Shankar IAS MCQs: Conservation Efforts | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Statement 1: Project Lion aims to protect the last free-ranging population of Asiatic lions.
Statement 2: The Supreme Court ordered the relocation of lions from Gir Forest to Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in 2013.
(a) Only Statement 1 is correct
(b) Only Statement 2 is correct
(c) Both statements are correct
(d) Neither of the statements is correct
Ans: (c)
Project Lion focuses on protecting Asiatic lions, and the Supreme Court did issue an order in 2013 for their relocation.

Q2: Which of the following is not a potential relocation site identified under Project Lion?
(a) Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
(b) Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve
(c) Bandhavgarh National Park
(d) Jessore-Balaram Ambaji WLS
Ans: (c)
Bandhavgarh National Park is not listed among the potential relocation sites under Project Lion.

Q3: Statement 1: The Asiatic lion population in Gir Forest increased from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020.
Statement 2: The Supreme Court issued an order in 2013 to relocate lions to the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Statement 3: The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology sequenced the Asiatic lion genome, revealing high genetic diversity.
(a) Only Statement 1 is true.
(b) Statements 1 and 2 are true.
(c) Statements 2 and 3 are true.
(d) All three statements are true.
Ans: (b)
Statement 1 is correct as it provides the information about the increase in the Asiatic lion population in Gir Forest. Statement 2 is correct as it mentions the Supreme Court's order for lion relocation to the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary. Statement 3 is incorrect as it mentions low genetic diversity, whereas the actual information is about the low genetic diversity revealed by the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology.

Q4: Statement 1: The Asiatic lion is listed as critically endangered.
Statement 2: Asiatic lions receive the highest degree of protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
(a) Only Statement 1 is correct
(b) Only Statement 2 is correct
(c) Both statements are correct
(d) Neither of the statements is correct
Ans: (b)
While Asiatic lions are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, they are listed as 'Endangered', not 'Critically Endangered'.

Q5: Assertion (A): The introduction of cheetahs in India aims to establish a viable metapopulation.
Reasoning (R): Project Cheetah is part of the global conservation effort to reintroduce cheetahs to their historical range.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Ans: (a)
The introduction of cheetahs aims at establishing a viable population and is indeed part of a larger global conservation effort.

Q6: What is the primary focus of the 'Secure Himalaya' initiative?
(a) Conservation of the Asiatic Lion
(b) Protection of Snow Leopards and their habitats
(c) Reintroduction of the Cheetah in India
(d) Conservation of the Gangetic Dolphin
Ans: (b)
Secure Himalaya focuses on conserving snow leopards and their habitats.

Q7: Which of the following is a characteristic of captive breeding?
(a) It is primarily used for commercial purposes.
(b) It always ensures the reintroduction of species into the wild.
(c) It is a last resort measure for species preservation.
(d) It is the preferred method for all endangered species.
Ans: (c)
Captive breeding is used as a last resort for preserving species that are critically endangered or have drastically reduced populations.

Q8: Statement 1: Project Lion aims to relocate Asiatic lions from Gir Forest to six new potential sites, including Madhav National Park.
Statement 2: The "Asiatic Lion Conservation Project" is funded through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme-Development of Wildlife Habitat with a 60:40 ratio of Central and State contributions.
Statement 3: Madhav National Park is one of the six new potential relocation sites identified under Project Lion.
(a) Statements 1 and 2 are true.
(b) Statements 2 and 3 are true.
(c) Statements 1 and 3 are true.
(d) All three statements are true.
Ans: (c)
Statement 1 is correct as it mentions the relocation aim of Project Lion and the inclusion of Madhav National Park among the potential sites. Statement 2 is also correct as it provides information about the funding of the "Asiatic Lion Conservation Project." Statement 3 is correct as Madhav National Park is indeed mentioned as one of the new potential relocation sites.

Q9: Which of the following species is not covered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Schedule I
(a) Asiatic Lion
(b) Ganges Dolphin
(c) Indian Tiger
(d) African Elephant
Ans: (d)
The African Elephant is not native to India and thus not covered under India's Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Schedule I.

Q10: What is the main goal of the National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031)?
(a) Focus solely on tiger conservation
(b) Promote wildlife-based tourism only
(c) Address climate change impacts on wildlife
(d) Increase the number of national parks in India
Ans: (c)
The National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) emphasizes addressing climate change's impact on wildlife among its various objectives.

