UPSC Practice Questions: Biodiversity & Conservation - Set-7

Q1. In the context of Indian environmental law, the term 'Eco-Sensitive Zone' (ESZ) is defined and notified under which of the following?

A) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

B) Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

C) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

D) Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Answer: C

Explanation: The term ESZ is not mentioned in the WPA 1972. Instead, these zones are notified by the MoEFCC under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Q2. With reference to the extent of Eco-Sensitive Zones, consider the following statements:

  1. The general guideline for the width of an ESZ is 10 km from the boundary of a Protected Area.

  2. The government has no power to extend an ESZ beyond 10 km, even for migratory corridors.

  3. For urban parks, the ESZ can technically be 0 km.

    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

Answer: C

Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect because the government has the statutory power to push the limit beyond 10 km to protect specific pathways. Statements 1 and 3 reflect the "extreme flexibility" of ESZ boundaries.

Q3. Regarding the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling on ESZs, which of the following is correct?

A) It made a 1-km uniform ESZ mandatory for all National Parks.

B) It officially scrapped the mandatory 1-km uniform rule in favor of site-specific boundaries.

C) It allowed commercial mining within 500 meters of all National Parks.

D) It transferred the power of notifying ESZs from the MoEFCC to the State Legislatures.

Answer: B

Explanation: In April 2023, the SC modified its 2022 order, recognizing that a "one-size-fits-all" approach was not feasible and returned to site-specific determinations.

Q4. Within an Eco-Sensitive Zone, which of the following activities is classified as 'Prohibited'?

A) Establishment of hotels and resorts

B) Felling of trees

C) Commercial use of firewood

D) Rainwater harvesting

Answer: C

Explanation: Commercial use of firewood is a Prohibited activity. Hotels and tree felling are Regulated, while rainwater harvesting is Permitted.

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding 'Conservation Reserves':

  1. They were introduced via the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002.

  2. They are declared on land that is privately owned by local communities.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    A) 1 only

    B) 2 only

    C) Both 1 and 2

    D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because Conservation Reserves are declared on land owned by the Government but used for subsistence by communities.

Q6. What is the primary prerequisite for declaring a 'Community Reserve'?

A) The area must be uninhabited government wasteland.

B) An individual or community must volunteer to conserve wildlife on their private/community land.

C) It must be located at least 50 km away from any National Park.

D) It must be declared only by the Central Government.

Answer: B

Explanation: Community Reserves are unique because they are declared on private or community land where the owners volunteer for conservation.

Q7. "Khichan" in Rajasthan was recently added as a Conservation Reserve specifically to protect the wintering grounds of which species?

A) Great Indian Bustard

B) Demoiselle Crane (Kurjan)

C) Snow Leopard

D) Bengal Florican

Answer: B

Explanation: Khichan is a vital habitat for the wintering Kurjan or Demoiselle Crane.

Q8. How does the governance of a 'Community Reserve' change once it is officially notified?

A) It remains entirely under the control of the local village council.

B) Its governance moves to the Forest Department under the Chief Wildlife Warden.

C) It is managed by a private NGO without government interference.

D) It becomes a National Park automatically after five years.

Answer: B

Explanation: This is the "catch" mentioned in the text: once declared, Section 33 of the WLPA applies, and authority passes to the Chief Wildlife Warden, restricting activities like hunting or jhum cultivation.

Q9. The 'Tillari Conservation Reserve' is ecologically strategic because it acts as a corridor for:

A) One-horned Rhinos in Assam.

B) Tigers moving between Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka.

C) Elephants moving between Odisha and West Bengal.

D) Lions moving within the Saurashtra region.

Answer: B

Explanation: The Tillari corridor connects the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) with the forests of Goa and Karnataka.

Q10. Which of the following is a common feature of both Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves?

  1. Both were introduced by the 2002 Amendment to the WLPA.

  2. Both act as buffer zones or corridors between other protected areas.

  3. Both require a Management Committee that includes local representatives.

    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

Answer: D

Explanation: All three statements are correct and represent the similarities between these two "inclusive" categories.

Q11. In which of the following categories are traditional rights (like grazing or collecting minor forest produce) "not affected" or extinguished?

A) National Parks

B) Conservation Reserves

C) Community Reserves

D) Both A and C

Answer: B

Explanation: In Conservation Reserves, traditional rights are not affected. In NPs, they are extinguished. In Community Reserves, land use (like agriculture) becomes restricted once notified.

Q12. Mining is strictly banned within ______ of a National Park or Sanctuary, regardless of the ESZ's specific shape or extent.

