UPSC Practice Questions: Biodiversity & Conservation - Set-3

Q1. In the context of Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS) in India, consider the following statements:

  1. They are primarily designed to protect wild animals from hunting, predation, and competition.

  2. They are generally species-oriented, focusing on the conservation of specific endangered species.

    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. WLS provide protection from external threats (hunting, predators, competition) and often focus on specific species like the Great Indian Bustard or Grizzled Giant Squirrel.

Q2. Which of the following acts provides the legal framework for the protection and management of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India?

A) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

B) Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

C) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

D) Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Answer: C

Explanation: Wildlife Sanctuaries are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Q3. With reference to the declaration of a Wildlife Sanctuary, consider the following:

  1. Only the State Government has the power to declare a sanctuary.

  2. A separate piece of legislation must be passed by the Parliament for each new 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: D

Explanation: Both statements are incorrect. The Central Government can also declare a sanctuary under specific conditions (e.g., leased land). No separate legislation is required; a notification is sufficient.

Q4. What is the mandatory requirement for altering the boundaries of a Wildlife Sanctuary in India?

A) A simple executive order by the Chief Minister.

B) A resolution by the State Legislature and recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).

C) Prior approval from the Supreme Court of India only.

D) A notification by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) alone.

Answer: B

Explanation: Boundary alteration requires a resolution passed by the State Legislature and the prior recommendation of the NBWL.

Q5. Who is the administrative authority responsible for the control, management, and maintenance of a Wildlife Sanctuary?

A) The District Collector

B) The Forest Settlement Officer

C) The Chief Wildlife Warden

D) The Prime Minister

Answer: C

Explanation: While a Collector determines rights, the actual control, management, and maintenance are handled by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state.

Q6. Regarding the rights of local communities in a Wildlife Sanctuary, which of the following activities may be permitted under regulation?

  1. Grazing of livestock

  2. Collection of firewood

  3. Use of minor forest produce

  4. Commercial mining

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    A) 1 and 2 only

    B) 1, 2, and 3 only

    C) 3 and 4 only

    D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: B

Explanation: Traditional rights like grazing, firewood collection, and minor forest produce can be permitted under strict regulation. Commercial mining is strictly prohibited in protected areas.

Q7. A Wildlife Sanctuary can be upgraded to which of the following categories if a higher degree of protection is required?

A) Reserved Forest

B) National Park

C) Community Reserve

D) Protected Forest

Answer: B

Explanation: The text states that a Wildlife Sanctuary can be upgraded to a National Park to ensure higher protection and stricter regulations.

Q8. The role of the 'Collector' in the context of a newly declared Wildlife Sanctuary is to:

A) Manage the day-to-day forest guards.

B) Determine the rights of individuals over land or resources.

C) Issue hunting licenses for non-endangered species.

D) Head the National Board for Wildlife.

Answer: B

Explanation: The State Government appoints a Collector specifically to inquire into and determine the rights of individuals regarding land or resources within the sanctuary limits.

Q9. Under what conditions can the Central Government declare an area as a Wildlife Sanctuary?

  1. If the land is leased or acquired by the Central Government.

  2. If the area is deemed to be of adequate ecological significance.

    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: The Central Government holds the power to declare a sanctuary if it manages the land or if the area holds significant ecological value.

Q10. Which of the following is an example of a 'Species-Oriented' sanctuary mentioned in the text?

A) Satpura National Park

B) Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary

C) Grizzled Giant Squirrel Sanctuary

D) Jim Corbett Reserve

Answer: C

Explanation: The text uses the Grizzled Giant Squirrel Sanctuary as an example of sanctuaries focused on a specific species.

Q11. Consider the following statements regarding the hierarchy of protection:

  1. National Parks offer a higher degree of protection than Wildlife Sanctuaries.

  2. Wildlife Sanctuaries offer a higher degree of protection than Reserved Forests.

    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: According to the hierarchy provided in the previous texts: National Park > Wildlife Sanctuary > Reserved Forest > Protected Forest.

Q12. Are permanent human settlements generally allowed within Wildlife Sanctuaries?

A) Yes, they are encouraged to promote eco-tourism.

B) No, they are generally not allowed, though some tribal settlements may exist.

C) Yes, but only for government officials.

D) Only if the settlement was established after the 1972 Act.

Answer: B

Explanation: Permanent settlements are generally not permitted to minimize human-wildlife conflict, although traditional tribal settlements are sometimes present.

Q13. The boundaries of a Wildlife Sanctuary are:

A) Fluid and change every year based on animal migration.

B) Fixed and can only be changed via a specific legal process.

C) Set by the local Village Council (Gram Sabha).

D) Only applicable to endangered species.

Answer: B

Explanation: Boundaries are fixed. Alteration requires a legislative resolution and NBWL recommendation.

Q14. Which of the following best describes 'In-situ' conservation as applied to Wildlife Sanctuaries?

A) Moving animals to a zoo for breeding.

B) Preserving species in their natural home range.

C) Storing DNA samples in a cold storage facility.

D) Cultivating wild plants in a botanical garden.

Answer: B

Explanation: Sanctuaries are a form of in-situ conservation because they protect animals in their natural habitat.

Q15. If a State Government wishes to reduce the area of a Wildlife Sanctuary, it must seek the prior recommendation of:

A) The Prime Minister's Office

B) The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

C) The NITI Aayog

D) The Supreme Court of India

Answer: B

Explanation: Any alteration of boundaries (including reduction) requires the recommendation of the NBWL.

Q16. Wildlife Sanctuaries provide protection against 'Competition'. In an ecological context, this means:

A) Protection from rival political parties.

B) Protection from other species or invasive species competing for the same resources.

C) Protection from commercial competition in the timber market.

D) Protection from sports hunting competitions.

Answer: B

Explanation: In ecology, competition refers to different species or individuals struggling for the same limited resources (food, water, space).

Q17. The primary difference between a National Park and a Wildlife Sanctuary, based on the text provided, is that:

  1. National Parks have a higher degree of protection.

  2. Sanctuaries can be upgraded to National Parks, but not vice-versa.

    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: National Parks sit higher in the protection hierarchy, and the text explicitly mentions the upgrade path from Sanctuary to National Park.

Q18. Minor Forest Produce (MFP) collection in a sanctuary is:

A) A right that can never be restricted.

B) A permitted activity, but subject to strict regulation.

C) Strictly prohibited under all circumstances.

D) Only allowed for the Chief Wildlife Warden.

Answer: B

Explanation: MFP collection is one of the traditional rights that may be allowed but is always under the strict regulation of the state authorities.

Q19. Which of the following is NOT a reason listed for providing protection in a Wildlife Sanctuary?

A) Hunting

B) Predation

C) Competition

D) Climate Change

Answer: D

Explanation: While sanctuaries may help with climate resilience, the text specifically lists hunting, predation, and competition as the factors they provide protection from.

Q20. 'Grizzled Giant Squirrel Sanctuary' is an example of which type of protected area?

A) National Park

B) Community Reserve

C) Wildlife Sanctuary

D) Biosphere Reserve

Answer: C

Explanation: It is cited in the text as a species-oriented Wildlife Sanctuary.

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