Protected Species and National Parks Operation Clean Art

• Operation Clean Art, conceived by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), is the first pan operation to crack down on the smuggling of mongoose hair in the country. Great Indian Bustard

Desert National Park Sanctuary — Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary – Karera Wildlife Sanctuary– With reference to the Great Indian Bustard, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It has been classified as critically as per the IUCN’s Red List. 2. It is endemic to India only. 3. To protect this species, Project Great Indian Bustard was launched by the Ministry of Environment. 4. In India, the great Indian Bustards are found only in Rollapadu wildlife sanctuary.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: a. 1 only b. 1, 3 and 4 only c. 1 and 2 only d. 3 and 4 only

Snow leopard states/UTs are: • • Jammu & Kashmir • • • • Globba andersonii

The plant, known commonly as ‘dancing ladies’ or ‘swan flowers’ was thought to have been extinct until its “recollection”, for the first time since 1875 has been sighted in the Sikkim Himalayas near the Teesta river valley region after a gap of nearly 136 years. Pongamia pinnata, which is a leguminous tree, has been in the news recently for which of the following reasons? a. Its seeds are used to formulate vaccines for malaria. b. Being a potential source for the production of Biodiesel. c. For producing protein rich cereals with potential to fight hidden malnutrition. d. For producing natural pesticides for grassland biomes. Purple

It is endemic to the Western Ghats. It can be called as a ‘living fossil’ as its evolutionary roots suggest it could have shared space with dinosaurs almost 70 million years ago. Red Panda

The species is endemic to the temperate forests of the Himalayas, and it ranges from the foothills of western Nepal to China in the east. It is also the state of Sikkim. The species was included as a critically endangered species in the Centre’s 'Recovery Program'. Which one of the following species is referred to in the above passage?

(a) Hoolock Gibbon (b) Phayre's leaf monkey (c) Red Panda (d) Indian Rhinoceros Consider the following statements regarding Singchung Bugun Reserve, recently seen in the news: 1. The reserve conserves the critically endangered Bugun liocichla. 2. It is a part of Nokrek Biosphere reserve. 3. The reserve is home to red pandas and clouded leopards.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a. 1 and 2 only b. 2 and 3 only c. 1 and 3 only d. 1, 2 and 3 International Union for Conservation of Nature

Established in 1964, the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species. IUCN List

• Critically Endangered (CR) : Population decline of 80 to more than 90 percent over the previous 10 years (or three generations, whichever is longer), a current population size of fewer than 50 individuals, or other factors. • Endangered (EN) : Population decline of 50 to more than 70 percent over the previous 10 years (or three generations), a current population size of fewer than 250 individuals, or other factors. • Vulnerable (VU) : A population decline of 30 to more than 50 percent over the previous 10 years (or three generations), a current population size of fewer than 1,000 individuals, or other factors. Critically Endangered in India

• Rat: Large Rock Rat or Elvira Rat. • Squirrel: Namdapha Flying Squirrel. • Civet: Malabar Civet. • Rhinoceros: Sumatran Rhinoceros and Javan Rhinoceros. • Shark: Pondicherry Shark and Ganges Shark. • Hawksbill Turtle, Four-toed River Terrapin or River Terrapin, Red-crowned Roofed Turtle or the Bengal Roof Turtle. Recent Changes

• Pygmy Hog: From Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN). • Kondana Rat: From Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN). • Forest Owlet: From Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN). • Sispara Day Gecko: From Critically Endangered (CR) to Near Threatened (NT). • Leatherback Turtle: From Critically Endangered (CR) to Vulnerable (VU). • Knife-tooth Sawfish: From Critically Endangered (CR) to Endangered (EN) IUCN Pages With reference to Red Data Book, consider the following statements : 1. Pink pages are used for those species that were formerly endangered but have now recovered to a point where they are no longer threatened. 2. Red list is inclusive of all the aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna, but leaves out viruses, fungi and bacteria. 3. Due to a continuously shrinking habitat, snow leopards have been moved from ‘vulnerable’ status to an ‘endangered’ status.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a. 1 and 2 only b. 2 and 3 only c. 1, 2 and 3 d. None of the Above Jatayu Conservation Programme

Indian Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture and White-backed Vulture. Protected Areas

• These are specially designated areas where the population of the flora and the fauna are given a degree of protection with a larger view of protecting the biodiversity. Differences :

National Parks Wildlife Sanctuaries • Degree of protection for • Comparatively less stringent. the different species is more.

