Forest and Wildlife

21. According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the followi

According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law ?

  • Gharial
  • Indian wild ass
  • Wild buffalo

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2017
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All three animals (Gharial, Indian wild ass, and Wild buffalo) cannot be hunted except under some provisions provided by law.
– The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, prohibits the hunting of animals listed in Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II.
– Hunting of animals in Schedule I is completely prohibited unless it falls under very specific exceptions defined in Section 11 (like animals dangerous to human life or property, or disabled/diseased beyond recovery), which require permission from the Chief Wild Life Warden.
– Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is listed in Schedule I.
– Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur) is listed in Schedule I.
– Wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is listed in Schedule I.
Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides absolute protection to listed species and offenses under this schedule attract the highest penalties.

22. Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis

Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC):

  • 1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
  • 2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2017
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The correct option is B) 2 only.
– Statement 1 is incorrect. TRAFFIC is a non-governmental organization (NGO) and a strategic alliance of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is not a bureau under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), although it works in collaboration with various UN bodies and international conventions like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
– Statement 2 is correct. The mission of TRAFFIC is explicitly stated as being to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. It monitors and investigates wildlife trade and advocates for sustainable use and trade practices.
TRAFFIC works globally to monitor and investigate wildlife trade and provide information to governments, intergovernmental bodies, and others involved in policy and conservation. Its work supports efforts to regulate and control trade in endangered species according to international agreements like CITES.

23. Which of the following statements is/are correct? Proper design and ef

Which of the following statements is/are correct?
Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to

  1. protection of biodiversity
  2. resilience of forest ecosystems
  3. poverty reduction

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
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The correct option is D, as all three statements are correct regarding the potential contributions of a properly designed and effectively implemented UN-REDD+ Programme.
– Statement 1 is correct. By reducing deforestation and forest degradation, REDD+ directly contributes to the protection of forest habitats and the biodiversity they harbour.
– Statement 2 is correct. Sustainable forest management and conservation practices, which are part of the REDD+ framework, enhance the health, structure, and functions of forest ecosystems, increasing their resilience to climate change and other threats.
– Statement 3 is correct. REDD+ initiatives often involve local communities and indigenous peoples living in and around forests. Effective implementation can include benefit-sharing mechanisms, creation of sustainable livelihood opportunities, and recognition of land rights, all of which can contribute to poverty reduction.
UN-REDD+ is a collaborative program of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It supports developing countries in establishing the technical and institutional capacities needed to implement REDD+ activities.

24. With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider

With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements :

  • 1. It is a tree species found in a part of South India.
  • 2. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rain forest areas of South India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
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The correct option is A, as statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect.
– Statement 1 is correct. Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is a tree species endemic to a specific region of South India, mainly the Eastern Ghats, particularly in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
– Statement 2 is incorrect. Red Sanders trees are typically found in dry deciduous forests, hilly tracts, and rocky ground, not in tropical rainforest areas of South India.
Red Sanders is known for its rich red colour and is highly valued for its timber, particularly in East Asia, leading to illegal logging and trade. It is listed as ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN and is included in Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), regulating its international trade.

25. In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come

In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitat?

[amp_mcq option1=”Sand deserts of northwest India” option2=”Higher Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir” option3=”Salt marshes of western Gujarat” option4=”Western Ghats” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
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The Great Indian Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) is primarily found in dense tropical and subtropical forests.
The Western Ghats region of India is characterized by extensive evergreen and moist deciduous forests, which constitute the natural habitat of the Great Indian Hornbill. They require large tracts of forest for foraging and nesting.
Other habitats in India where the Great Indian Hornbill can be found include the forests of the North Eastern states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are large, fruit-eating birds and play a significant role in seed dispersal in their forest ecosystems. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, facing threats primarily from habitat loss and hunting.

26. Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?

Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?

[amp_mcq option1=”Saltwater crocodile” option2=”Olive ridley turtle” option3=”Gangetic dolphin” option4=”Gharial” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
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The Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is the national aquatic animal of India.
The Gangetic dolphin was declared the national aquatic animal by the Indian government on May 18, 2009.
The Gangetic dolphin is a freshwater dolphin species found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. It is an indicator species of the health of the river ecosystem. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN. The other options are also aquatic animals found in India but are not designated as the national aquatic animal.

27. With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the foll

With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  • 1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
  • 2. It is found along the entire coast of India.
  • 3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2″ option2=”2 only” option3=”1 and 3″ option4=”3 only” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
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Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Dugongs are herbivorous marine mammals and are provided the highest legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Statement 2 is incorrect.
Dugongs, often called ‘sea cows’, are exclusively herbivorous, feeding on seagrass beds. They are highly vulnerable and are listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, affording them maximum protection.
Dugongs are found in warm coastal waters from the western Pacific to the eastern coast of Africa. In India, their distribution is restricted to specific coastal areas and islands, notably the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay (Tamil Nadu), Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat), and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are not found along the entire coast of India. Their populations are threatened by habitat loss (seagrass destruction), entanglement in fishing gear, and poaching.

28. Every year, a monthlong ecologically important campaign/festival is he

Every year, a monthlong ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?

[amp_mcq option1=”Bhutia and Lepcha” option2=”Gond and Korku” option3=”Irula and Toda” option4=”Sahariya and Agariya” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2014
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The correct option is B, identifying Gond and Korku tribes as associated with a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival involving planting fruit-bearing trees.
Certain indigenous communities in India have deep-rooted traditions linked to ecology and agriculture. The Gond and Korku tribes, predominantly in Central India, have festivals such as ‘Hari Jyoti’ (Green Light) or ‘Hariali’ celebrated during the monsoon season which involve tree plantation, particularly focusing on fruit-bearing and useful trees, reflecting their close connection with the environment and agricultural cycles. This practice aligns with the description of a month-long, ecologically important festival centered around planting saplings of fruit-bearing trees.
Other options represent tribes from different regions (Bhutia and Lepcha from Sikkim; Irula and Toda from Tamil Nadu; Sahariya from Rajasthan/Madhya Pradesh, Agariya from Central India) with their own distinct cultural and ecological practices, but the description specifically fits the known traditions of the Gond and Korku tribes related to tree plantation festivals during the planting season.

29. In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its n

In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat?

  • 1. Tamil Nadu
  • 2. Kerala
  • 3. Karnataka
  • 4. Andhra Pradesh

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”2 only” option3=”1, 3 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
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The Lion-tailed Macaque is found in its natural habitat in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
The Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) is an endangered primate species endemic to the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats mountain range in South India. Its natural habitat is restricted to this region, specifically within the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It is not naturally found in Andhra Pradesh.
The Lion-tailed Macaque is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Its population is fragmented and threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation due to human activities. Significant populations are found in areas like the Anamalai Hills, Periyar National Park, Silent Valley National Park, and parts of Karnataka’s Western Ghats.

30. With reference to ‘Black Tigers’, which of the following statements is

With reference to ‘Black Tigers’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  • 1. They are also referred to as Melanistic Tigers
  • 2. In India they are found only in Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha

Select the answer using the code given below:

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
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Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Tigers with pseudomelanism, where stripes are unusually thick and close, are commonly referred to as ‘Black Tigers’. This is a rare genetic mutation. While sightings or reports might have occurred elsewhere historically or anecdotally, Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha is the only known place in India with an established, documented population of tigers exhibiting this pseudomelanism, linked to a specific genetic marker.
The pseudomelanism mutation is caused by a single gene mutation. Research in Similipal has identified the genetic basis for the stripes and the higher frequency of this mutation in that population due to potential inbreeding.
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