UPSC Practice Questions: Biodiversity & Conservation - Set-2

Q1. Both 'Reserved Forests' and 'Protected Forests' in India find their legal origin and definition under which of the following?

A) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

B) Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

C) Indian Forest Act, 1927

D) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Answer: C

Explanation: Both categories are defined and declared specifically under the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

Q2. Who holds the primary statutory power to declare forest land as a 'Reserved' or 'Protected' Forest?

A) The Central Government

B) The State Government

C) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

D) The National Board for Wildlife

Answer: B

Explanation: Under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the power to declare land as Reserved or Protected Forest is vested in the State Government.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding 'Reserved Forests' (RF):

  1. They are governed by the provisions of Chapter II of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

  2. The core principle of management is "Everything is permitted unless explicitly prohibited."

    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 for Reserved Forests, the principle is "Everything is PROHIBITED unless explicitly PERMITTED."

Q4. With reference to 'Protected Forests' (PF), consider the following statements:

  1. They offer a higher degree of protection compared to Reserved Forests.

  2. Rights to grazing and timber collection are generally allowed to local communities unless specifically restricted.

    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; Reserved Forests have the highest degree of protection under the Act. Statement 2 is correct as PFs operate on the principle that activities are permitted unless prohibited.

Q5. Which of the following best describes the role of a 'Forest Settlement Officer' (FSO)?

A) To manage the commercial sale of timber from Protected Forests.

B) To inquire into and settle the existing rights of local people during the declaration of a Reserved Forest.

C) To lead anti-poaching operations in National Parks.

D) To classify unclassed forests into Reserved Forests.

Answer: B

Explanation: During the creation of a Reserved Forest, an FSO is appointed to inquire into the rights of locals and either settle, buy out, or restrict them.

Q6. Which of the following was the first 'Reserve Forest' in India?

A) Jim Corbett National Park

B) Satpura National Park

C) Kaziranga National Park

D) Gir National Park

Answer: B

Explanation: As per the text, the first reserve forest in India was Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Q7. Arrange the following protected area categories in the descending order of their 'Protection Level' (from highest to lowest):

  1. National Parks

  2. Protected Forests

  3. Wildlife Sanctuaries

  4. Reserved Forests

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    A) 1-3-4-2

    B) 1-4-3-2

    C) 4-1-3-2

    D) 3-1-4-2

Answer: A

Explanation: According to the hierarchy of protection: National Parks > Wildlife Sanctuaries > Reserved Forests > Protected Forests.

Q8. Under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, 'Village Forests' are created when:

A) A village community buys land from the State Government.

B) The State Government assigns the rights over a Reserved Forest to a village community.

C) Private individuals donate forest land to the local Panchayat.

D) Unclassed forests are managed by the Gram Sabha.

Answer: B

Explanation: Under Section 28 of the IFA 1927, the State can assign rights of the Government over any land constituted as a Reserved Forest to a village community.

Q9. Which region of India is characterized by having the highest percentage of 'Unclassed Forests'?

A) Western Ghats

B) Himalayan Foothills

C) North-Eastern States

D) Central Highlands

Answer: C

Explanation: Unclassed forests (forests not classified as RF or PF) are found in the highest percentage in the North-Eastern states of India.

Q10. In a 'Protected Forest', the State Government retains the power to:

  1. Prohibit specific activities even if they were generally permitted.

  2. Reserve specific tree species from being cut.

  3. Completely ban the entry of all persons without an FSO inquiry.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    A) 1 and 2 only

    B) 2 and 3 only

    C) 1 only

    D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: In PFs, the State can prohibit specific activities or reserve tree species. Statement 3 is more characteristic of the Reserved Forest settlement process.

Q11. Which legal provision of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, specifically deals with 'Protected Forests'?

A) Chapter II

B) Chapter III

C) Chapter IV

D) Section 28

Answer: C

Explanation: Chapter II deals with Reserved Forests, while Chapter IV deals with Protected Forests.

Q12. What is the status of 'Unclassed Forests' in terms of ownership?

A) They belong exclusively to the Central Government.

B) They can belong to both government and private individuals or communities.

C) They are legally the property of the Forest Settlement Officer.

D) They are always communal land with no individual ownership.

Answer: B

Explanation: Unclassed forests include forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals/communities.

Q13. In which category of forest are rights like hunting and grazing 'strictly banned' by default unless specific permission is granted?

A) Protected Forests

B) Unclassed Forests

C) Reserved Forests

D) Village Forests

Answer: C

Explanation: Reserved Forests carry the highest protection where everything is prohibited by default unless explicitly permitted.

Q14. The typical progression for upgrading protection and government funding for a forest area in India is:

A) National Park → Wildlife Sanctuary → Reserved Forest

B) Reserved Forest → Wildlife Sanctuary → National Park

C) Protected Forest → Unclassed Forest → National Park

D) Wildlife Sanctuary → Reserved Forest → National Park

Answer: B

Explanation: Reserved forests are often upgraded to wildlife sanctuaries and then to national parks to increase protection and funding.

Q15. Can a 'Protected Forest' be declared over land that is already a 'Reserved Forest'?

A) Yes, if the State Government issues a notification.

B) No, it can only be declared on land that is not a Reserved Forest.

C) Yes, if it is located in the North-Eastern states.

D) No, because Protected Forests have a higher status.

Answer: B

Explanation: According to the Act, a Protected Forest can be declared over land which is the property of the Government but is not a Reserved Forest.

Q16. Under the settlement of rights in Reserved Forests, which of the following is NOT an option for the Forest Settlement Officer?

A) Settling the rights (allowing them under conditions).

B) Buying out the rights.

C) Transferring the rights to the Central Government.

D) Heavily restricting the rights.

Answer: C

Explanation: The FSO inquires into rights and typically settles them, buys them out, or restricts them; transferring them to the Central Government is not a standard part of this process.

Q17. Which of the following is an 'Intangible' benefit of biodiversity conservation as mentioned in the "Broadly Utilitarian" argument?

A) Timber collection for construction.

B) Aesthetic pleasure of walking through woods.

C) Extraction of tannins and lubricants.

D) Production of medicinal plants.

Answer: B

Explanation: Aesthetic pleasure, bird songs, and ecosystem services are considered intangible/broadly utilitarian, whereas timber and tannins are direct/narrowly utilitarian.

Q18. The phrase "Everything is permitted unless explicitly prohibited" is the operational philosophy of:

A) Reserved Forests

B) Protected Forests

C) National Parks

D) Biosphere Reserves

Answer: B

Explanation: This core principle distinguishes Protected Forests (moderate protection) from Reserved Forests (highest protection).

Q19. Section 28 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 is related to which of the following?

A) Declaration of Protected Forests

B) Settlement of rights by FSO

C) Constitution of Village Forests

D) Prohibited acts in National Parks

Answer: C

Explanation: Section 28 allows the State to assign government rights over Reserved Forests to village communities, creating Village Forests.

Q20. Consider the following statements:

  1. Reserved Forests have a moderate degree of protection.

  2. Protected Forests are governed by Chapter II of IFA 1927.

    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: D

Explanation: Both are incorrect. Reserved Forests have the highest degree of protection (Statement 1) and Protected Forests are governed by Chapter IV (Statement 2). 

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