20. Which is an ex-situ rather than in-situ method for conserving flora?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2011]
(A) Biosphere reserve
(B) Botanical garden
(C) National park
(D) Wildlife sanctuary
Answer: (B) Botanical garden
Explanation: Botanical gardens conserve plants outside their natural habitats, making them ex-situ institutions. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves protect species within functioning habitats, so they are examples of in-situ conservation.
19. What is found in the Red Data Books of IUCN?
1. All endemic species of hotspots
2. Threatened plant and animal species
3. Every protected conservation site
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2011]
(A) 1 and 3 only
(B) 2 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) 3 only
Answer: (B) 2 only
Explanation: IUCN Red Data Books focus on species facing extinction risk. They do not automatically contain every endemic organism or a global registry of all protected sites. Risk categories help prioritise conservation by identifying highly threatened fauna and flora.
18. Which conservation statement is correct?
1. Biodiversity is often greater near the equator.
2. Mountain biodiversity tends to be higher at lower elevations.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2011]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Species richness generally increases from high latitudes towards the tropics and often decreases with elevation. Local exceptions exist, but these broad patterns reflect climate, productivity, habitat variety and evolutionary history, explaining why tropical Indian mountains hold great biodiversity.
17. Assess protected-area statements:
1. National-park boundaries are legislatively defined.
2. Biosphere reserves conserve only a few chosen species.
3. Limited biotic interference may occur in sanctuaries.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2010]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) All three
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: National parks have legally defined boundaries, and sanctuaries may allow certain regulated uses. Biosphere reserves protect broad ecosystems and support compatible human activities rather than safeguarding only a handful of designated species. Therefore statements one and three are correct.
16. Which are correctly matched?
1. Bhitarkanika—saltwater crocodile
2. Desert National Park—Great Indian Bustard 3. Eravikulam—hoolock gibbon.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2010]
(A) 1 only
(B) 1 and 2 only
(C) 2 only
(D) All three
Answer: (B) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Bhitarkanika protects saltwater crocodiles and Desert National Park is a stronghold of the Great Indian Bustard. Eravikulam is in Kerala and is especially known for the Nilgiri tahr, whereas hoolock gibbons inhabit northeastern India.
15. The vulnerable marine animal dugong is classified as which kind of organism?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2009]
(A) Amphibian
(B) Bony fish
(C) Shark
(D) Mammal
Answer: (D) Mammal
Explanation: The dugong is a marine mammal in the order Sirenia and feeds on seagrass. Indian populations occur in protected coastal ecosystems including the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. It breathes air and nurses its young, unlike fishes.
14. In the 2008 UNESCO biosphere-network context, which Indian reserve had not yet been included?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2008]
(A) Gulf of Mannar
(B) Kanchenjunga
(C) Nanda Devi
(D) Sundarbans
Answer: (B) Kanchenjunga
Explanation: Khangchendzonga joined UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves only in 2018. Gulf of Mannar, Nanda Devi and Sundarbans had already joined before 2008. Historical membership questions must be answered for the specified exam year.
13. Which of the following had the most national parks among the listed territories in 2008?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2008]
(A) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
(B) Arunachal Pradesh
(C) Assam
(D) Meghalaya
Answer: (A) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Explanation: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands contained numerous separately notified island and marine national parks, exceeding the counts in the other options at that time. Small island parks protect highly specialised coastal, reef and forest ecosystems.
12. The protected area called Top Slip is associated with which site?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2007]
(A) Similipal National Park
(B) Periyar Sanctuary
(C) Manjira Sanctuary
(D) Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
Answer: (D) Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
Explanation: Top Slip is a well-known entrance and tourism zone of the Anamalai landscape in Tamil Nadu, formerly called Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. It forms part of a species-rich Western Ghats tiger and elephant habitat.
11. Which national park is located in the Bastar region?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2007]
(A) Bandhavgarh
(B) Dandeli
(C) Rajaji
(D) Indravati
Answer: (D) Indravati
Explanation: Indravati National Park is in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. It forms part of a major forest landscape notable for wild buffalo, tigers and other wildlife. Bandhavgarh is in Madhya Pradesh, Dandeli in Karnataka and Rajaji in Uttarakhand.
