UPSC Practice Questions: Biodiversity & Conservation - Set-5

Q1. With reference to the 'Man and the Biosphere (MAB)' Programme, consider the following statements:

  1. It is an intergovernmental scientific programme launched by UNESCO in 1971.

  2. It aims to establish a scientific basis for improving the relationship between people and their environment.

    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: C

Explanation: Both statements are correct. MAB is UNESCO's flagship scientific programme designed to combine natural and social sciences to improve human livelihoods and safeguard ecosystems.

Q2. Which was the first Biosphere Reserve in India to be included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR)?

A) Gulf of Mannar

B) Sunderban

C) Nilgiri

D) Nanda Devi

Answer: C

Explanation: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first in India to be included in the UNESCO WNBR list (notified in 1986, added to WNBR in 2000).

Q3. As of September 2025, how many Biosphere Reserves in India are recognized internationally under the UNESCO MAB program?

A) 11

B) 12

C) 13

D) 18

Answer: C

Explanation: According to the text, the inclusion of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in September 2025 brought India's total number of UNESCO WNBR sites to 13.

Q4. Consider the following pairs regarding Biosphere Reserves and their features:

  1. Smallest BR: Dibru-Saikhowa (Assam)

  2. Largest BR: Great Rann of Kutch (Gujarat)

  3. Only Marine BR: Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu)

    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

    A) 1 and 2 only

    B) 2 and 3 only

    C) 1 and 3 only

    D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: D

Explanation: All pairs are correct. Dibru-Saikhowa is the smallest (765 sq km), Great Rann of Kutch is the largest (12,454 sq km), and Gulf of Mannar is the only marine hub famous for Dugongs.

Q5. The Panna Biosphere Reserve is located in which of the following mountain ranges?

A) Aravalli Range

B) Vindhya Range

C) Satpura Range

D) Western Ghats

Answer: B

Explanation: Panna Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Vindhya mountain range in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh.

Q6. Which river flows through the Panna Tiger Reserve and is part of a major river interlinking project?

A) Betwa River

B) Ken River

C) Narmada River

D) Son River

Answer: B

Explanation: The Ken River flows through the reserve. The Ken-Betwa river interlinking project is located within the tiger reserve.

Q7. Apart from the Bengal Tiger, which other cat species are explicitly mentioned as residents of the Panna Tiger Reserve?

  1. Siyah Gosh (Caracal)

  2. Jungle Cat

  3. Clouded Leopard

  4. Snow Leopard

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    A) 1 and 2 only

    B) 2 and 3 only

  1. 1 and 4 only

    D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: A

Explanation: The text specifies that the Bengal Tiger, Siyah Gosh (Caracal), and Jungle Cat claim this region as their home.

Q8. The Panna region is a world-renowned pilgrimage site for the followers of which sect?

A) Lingayat

B) Pranami

C) Kabirpanthi

D) Varkari

Answer: B

Explanation: The region is the most sacrosanct pilgrimage for the followers of the Pranami sect globally.

Q9. With reference to the 'Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve', consider the following statements:

  1. It is located in the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh.

  2. It includes the Pin Valley National Park and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.

    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; it is located in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, not Ladakh. Statement 2 is correct as it includes Pin Valley NP, Chandratal, Sarchu, and Kibber WLS.

Q10. Which of the following flora is NOT mentioned as part of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve?

A) Willow-leaved sea-buckthorn

B) Himalayan birch

C) Persian juniper

D) Teak and Sal trees

Answer: D

Explanation: Teak and Sal are tropical deciduous trees. The Cold Desert features hardy alpine species like sea-buckthorn, birch, and juniper.

Q11. The 'Dugong' (Sea Cow) is an endangered marine mammal primarily found in which Indian Biosphere Reserve?

A) Great Nicobar

B) Sunderban

C) Gulf of Mannar

D) Similipal

Answer: C

Explanation: The Gulf of Mannar is famous for its coral reefs and the endangered Dugong.

Q12. Which Biosphere Reserve represents India's first "Mixed" World Heritage Site?

A) Nanda Devi

B) Khangchendzonga

C) Pachmarhi

D) Nokrek

Answer: B

Explanation: Khangchendzonga (Sikkim) represents a unique overlap and is India's first "Mixed" World Heritage Site (both cultural and natural).

Q13. In the context of Panna Biosphere Reserve, the 'Gangau' and 'Ken-Gharial' refer to:

A) Local tribal groups

B) Protected Areas (Sanctuaries) included in the BR

C) Endemic plant species

D) Traditional diamond mining techniques

Answer: B

Explanation: Panna BR includes Panna National Park and the Gangau and Ken-Gharial sanctuaries.

Q14. Consider the following ethnic groups:

  1. Gond

  2. Khairuas

  3. Yadavas

    Which of the above are major ethnic groups associated with the Panna Biosphere Reserve?

    A) 1 and 2 only

    B) 2 and 3 only

    C) 1 and 3 only

    D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: D

Explanation: The text lists Gond, Khairuas, and Yadavas as the major ethnic groups of the Panna region.

Q15. The Great Rann of Kutch Biosphere Reserve is unique because:

A) It is the smallest BR in India.

B) It is the largest BR in India but not part of the UNESCO WNBR.

C) It is the first BR to be included in the UNESCO MAB program.

D) It is the only BR located in the North-Eastern states.

Answer: B

Explanation: While it is the largest in area, it is explicitly noted that it is NOT part of the UNESCO WNBR.

Q16. Which carnivore is a key significance of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh?

A) Bengal Tiger

B) Asiatic Lion

C) Snow Leopard

D) Indian Cheetah

Answer: C

Explanation: The Snow Leopard and Himalayan Wolf are the primary carnivores of this high-altitude ecosystem.

Q17. The 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves (2025) was held in:

A) New Delhi, India

B) Hangzhou, China

C) Paris, France

D) Geneva, Switzerland

Answer: B

Explanation: The 5th World Congress was held in Hangzhou, China, where the Cold Desert BR was officially designated.

Q18. According to the UNESCO MAB criteria, Biosphere Reserves are nominated by:

A) The UNESCO Director-General independently.

B) The National Government of the respective country.

C) The United Nations Security Council.

D) International NGOs like Greenpeace.

Answer: B

Explanation: Biosphere Reserves are nominated by national governments that meet the criteria under the MAB program.

Q19. Which of the following herbivore species is commonly found in the Cold Desert BR?

A) Nilgai

B) Blue Sheep (Bharal)

C) Indian Rhino

D) Sambar Deer

Answer: B

Explanation: Blue sheep (bharal) and Himalayan ibex are the characteristic herbivores of this trans-Himalayan region.

Q20. 'Betula utilis' (Himalayan birch) and 'Juniperus polycarpos' (Persian juniper) are floral components of which ecological zone?

A) Mangrove Forests

B) Tropical Rainforests

C) High-altitude Cold Deserts

D) Dry Deciduous Forests

Answer: C

Explanation: These are rare trees/shrubs specifically mentioned under the flora of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve.

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