• No livestock or grazing • Local communities are activity permitted. allowed certain activities.

• It is not created for any • Is oftentimes specie specific. particular species. With reference to the Protected area in India, consider the following statements: 1. National Park is primarily focused on a particular species. 2. Only the central government can declare an area as a National Park. 3. Hunting is totally Prohibited in National Parks but not in wildlife sanctuaries.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: a. 3 only b. 1,2 and 3 c. 1 and 2 only d. 1 and 3 only It is the home of Asiatic . The kamleshwar dam is located in this park. It is the largest deciduous forest in western India.

Which of the national parks is referred to in the above passage? a. b. Kuno National Park c. d. Tadoba National Park Important Tiger Reserves in India Sanjay Dhubri National Park is geographically located in the state of a. Rajasthan b. c. Madhya Pradesh d. Consider the following: 1. It forms the eastern most limit of the Himalayan Terai forests in India. 2. The Gandak river forms the western boundary of this tiger reserve. 3. Barking Deer, Sambar and Flying Squirrels are the important of this tiger reserve.

Which of the following tiger reserves is referred to in the above? a. Valmiki Tiger Reserve b. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve c. d. Palamau Tiger Reserve Which of the following are biodiversity hotspots present in India? 1. The Himalayas 2. Western Ghats 3. Indo- Burma 4. Andaman Islands Select the correct answer using the code given below: a. 1 and 2 only b. 2 and 3 only c. 1, 2 and 3 only d. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Protected areas on International Boundaries

With reference to different reserve area that form the International boundary, Consider the following pairs:

Reserve Area : Neighbours 1. : India and Myanmar 2. Valmiki Tiger Reserve : India and Nepal 3. Manas tiger Reserve : India and Bhutan 4. Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve : India and Nepal Select the correct answer using the code given below: a. 3 and 4 only b. 2 and 4 only c. 2 and 3 only d. 1, 2 , 3 and 4 Marine National Park

It is the first Marine National Park of India. Some of the finest coral reef fringe islands are found at Pirotan, Narala, Ajad and Positara near this national park. It lies in the intertidal zone, between the lowest and highest tide levels. It is part of an archipelago. Which of the following protected areas is referred to in the above passage? a. Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park b. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park c. Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park d. Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary Answer: a Banni Grasslands

Consider the following statements regarding Banni grassland: 1. Banni grassland lies in the North-western part of Rajasthan. 2. It is a saline arid grassland system. 3. It is not suitable for agriculture, but is fertile for certain grasses during the rainy season only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a. 1 only b. 1 and 2 only c. 2 and 3 only d. 1, 2 and 3 Biodiversity Heritage Consider the following statements: 1. It is an ancient artificial lake which now provides sight of flamingos and pelicans to the tourists. 2. It is the first water body in the country to be declared as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. 3. It is situated in the state of .

The above given description refers to which of the following water bodies? a. Ameenpur lake b. Neknampur lake c. Hussain Sagar lake d. Gandipet lake With reference to Gogabil lake, recently seen in news, consider the following statements: 1. It is an ox-bow lake formed by the erosional activity of the Ganga and the Son river. 2. It is the first notified ‘Community Reserve’ of . Select the correct statement using the code given below: a. 1 only b. 2 only c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2 Gangetic Dolphins Consider the following statements regarding Gangetic river dolphin: 1. The Gangetic river dolphins can only live in freshwater. 2. It is placed under the “vulnerable” category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 3. Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) in Bihar is India’s only sanctuary for its protection. Which of the given statements given above is/are correct? a. 3 only b. 1 and 3 only c. 2 and 3 only d. 1 and 2 only With reference to Indus River Dolphins, consider the following statements:

