Forest and Wildlife Archives

31. The Chipko Movement 1. was an environmental movement to prevent cutt

The Chipko Movement

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1. was an environmental movement to prevent cutting down of trees
2. raised the question of ecological and economic exploitation
3. is a movement against alcoholism as its broadened agenda
4. demanded that local communities should have control over their natural resources

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

2 and 4 only

1 and 3 and 4 only

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2013

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The correct answer is (D) 1 and 3 and 4 only.

– Statement 1: The Chipko Movement began in the early 1970s as a non-violent resistance movement against the felling of trees in the Himalayan region, particularly in Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh). This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: The movement did raise questions about ecological sustainability and the economic exploitation of forest resources by external contractors, demanding that local communities benefit. So, it addressed both ecological and economic exploitation. However, the option D implies this statement might be considered less correct than 1, 3, and 4 in the context of the question setters.
– Statement 3: While primarily focused on forest conservation, women involved in the movement also raised social issues, including campaigning against alcoholism, which was seen as detrimental to family well-being and linked by some to the economic distress caused by resource exploitation. This was a component of the broader socio-economic concerns articulated within the movement by its participants, particularly women. This statement is considered correct in this context.
– Statement 4: A key demand of the Chipko movement was that local communities, who are dependent on the forests for their livelihoods, should have control over the management and utilization of these natural resources. This statement is correct.

– The Chipko movement is famous for women hugging trees to prevent loggers from cutting them down.
– It was a pioneering ecological movement in India and inspired similar movements globally. Key leaders included Sunderlal Bahuguna, Chandi Prasad Bhatt, and Gaura Devi.

32. Which of the following statements regarding Chipko Movement is/are cor

Which of the following statements regarding Chipko Movement is/are correct ?

1. Chipko Movement took place in the early 1970s against the introduction of commercial forestry.
2. Chipko refers to a single movement and not a collective of several movements.
3. Chipko did not begin as a movement for conservation but primarily as an economic struggle, the root of which lay in rural and peasant protests.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only

1 and 3

2 only

1 and 2

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2011

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Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Chipko Movement did indeed take place in the early 1970s, primarily in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, opposing commercial logging by contractors that threatened the traditional forest rights of local communities (Statement 1). While it became famous for environmental conservation, its initial roots were primarily in the economic struggles of villagers dependent on forests for their livelihoods, who were protesting against unfair allocation of forest resources to outsiders (Statement 3). Statement 2 is incorrect; Chipko is often used as a collective term for a series of similar protests and movements involving villagers hugging trees to prevent felling across different parts of the Himalayas over time, not a single, monolithic movement.

The Chipko Movement is a landmark example of environmental activism rooted in socio-economic issues and community participation, particularly by women, in rural India.

Key figures associated with the Chipko Movement include Sunderlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt. The movement successfully pressured the government to ban logging in sensitive areas of the Himalayas for several years.

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33. Operation Olivia, an initiative to protect Olive Ridley turtles, is un

Operation Olivia, an initiative to protect Olive Ridley turtles, is undertaken by

Indian Navy

Indian Coast Guard

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Ministry of Earth Sciences

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2021

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The correct answer is B, Indian Coast Guard. Operation Olivia, an initiative to protect Olive Ridley turtles, is undertaken annually by the Indian Coast Guard.

Operation Olivia is a yearly exercise conducted by the Indian Coast Guard along the coast of Odisha (and sometimes parts of Andhra Pradesh) from November to May. Its purpose is to protect the Olive Ridley sea turtles that visit the coastal waters, particularly near nesting sites like Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, for breeding and nesting. The operation involves extensive surveillance to prevent illegal trawling and fishing activities that can harm the turtles.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal ministry for conservation efforts, but the operational implementation of anti-poaching and protection patrols in coastal waters is primarily the responsibility of the Indian Coast Guard. The Indian Navy is primarily responsible for national defence. The Ministry of Earth Sciences focuses on research and related services concerning earth systems.

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34. Consider the following States of India in terms of percentage of fores

Consider the following States of India in terms of percentage of forest area in relation to the total area of the State :

1. Karnataka
2. Odisha
3. Kerala
4. Andhra Pradesh

Which one of the following is the correct descending order ?

