90. Rajasthan’s Desert National Park extends through which two districts?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I – 2025]
(A) Jaisalmer and Barmer
(B) Phalodi and Jodhpur
(C) Udaipur and Rajsamand
(D) Dholpur and Bharatpur
Answer: (A) Jaisalmer and Barmer
Explanation: Desert National Park spans Jaisalmer and Barmer in western Rajasthan. Its Thar Desert ecosystem includes dunes, rocky terrain and sparse grassland. It is especially important for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard and other desert-adapted wildlife.
89. Chilika Lake and Pulicat Lake both lie on which coast of India?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I – 2025]
(A) West Coast
(B) Malabar Coast
(C) Konkan Coast
(D) East Coast
Answer: (D) East Coast
Explanation: Chilika in Odisha and Pulicat across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are coastal lagoons on India’s east coast. Their brackish ecosystems provide valuable feeding and breeding grounds for fish and large numbers of resident and migratory waterbirds.
88. What is the principal biological basis for identifying biodiversity hotspots?
[UPPSC LT Grade Assistant Teacher – 2025]
(A) Vegetation, particularly endemic plant species
(B) All organisms equally
(C) Diversity of cultivated crops
(D) Animal numbers alone
Answer: (A) Vegetation, particularly endemic plant species
Explanation: A biodiversity hotspot is identified partly by exceptional plant endemism, requiring at least 1,500 endemic vascular-plant species and severe historical habitat loss. This concept, associated with Norman Myers, concentrates conservation attention on threatened areas with irreplaceable biodiversity.
87. In which state is Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve located?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I – 2024]
(A) Himachal Pradesh
(B) Assam
(C) Uttarakhand
(D) Odisha
Answer: (C) Uttarakhand
Explanation: Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve occupies the high Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Its protected landscape includes Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers national parks. Alpine habitats and varied elevations shelter specialised fauna and flora, while UNESCO recognises its international ecological significance.
86. Which name is associated with a publication recording threatened and endangered species and their conservation status?
[SSC MTS – 2024]
(A) Book of Endangered Species
(B) Indian Life Catalogue
(C) Black Book
(D) Red Data Book
Answer: (D) Red Data Book
Explanation: The Red Data Book terminology refers to catalogues of species facing extinction risks, linked to IUCN assessments. Modern IUCN Red List categories include Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable. Such information supports conservation priorities and monitoring.
85. For how many years was the Amrit Dharohar scheme, proposed in 2023 for wetland conservation and livelihoods, initially intended to operate?
[SSC MTS – 2024]
(A) Seven years
(B) Two years
(C) Three years
(D) Five years
Answer: (C) Three years
Explanation: Amrit Dharohar was announced with a three-year implementation period. It aims to conserve Ramsar wetlands while supporting biodiversity, carbon storage, nature-based tourism and livelihood opportunities. Community participation is central to making conservation compatible with local income.
84. Project Tiger was launched in India in which year?
[SSC CGL Tier-I – 2024]
(A) 1985
(B) 1973
(C) 1972
(D) 1970
Answer: (B) 1973
Explanation: Project Tiger began in April 1973 with a network of nine reserves. The programme protects breeding tiger populations and their habitats; the National Tiger Conservation Authority subsequently strengthened oversight and conservation planning through statutory measures.
83. Which organisation produces the globally used assessment of threatened species known as the Red List?
[UPSC CDS General Knowledge – 2024]
(A) IUCN
(B) WWF
(C) UNEP
(D) UNDP
Answer: (A) IUCN
Explanation: The International Union for Conservation of Nature publishes the IUCN Red List, assessing extinction risks using standard categories and scientific criteria. It serves as a conservation guide rather than a list of legally protected sites or a treaty register.
82. Which sanctuary-and-state pair is incorrectly matched?
[UPSC CDS General Knowledge – 2024]
(A) Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary — Uttarakhand
(B) Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary — Assam
(C) Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary — Haryana
(D) Kane Wildlife Sanctuary — Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: (A) Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary — Uttarakhand
Explanation: Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary is associated with Jammu and Kashmir, while Uttarakhand has the town Ramnagar near Corbett. Chakrashila is in Assam, Nahar in Haryana and Kane in Arunachal Pradesh. Similar place names make this a location-based trap.
81. Which animals are correctly described?
1. Lions breed without a fixed seasonal cycle.
2. Cheetahs cannot roar like lions.
3. Male leopards do not use scent marking.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2024]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Lions can reproduce throughout the year, and cheetahs chirp or purr but cannot produce the deep roar typical of some big cats. Male leopards do scent-mark their territories, often with urine or scrapes, so the third statement fails.