1. Presently, they are found only in Sutlej River. 2. The Punjab government has designated it as its state aquatic animal. 3. It uses echolocation to navigate, communicate and hunt prey in muddy river water.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a. 1 only b. 1 and 2 only c. 2 and 3 only d. 1, 2 and 3 Consider the following pairs: Animals Region 1. Hangul Jammu and Kashmir 2. -tailed macaque North-east India 3. Wild buffaloes Which of the above given pairs is/are correctly matched? a. 1 and 2 only b. 1 and 3 only c. 1, 2 and 3 d. 2 only Assam Roofed Turtle With reference to the Assam roofed turtle, recently seen in news, which of the following statements are correct? 1. The species is primarily found in Assam and Bangladesh. 2. It is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN red list. 3. The species inhabits in freshwater water ecosystem.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: a. 1 and 2 only b. 2 and 3 only c. 1 and 3 only d. 1, 2 and 3 Pangolins With reference to Pangolins, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. They improve nutrient quality of soil. 2. These are endemic to the Nilgiris Mountains of India. 3. This species is listed in Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Select the correct answer using the code given below: a. 1 only b. 2 and 3 only c. 1 and 3 only d. 1, 2 and 3 Vermins With reference to vermins declared under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Once declared a vermin, they remain in that category for one year. 2. The Chief Wildlife Warden of a state can declare an animal as a vermin if it poses a danger to human life or property. 3. Rhesus Macaque monkeys which Hindus regard as sacred are declared as ‘vermin’ in Himachal Pradesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a. 1 and 2 only b. 2 only c. 2 and 3 only d. 3 only Hoolock Gibbon

With reference to Hoolock Gibbon, consider the following statements: 1. It is the only ape species found in India. 2. It has two sub-species and both are listed as endangered in IUCN red list. 3. This species is an example of arboreal adaptation. Which of the statements given above are correct? a. 1 and 2 only b. 2 and 3 only c. 1 and 3 only d. 1, 2 and 3 With reference to the “Antarctic Krill”, consider the following statements: 1. These are phytoplanktons found in cold oceans. 2. Melting ice shelves are leading to an increase in their population. 3. They sequester carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Which of the above given statements is/are incorrect? a. 1 and 2 only b. 2 and 3 only c. 1 only d. 1, 2 and 3 Some other protected areas in news

• Amrabad Tiger Reserve : Telangana • Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve • • Bandipur Tiger Reserve • Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere Reserve is an international designation by UNESCO comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. A biosphere reserve is divided into core, buffer and transition zone in decreasing order of protection.

There are 18 biosphere reserves in India, of which 11 are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. List of Biosphere reserves

• Cold desert • Achanakmar Amarkantak • Nanda Devi • Panna • Kangchendzonga • Panchmarhi • Manas • Rann of Kutchch • Nokrek • Nilgiri • Dehang Dibang • Sheshachalam • Dibru Saikhowa • Agasthyamalai • • Gulf of Mannar • Simlipal • Great Nicobar Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE)

• Chirang - Ripu Elephant Reserve • Deomali Elephant Reserve • Dihing Patkai Elephant Reserve • Garo Hills Elephant Reserve • Eastern Dooars Elephant Reserve • Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve • Shivalik Elephant Reserve • Mysore Elephant Reserve • Nilgiri Elephant Reserve • Wayanad Elephant Reserve State Butterflies

• Maharashtra - Blue Mormon • Uttarakhand - Common Peacock • - Southern Bird Wings • - Malabar Banded Peacock • - Tamil Yeoman National Parks in India

• Himachal Pradesh • Great Himalaya • Maharashtra . Ladakh • Pin Valley • Chandoli . Hemis NP • Khirganga • Gugamal . Jammu and Kashmir • Uttarakhand • Tadoba Andhari . SalimAli • Jim Corbett • Sanjay Gandhi . Dachigam • Rajaji • . Kishtwar • Valley of Flowers • Vansda . Rajasthan • Nanda Devi • . Keoladeo Ghana • Madhya Pradesh • Gir . Desert • Satpura • Marine . Mukandra Hills • Pench • Odisha . Sariska • Bandhavgarh • Bhitarkanika . Ranthabhore • Kanha • Simlipal • Sanjay Dhubri • Panna National Parks in India

West Bengal • Buxa Chattisgarh • Neora Valley • Indravati • Gorumara • Kanger Valley • Sundarbans Karnataka Assam • Anshi • Manas • Bandipur • Kaziranga • Bannerghatta • Dibru Saikhowa • • Nameri • Nagarhole • Orang Kerala • Anamudi Shola • Nokrek • Periyar Arunachal Pradesh • Silent Valley • Namdapha

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