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.

Q2. Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Sacred Groves can be formally notified as which category of protected area?

A) National Parks

B) Biosphere Reserves

C) Community Reserves

D) Reserved Forests

Answer: C

Explanation: The text states that the State can declare private or community land, including sacred groves, as Community Reserves.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the legal status of Sacred Groves:

  1. According to the Supreme Court, 'forest land' includes areas regardless of ownership, including sacred groves.

  2. Under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), they can be recognized as Community Forest Resources (CFR) governed by Gram Sabhas.

    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. The Godavarman Case (1996) expanded the definition of forests, and the FRA empowers Gram Sabhas to manage these as CFRs.

Q4. Does the recognition of 'Deemed Forests' (like Sacred Groves) depend on the thickness of the forest canopy or tree density?

A) Yes, it must have at least 40% canopy density.

B) No, they are recognized based on cultural or ecological significance regardless of tree density.

C) Yes, but only in North-Eastern states.

D) Only if they are larger than 100 hectares.

Answer: B

Explanation: The Supreme Court clarified that recognition is based on significance, not physical density or "thick canopy."

Q5. Match the following regional names of Sacred Groves with their respective States:

  1. Kavu : Kerala

  2. Devarakadu : Karnataka

  3. Law Kyntang : Meghalaya

  4. Oran : Rajasthan

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    A) 1, 2, and 3 only

    B) 2, 3, and 4 only

    C) 1 and 4 only

    D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: D

Explanation: All pairs are correctly matched according to the regional terminology provided in the text.

Q6. What is the primary objective of 'Ex Situ' conservation?

A) To protect the entire ecosystem in its natural setting.

B) To act as a rescue operation for species on the brink of extinction in a controlled environment.

C) To promote large-scale trophy hunting for revenue.

D) To allow local communities to manage forests for timber.

Answer: B

Explanation: Ex situ (off-site) conservation is an "insurance policy" that removes threatened species from their habitat to protect and breed them in zoos, banks, or gardens.

Q7. With reference to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), consider the following statements:

  1. It is a statutory body established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

  2. It is chaired by the Prime Minister of India.

    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 (established in 1992). Statement 2 is incorrect because the CZA is chaired by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Q8. Which of the following is an example of an 'Ex Situ' conservation success in India?

  1. Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres (Pinjore)

  2. Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (Assam)

  3. Project Tiger in Corbett

    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: A

Explanation: Vulture breeding and Pygmy Hog programs are Ex Situ (captive breeding). Project Tiger is primarily In Situ (protecting the tiger in its natural habitat).

Q9. The 'Great Banyan Tree' is a world-famous attraction located in which botanical garden?

A) Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bengaluru

B) Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah

C) Lloyd's Botanical Garden, Darjeeling

D) National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow

Answer: B

Explanation: The Great Banyan Tree is the centerpiece of the AJC Bose Indian Botanic Garden in West Bengal.

Q10. 'Cryopreservation' involves storing biological material at which temperature?

A) 0°C (Freezing point of water)

B) -50°C

C) -196°C

D) -273°C (Absolute zero)

Answer: C

Explanation: Cryopreservation typically uses liquid nitrogen at -196°C to halt all biological activity and preserve viability.

Q11. Match the following institutions with their focus areas:

  1. NBPGR : Plants

  2. NBAGR : Animals

  3. NBFGR : Fish

    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

    A) 1 only

    B) 1 and 2 only

    C) 2 and 3 only

    D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: D

Explanation: These are the three primary national bureaus for genetic resources in India, covering plants (Delhi), animals (Karnal), and fish (Lucknow).

Q12. Where is India’s "Doomsday" Vault (National Permafrost Repository) located?

A) Siachen Glacier

B) Chang La, Ladakh

C) Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh

D) Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Answer: B

Explanation: The vault is located at Chang La in Ladakh, utilizing natural sub-zero temperatures to store seeds.

Q13. In the context of conservation, what is an 'OECM'?

A) Only Endangered Species Management

B) Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures

C) Organized Environment and Climate Mission

D) Official Ecological Conservation Method

Answer: B

Explanation: Sacred groves are often cited as examples of OECMs—areas that are not formal protected areas but achieve long-term biodiversity conservation.

Q14. The term 'Devrai' for sacred groves is used in which state?

A) Karnataka

B) Maharashtra

C) Himachal Pradesh

D) Tamil Nadu

Answer: B

Explanation: Devrai is the traditional name for sacred groves in Maharashtra.

Q15. Which of the following is NOT a form of 'Ex Situ' conservation?

A) Seed Banks

B) Zoological Parks

C) Biosphere Reserves

D) Cryopreservation

Answer: C

Explanation: Biosphere Reserves are In Situ conservation because they protect species within their natural ecosystem.

Q16. The Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre is located in which city?

A) Patna

B) Lucknow

C) Guwahati

D) Bhopal

Answer: B

Explanation: The center is in Lucknow and is a famous example of captive breeding and rehabilitation for Gharials.

Q17. 'Umanglai' is the regional name for sacred groves in which of the following states?

A) Meghalaya

B) Manipur

C) Nagaland

D) Mizoram

Answer: B

Explanation: Umanglai is the traditional name used in Manipur.

Q18. What is the major role of the National Forest Policy (1988) regarding sacred groves?

A) It mandated their conversion into commercial timber lots.

B) It encouraged communities with customary rights to protect and improve these forests.

C) It banned the entry of all local people into sacred groves.

D) It placed all sacred groves under the direct control of the Indian Army.

Answer: B

Explanation: The policy, along with Supreme Court rulings, emphasizes community-led protection based on customary rights.

Q19. Seed banks preserve genetic diversity primarily by:

A) Growing trees in large glass houses.

B) Storing seeds in a dormant state for future use.

C) Cross-breeding different species to create hybrids.

D) Selling rare seeds to the highest bidder.

Answer: B

Explanation: Seed banks store seeds in controlled environments to maintain genetic reservoirs for future restoration or research.

Q20. Why are Sacred Groves called "Relic vegetation"?

A) Because they are made of fossilized wood.

B) Because they represent the original, once-dominant flora of a region that has been lost elsewhere.

C) Because they only contain dead or dying trees.

D) Because they are artificial replicas of ancient forests.

Answer: B

Explanation: They are "relics" because they have been preserved in their original state while the surrounding landscape has been altered by agriculture or urbanization.

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