30. What is implied when a Ramsar wetland is entered on the Montreux Record?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2014]
(A) Its ecological character has changed or may change through human impact
(B) Human activity is legally banned within five kilometres
(C) It is protected exclusively for traditional cultural practices
(D) It automatically becomes a World Heritage site
Answer: (A) Its ecological character has changed or may change through human impact
Explanation: The Montreux Record flags Ramsar wetlands undergoing, or at risk of, adverse ecological change. India’s Loktak and Keoladeo have appeared on the list. Inclusion draws attention to problems and possible corrective conservation action.
29. Which pairs are correct?
1. Dampa Tiger Reserve—Mizoram
2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary—Sikkim
3. Saramati Peak—Nagaland.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2014]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) All three
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Dampa lies in Mizoram and Saramati Peak in Nagaland. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary is in Tripura, not Sikkim. The question requires distinguishing adjacent northeastern states and correctly locating major protected sites.
28. Which conservation category best joins biodiversity protection with traditional human livelihoods?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2014]
(A) Biosphere reserves
(B) Botanical gardens
(C) National parks
(D) Wildlife sanctuaries
Answer: (A) Biosphere reserves
Explanation: Biosphere reserves combine strictly conserved core zones with buffer and transition zones where sustainable local livelihoods may continue. This design allows conservation and human communities to coexist, following UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere approach.
27. Under which law are eco-sensitive zones around protected areas notified, and are all non-agricultural activities prohibited? Evaluate:
1. Wildlife Protection Act creates them.
2. All activities except farming are banned.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2014]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (D) Neither
Explanation: Eco-sensitive zones are notified under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Their rules distinguish prohibited, regulated and permitted activities, rather than banning everything apart from agriculture. They aim to buffer national parks and sanctuaries from damaging development.
26. Which location pairs are correct?
1. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve—Garo Hills
2. Loktak Lake—Barail Range
3. Namdapha—Dafla Hills.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2013]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) All three
(D) None
Answer: (A) 1 only
Explanation: Nokrek is in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills. Loktak lies in the Manipur valley, not the Barail Range, and Namdapha is in eastern Arunachal Pradesh rather than the Dafla Hills. Only pair one is valid.
25. Which park–river pairs are correct?
1. Corbett—Ganga
2. Kaziranga—Manas
3. Silent Valley—Kaveri.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2013]
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 3 only
(C) 1 and 3
(D) None
Answer: (D) None
Explanation: Corbett is closely associated with the Ramganga, Kaziranga with the Brahmaputra and its local channels, and Silent Valley with the Kunthipuzha. None matches the river named in this question, so all three pairs are incorrect.
24. The Palghat Gap separates which hill ranges?
[RPSC RAS Prelims – 2013]
(A) Nilgiris and Cardamom Hills
(B) Nilgiris and Anaimalai Hills
(C) Anaimalai and Cardamom Hills
(D) Cardamom and Palani Hills
Answer: (B) Nilgiris and Anaimalai Hills
Explanation: The Palghat Gap opens between the Nilgiri and Anaimalai hills of the Western Ghats. It is a major natural pass between Kerala and Tamil Nadu and can influence ecological connectivity and species distributions across the range.
23. Which are tiger reserves?
1. Bandipur
2. Bhitarkanika
3. Manas
4. Sundarbans
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2012]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 1, 3 and 4 only
(C) 2, 3 and 4 only
(D) All four
Answer: (B) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation: Bandipur, Manas and Sundarbans are tiger reserves. Bhitarkanika in Odisha is a protected mangrove and crocodile habitat, but not a Project Tiger reserve. The question tests similar-sounding categories within India’s network of protected areas.
22. In which category of Indian protected area may local people generally not collect biomass?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2012]
(A) Biosphere reserve
(B) National park
(C) Ramsar wetland
(D) Wildlife sanctuary
Answer: (B) National park
Explanation: National parks are subject to particularly stringent restrictions on extracting plants and other biomass. Sanctuaries and biosphere-reserve transition zones may permit regulated traditional resource use, while Ramsar promotes wise wetland use rather than universal exclusion.
21. Which protected area lies near the confluence of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers close to the Bay of Bengal?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2011]
(A) Bhitarkanika
(B) Chandipur-on-sea
(C) Gopalpur-on-sea
(D) Similipal
Answer: (A) Bhitarkanika
Explanation: Bhitarkanika’s mangrove landscape occupies the Brahmani–Baitarani delta in coastal Odisha. It is famous for saltwater crocodiles and estuarine biodiversity. The other options do not match this distinctive two-river coastal conservation setting.