Q11: Statement 1: Project Lion includes the development of 'Zone Plans and Theme Plans' for conservation efforts.
Statement 2: Project Lion focuses exclusively on the Gir Forest region.
(a) Only Statement 1 is correct
(b) Only Statement 2 is correct
(c) Both statements are correct
(d) Neither of the statements is correct
Ans: (a)
Project Lion involves 'Zone Plans and Theme Plans', but it is not limited to the Gir Forest region.

Q12: Which of the following is not a focus of the 'Secure Himalaya' initiative?
(a) Strengthening the Protected Area Network
(b) Mitigation of Human-Wildlife Conflicts
(c) Control of Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade
(d) Reintroduction of extinct species
Ans: (d)
The 'Secure Himalaya' initiative does not specifically focus on reintroducing extinct species.

Q13: In Project Cheetah, which of the following sites is not mentioned for cheetah conservation?
(a) Kuno National Park
(b) Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary
(c) Corbett National Park
(d) Mukundara Tiger Reserve
Ans: (c)
Corbett National Park is not listed among the sites for cheetah conservation in Project Cheetah.

Q14: Statement 1: Captive breeding is used as a proactive conservation measure for species like the lion-tailed macaque.
Statement 2: Captive breeding focuses on species reintroduction and scientific research.
(a) Only Statement 1 is correct
(b) Only Statement 2 is correct
(c) Both statements are correct
(d) Neither of the statements is correct
Ans: (c)
Captive breeding is used for proactive conservation measures including species like the lion-tailed macaque and focuses on reintroduction and research.

Q15: The National Dolphin Research Centre is being established in which city for the conservation of the endangered Gangetic river dolphin?
(a) Mumbai
(b) Chennai
(c) Patna
(d) Kolkata
Ans: (c)
The National Dolphin Research Centre is being established in Patna for the conservation of the endangered Gangetic river dolphin.

Q16: Which of the following is not a component of the National Wildlife Action Plan for 2017-2031?
(a) Addressing climate change and wildlife management
(b) Promoting ecotourism and nature education
(c) Exclusively focusing on tiger conservation
(d) Enhancing management of wildlife habitats
Ans: (c)
The National Wildlife Action Plan for 2017-2031 does not exclusively focus on tiger conservation.

Q17: Statement 1: Project Cheetah is part of India's conservation initiative called 'Project Tiger.'
Statement 2: The cheetah, once declared extinct in India in 1952, is being reintroduced through Project Cheetah.
Statement 3: The Cheetah Reintroduction Plan under Project Cheetah involved the introduction of African Cheetahs into Kuno National Park.
(a) Statements 1 and 2 are true.
(b) Statements 2 and 3 are true.
(c) Statements 1 and 3 are true.
(d) All three statements are true.
Ans: (b)
Statement 1 is incorrect as Project Cheetah is a separate initiative, not part of 'Project Tiger.' Statement 2 is correct as it mentions the reintroduction of the cheetah, and Statement 3 is correct as it provides information about the introduction of African Cheetahs into Kuno National Park under the Cheetah Reintroduction Plan.

Q18: Which of the following is a key aspect of the 'Secure Himalaya' initiative?
(a) Introduction of new wildlife species into the Himalayas
(b) Landscape-level Conservation Approach for Wildlife
(c) Exclusive focus on botanical conservation
(d) Establishing new national parks
Ans: (b)
The 'Secure Himalaya' initiative emphasizes a landscape-level conservation approach for wildlife.

Q19: Which project aims to create employment opportunities and strengthen biodiversity through dolphin conservation?
(a) Project Tiger
(b) Project Elephant
(c) Project Dolphin
(d) Project Snow Leopard
Ans: (c)
Project Dolphin aims to conserve dolphins, strengthen biodiversity, and create employment opportunities.

Q20: The DNA Barcoding initiative, involving ZSI and iBOL, primarily focuses on:
(a) Identifying and classifying all plant species
(b) Developing vaccines for endangered species
(c) Rapid and accurate species identification using DNA sequences
(d) Mapping the genetic makeup of aquatic species only
Ans: (c)
The DNA Barcoding initiative focuses on identifying and classifying species through DNA sequencing.