrit Sarovar initiative aims to construct or revive over 75,000 water bodies to mark 75 years of independence. In UP, it aligns with rural water conservation and MGNREGA work. It improves groundwater recharge and supports biodiversity.

Explanation: Declared the National Aquatic Animal, the Ganges Dolphin is a keystone species for river ecosystems. Found in rivers like Ganga and Ghaghara, its population is under threat due to pollution, damming, and fishing. Uttar Pradesh has dolphin sanctuaries to protect them.

Terai forests are rich in sal, teak, and bamboo, with a high water table and biodiversity. These moist deciduous forests support large mammals like tigers and elephants. Conservation is challenged by encroachment and illegal logging

Explanation: The 594 km Ganga Expressway is expected to impact wetlands, wildlife corridors, and prime agricultural areas. Environmentalists have warned about groundwater depletion and habitat fragmentation. Public hearings and EIA compliance are crucial steps.

Explanation: Originating in the Himalayas, the Ghaghara River floods annually during the monsoon and glacial melt, especially affecting districts like Barabanki and Bahraich. The government is investing in embankments and early warning systems to mitigate disasters.

Explanation: The UPPCB is tasked with enforcing environmental laws related to air and water quality, industrial effluents, and noise pollution. It issues consents to operate and monitors emissions. The board plays a regulatory as well as advisory role.

Explanation: Gorakhpur has integrated climate-resilient infrastructure under the Smart Cities Mission. The city focuses on urban wetlands, green mobility, and flood-resistant planning. Its work is also supported by global climate resilience networks.

Explanation: Under the net metering policy, consumers with rooftop solar setups in UP can send surplus power back to the grid and receive credits. This incentivizes green energy and reduces load on the conventional power supply. It's a key strategy in promoting renewable adoption.

Explanation: Kanpur’s leather tanneries discharge chromium and other pollutants into the Ganga, severely degrading water quality. Despite Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), untreated waste often leaks into the river. This has harmed aquatic life and human health downstream.

Explanation: The Kachhua Sanctuary in Varanasi is dedicated to the conservation of turtles that help clean the Ganga by feeding on organic waste. It plays a critical role in the Ganga Action Plan. However, recent infrastructure developments have threatened its continuity.

Explanation: Jhansi and nearby areas in Bundelkhand experience acute soil erosion due to deforestation, poor rainfall, and overgrazing. Loss of topsoil reduces fertility and worsens drought. Watershed development and afforestation projects are key remedies being applied.

Explanation: The Vindhya Range harbors dry deciduous forests, medicinal plants, and many endemic species. It also forms a watershed for rivers like Son and Tons. Overgrazing and mining have degraded parts of this sensitive zone.

Explanation: Ghaziabad often ranks among the most polluted cities globally due to vehicular emissions, construction dust, and industrial discharge. Its PM2.5 levels frequently breach safe limits. Government initiatives like GRAP and AQI monitoring are being implemented here.