The Global 500 awards, instituted by an international environmental body, are given for outstanding achievement in which field?

Introduction / Context:
The Global 500 awards are internationally recognised honours associated with environmental protection. They are often mentioned in general knowledge and environmental science sections of competitive exams. Understanding the specific field these awards focus on helps you correctly answer such matching questions, especially when several options mention different types of social campaigns.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The awards discussed are called Global 500.
• They are described as being given for outstanding achievement.
• Options suggest fields such as population control, campaigns against drugs, elimination of illiteracy and protection of environment.

Concept / Approach:
The Global 500 awards have been associated with the United Nations Environment Programme and are meant to recognise individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection and conservation. While population control, drug campaigns and literacy programmes are also important social issues, they are not the central focus of this particular award. Therefore, in exam context, Global 500 should be firmly linked with environmental protection.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the phrase Global 500 is commonly mentioned in connection with environmental achievements. Step 2: Remember that this award recognises efforts to protect and improve the environment at local, national or global levels. Step 3: Compare the given options with this understanding. Step 4: Population control, campaigns against drugs and elimination of illiteracy each refer to other types of social development programmes. Step 5: Protection of environment directly matches the known purpose of the Global 500 awards. Step 6: Select protection of environment as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Lists of international environmental awards typically include the Global 500 Roll of Honour under United Nations Environment Programme initiatives. These references clearly describe it as a recognition for outstanding environmental achievements rather than for health, population or education campaigns. Exam oriented GK compilations also cluster Global 500 together with other environment related honours, confirming the correct field.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Population Control: Although controlling population growth can have environmental benefits, Global 500 is not specifically designated as a population award.

Campaign against drugs: This is a public health and law enforcement issue, but Global 500 awards are not primarily aimed at this field.

Elimination of illiteracy: Literacy programmes are important for development but do not define the scope of Global 500, which is clearly focused on environmental contributions.

Common Pitfalls:
Because the name Global 500 sounds broad, some students may think it relates to general development goals like literacy or public health. To avoid this, associate the word global with global environment and imagine award recipients working on conservation projects or pollution control. This mental picture makes it easier to connect Global 500 with environmental protection in exam situations.

Final Answer:
Global 500 awards are given for outstanding achievement in the field of Protection of environment.