A) 10 km

B) 5 km

C) 1 km

D) 500 meters

Answer: C

Explanation: Despite the 2023 reversal on uniform ESZ width, the Supreme Court maintained a strict ban on mining within a 1-km radius.

Q13. 'Jhum cultivation' (shifting cultivation) is specifically prohibited in which of the following once it is notified?

A) Reserved Forests

B) Community Reserves

C) Eco-Sensitive Zones

D) Protected Forests

Answer: B

Explanation: Once an area is declared a Community Reserve, agricultural practices—specifically jhum cultivation—are no longer permitted.

Q14. The 'Management Committee' of a Conservation Reserve must include:

A) Only members of the Indian Forest Service.

B) Representatives of local village panchayats, NGOs, and the forest department.

C) Only the Chief Wildlife Warden and the District Collector.

D) Members of the National Board for Wildlife exclusively.

Answer: B

Explanation: The committee is designed to be collaborative and democratic, involving local stakeholders and NGOs.

Q15. Which state has been "aggressively expanding" its network of Conservation Reserves with sites like Sorsan and Hamirgarh?

A) Maharashtra

B) Assam

C) Rajasthan

D) Himachal Pradesh

Answer: C

Explanation: Rajasthan has recently added several sites like Khichan, Sorsan, and Hamirgarh to its network.

Q16. Activities such as 'Organic Farming' and 'Renewable Energy use' in an ESZ are categorized as:

A) Prohibited

B) Regulated

C) Permitted

D) Exempted from all environmental laws

Answer: C

Explanation: These are considered eco-friendly and fall under the 'Permitted' bucket to support local livelihoods.

Q17. A 'Conservation Reserve' is declared by the State Government after consulting with:

A) The Prime Minister

B) Local communities

C) The World Bank

D) Only the Chief Wildlife Warden

Answer: B

Explanation: Consultations with local communities are a mandatory step before declaring a Conservation Reserve.

Q18. According to recent data, approximately what percentage of India's geographical area is covered by Conservation Reserves?

A) 1.5%

B) 0.17%

C) 5.0%

D) 10.2%

Answer: B

Explanation: India has 115 Conservation Reserves covering roughly 0.17% of its total area.

Q19. Which of the following is a 'Regulated' activity (not prohibited) in an ESZ?

A) Commercial mining

B) Major hydroelectric projects

C) Establishment of hotels and resorts

D) Production of hazardous substances

Answer: C

Explanation: Hotels/Resorts are regulated. The other three options are strictly prohibited within an ESZ.

Q20. The primary difference in land ownership between Conservation and Community Reserves is:

A) Conservation Reserves are private; Community Reserves are government-owned.

B) Conservation Reserves are government-owned; Community Reserves are private/community-owned.

C) Both must be owned by the Central Government.

D) Both must be owned by private NGOs.

Answer: B

Explanation: Conservation Reserves = Government land (used by community). Community Reserves = Private/Community land (volunteered for conservation).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

UPSC Practice Questions: Biodiversity & Conservation - Set-8

Q1. Which of the following statements best defines 'Sacred Groves'? A) Government-owned plantations used for commercial timber extraction. B) Tracts of virgin forest protected by local communities due to religious or cultural beliefs. C) Artificial forests created by NGOs to offset carbon emissions. D) Botanical gardens dedicated to the study of ancient Vedic plants. Answer: B Explanation: Sacred groves are community-protected forest fragments with significant religious connotations, often containing relic vegetation untouched by modern exploitation.
Read more

Indian Independence Act of 1947

The Indian Independence Act of 1947 was the final legislative act passed by the British Parliament to end its rule in India. It was based on the Mountbatten Plan (also known as the 3rd June Plan), which proposed the partition of the country. ### 1. Background: The Road to Freedom The Mountbatten Plan: Lord Mountbatten was sent to India to speed up the transfer of power. On June 3, 1947, he proposed the partition of India into two independent dominions. Agreement: Both the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League accepted the plan. The Act: Following this agreement, the British Parliament passed the Act on July 18, 1947. ### 2. Key Features The Act was essentially a "closing document" for British sovereignty: End of British Rule: It declared India an independent and sovereign state from August 15, 1947 . Partition of India: It provided for the creation of two independent dominions— India and Pakistan . Abolition of Offices: The office of the Viceroy was abolish...
Read more

UPSC Practice Questions: Biodiversity & Conservation - Set-4

Q1. With reference to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), consider the following statements: It is a constitutional body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It was constituted under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 2 only C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the NTCA is a statutory body, not a constitutional one. Statement 2 is correct as it was established via an amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Read more