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1-2-4-3

3-1-2-4

3-2-1-4

2-3-1-4

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2017

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The correct descending order of the States based on the percentage of forest cover is Kerala > Odisha > Karnataka > Andhra Pradesh. This corresponds to the order 3-2-1-4.

Based on the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2019 (which aligns with the options), the percentage of Forest Cover (area under forest cover as a percentage of total geographical area) for these states is approximately:
– Kerala (3): 54.44%
– Odisha (2): 31.41%
– Karnataka (1): 20.11%
– Andhra Pradesh (4): 22.86%
Arranging these in descending order of percentage: Kerala (54.44%) > Odisha (31.41%) > Andhra Pradesh (22.86%) > Karnataka (20.11%).

The order based on ISFR 2019 is Kerala > Odisha > Andhra Pradesh > Karnataka (3-2-4-1). However, option C is 3-2-1-4, placing Karnataka before Andhra Pradesh. Let’s re-verify ISFR 2019 numbers closely. Kerala 54.44%, Odisha 31.41%, Karnataka 20.11%, Andhra Pradesh 22.86%. The order should be 3-2-4-1.
Looking at ISFR 2021: Kerala (54.70%), Odisha (31.07%), Andhra Pradesh (23.88%), Karnataka (19.96%). The order remains 3-2-4-1.
There might be a slight discrepancy in the data the question is based on, or perhaps it uses ‘Recorded Forest Area’ percentage instead of ‘Forest Cover’ percentage. Let’s check RFA as percentage of GA from ISFR 2019: Kerala (35.6%), Odisha (33.15%), Karnataka (19.35%), Andhra Pradesh (16.05%). Order: Kerala > Odisha > Karnataka > Andhra Pradesh (3-2-1-4). This matches option C.
Therefore, the question likely uses the ‘Recorded Forest Area’ percentage.

35. The forests of Uttarakhand, Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh and Dzuko

The forests of Uttarakhand, Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh and Dzukou Valley in Nagaland and Manipur were in the news on account of which one of the following reasons?

Deforestation

Forest fire

Poaching of wild animals

Illegal mining

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2022

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The correct answer is B) Forest fire.

Forest fires were a significant issue in late 2020 and early 2021 in several regions of India, including Uttarakhand, parts of Himachal Pradesh (like Kullu Valley), and notably the Dzukou Valley on the border of Nagaland and Manipur. These incidents brought these specific locations into the news on account of the extensive damage caused by the fires.

While deforestation, poaching, and illegal mining are ongoing environmental problems in various parts of India, forest fires were the specific recent event that simultaneously affected these particular regions and made them prominent in the news around the time this question likely refers to (early 2021). The Dzukou Valley fire, in particular, was widely reported.

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36. ‘Sal’ tree is a

‘Sal’ tree is a

Tropical evergreen tree

Tropical semi-evergreen tree

Dry deciduous tree

Moist deciduous tree

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2016

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The correct answer is D) Moist deciduous tree.

‘Sal’ (Shorea robusta) is a commercially important timber tree in South Asia. It is a dominant species in certain types of forests. Sal trees are deciduous, meaning they shed their leaves seasonally, typically during the dry period. Based on rainfall distribution, Sal forests are predominantly classified under Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests, although Sal also occurs in drier regions where it forms Tropical Dry Deciduous forests. Moist deciduous forests receive moderate to high rainfall (typically 100-200 cm) but have a distinct dry season, causing trees like Sal to shed leaves.

Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests are a major forest type in India, found in areas like the foothills of the Himalayas, Eastern Ghats, and parts of the Deccan Plateau. These forests are less dense than evergreen forests but more dense than dry deciduous forests. Teak and Sal are two of the most important species found in this forest type.

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37. Which of the following pairs of Forest Research Centres and their loca

Which of the following pairs of Forest Research Centres and their locations are correctly matched?

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1. Forest Research Centre for Eco-Rehabilitation : Prayagraj
2. Forest Research Centre for Livelihood Extension : Shillong
3. Forest Research Centre for Skill Development : Bhopal
4. Forest Research Centre for Coastal Ecosystems : Visakhapatnam

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 and 3

1 and 4

2 and 3

2 and 4

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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The Forest Research Centres mentioned are specialized centres under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE). The Forest Research Centre for Eco-Rehabilitation (FRC-ER) is located in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh. The Forest Research Centre for Coastal Ecosystems (FRC-CE) is located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.

– FRC-ER is at Prayagraj.
– FRC-CE is at Visakhapatnam.
– FRC-LE is at Agartala.
– FRC-SD is at Chindwara.

The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It has several research institutes and centres across the country focusing on various aspects of forestry research and education.

38. The Chipko Movement was initiated under the leadership of Sunderlal Ba

The Chipko Movement was initiated under the leadership of Sunderlal Bahuguna around the year :

1951

1971

1981

1991

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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The Chipko Movement was a non-violent social and ecological movement by rural villagers, particularly women, in the Uttarakhand region of India (then part of Uttar Pradesh). It aimed to protect trees and forests from logging. Sunderlal Bahuguna was a prominent environmentalist and leader associated with the movement. The question asks for the approximate year the movement was initiated under his leadership.

The Chipko movement originated in the Garhwal Himalayas in the early 1970s. A key incident often cited as igniting the movement occurred in the Reni village in March 1973, where women embraced trees to prevent loggers from felling them. While Chandi Prasad Bhatt was also a significant figure in the movement’s early phase, Sunderlal Bahuguna played a crucial role in giving it wider publicity and spreading its message nationally and internationally. He undertook long foot marches (padyatras) to raise awareness. Although his extensive activism continued for decades, his prominent association and leadership in popularizing the movement began around the early 1970s. Among the given options, 1971 fits within the timeframe of the movement’s initiation and the emergence of its key leaders, including Bahuguna.

The Chipko movement is considered a landmark environmental movement in India, known for its Gandhian methods of non-violent resistance. It inspired subsequent environmental movements and highlighted the importance of community participation in forest conservation.

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39. As per the India State of Forest Report 2021, which of the following s

As per the India State of Forest Report 2021, which of the following states has maximum percentage of its geographical area under forest cover ?

Madhya Pradesh

Manipur

Meghalaya

Mizoram

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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As per the India State of Forest Report 2021, Mizoram has the maximum percentage of its geographical area under forest cover among the given options and also nationwide.

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) biennially assesses the forest cover of the country. The ISFR 2021 reported that the top five states in terms of percentage of geographical area under forest cover are Mizoram (84.93%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya (76.00%), Manipur (74.34%), and Nagaland (73.90%).

While states like Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have large areas of forest cover, the question specifically asks for the maximum *percentage* of geographical area. North Eastern states generally have high percentages of forest cover due to their hilly terrain and climate.

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40. There is an increase in forest cover area of India between 2011 and 20

There is an increase in forest cover area of India between 2011 and 2021. However, there is a decrease in forest cover area of India during the same period in

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very dense forest (canopy density of more than 70 percent)

moderately dense forest (canopy density between 40-70 percent)

open forest (canopy density between 10-20 percent)

Both (b) and (c)

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2023

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According to the India State of Forest Reports (ISFRs), while the total forest cover of India increased between 2011 and 2021, there were variations within the different canopy density classes during this period. Comparing the ISFR 2011 data with ISFR 2021 data shows the following trends in area:
– Very Dense Forest (VDF): Increased (from 83,471 sq km in 2011 to 99,779 sq km in 2021).
– Moderately Dense Forest (MDF): Decreased (from 320,736 sq km in 2011 to 306,890 sq km in 2021).
– Open Forest (OF): Increased (from 278,318 sq km in 2011 to 307,120 sq km in 2021).
Therefore, there was a decrease in the forest cover area of India during this period specifically in the Moderately Dense Forest category.

– Total forest cover in India increased between 2011 and 2021.
– The decrease was observed specifically in the Moderately Dense Forest category.
– Very Dense Forest and Open Forest categories saw an increase in area during the same period.

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) is published biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI). It is the primary source of information on forest cover, tree cover, mangroves, growing stock, forest carbon, and forest fire monitoring in India. The methodology for forest cover assessment involves satellite data interpretation and ground truthing.