Biodiversity Conservation Questions in English

(C) The correct answer is $C$. The Red Data Book or Red List is a comprehensive catalogue of taxa (species,subspecies,etc.) that are facing a risk of extinction. It provides information on the conservation status of these threatened species to help in their protection and management. The Red Data Book was first initiated in $1963$ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature $(IUCN)$.

(D) The correct answer is $D$. Dachigam National Park,located in Jammu and Kashmir,is famous for being the natural habitat of the Hangul,also known as the Kashmir stag. The Hangul is a subspecies of the Central Asian red deer and is critically endangered. While musk deer are also found in high-altitude regions of the Himalayas,the Hangul is specifically associated with the Dachigam National Park.

(D) : The River dolphin (Platanista gangetica) found in the holy rivers Ganga,Brahmaputra,Indus,and their tributaries is the National aquatic animal of India.
The presence of the River dolphin in the Ganga indicates the purity and health of the freshwater ecosystem.

(C) $In \text{ situ}$ (on-site) conservation involves the protection and conservation of the entire ecosystem and its biodiversity at all levels to protect threatened species. Examples include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, and sacred groves.
$Ex \text{ situ}$ (off-site) conservation involves the conservation of selected rare plants or animals outside their natural habitats. Examples include botanical gardens, zoological parks, seed banks, gene banks, tissue culture, and cryopreservation.
Option $C$ correctly identifies $In \text{ situ}$ conservation with a National Park and $Ex \text{ situ}$ conservation with a Botanical Garden.

(D) : Cryopreservation is an advanced method of $ex$ $situ$ conservation.
It involves preservation at $-196^{\circ}C$ in liquid nitrogen.
It can maintain tissue culture, embryos, animal cells/tissues, and spermatozoa indefinitely.
The cryopreserved material is revived through a special technique when required.

(B) $In \, situ$ (on-site) conservation involves the protection of the entire ecosystem and its biodiversity at all levels to safeguard threatened species. Examples include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, and sacred groves.
$Ex \, situ$ (off-site) conservation involves the protection of selected rare plants or animals in locations outside their natural habitats. Examples include seed banks, gene banks, botanical gardens, zoological parks, $in \, vitro$ fertilization, cryopreservation, and tissue culture. Therefore, a seed bank is an example of $ex \, situ$ conservation.

(B) $IUCN$ stands for International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources,now known as the World Conservation Union $(WCU)$.
It is headquartered in Gland,Switzerland.
It maintains the Red Data Book or Red List,which is a comprehensive catalogue of taxa (species) facing the risk of extinction.
The Red Data Book or Red List initiative was started in $1963$ to document and track the conservation status of various species globally.

(A) : Ex situ conservation is the conservation of selected rare plants or animals in places outside their natural habitats. It includes botanical gardens, zoological parks, seed banks, cryopreservation, field gene banks, and tissue culture.
Shifting cultivation is an agricultural practice where land is cleared and cultivated for a short period, which often leads to deforestation and loss of biodiversity, rather than its conservation.
Botanical gardens, field gene banks, and seed banks are all established methods used for the ex situ conservation of plant species.

(A) $(A) : IUCN$ stands for International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources,which is now known as the World Conservation Union $(WCU)$.
Its headquarters are located in Gland,Switzerland.
It maintains the 'Red Data Book' or 'Red List',which is a catalogue of taxa (species) facing the risk of extinction.
The 'Red Data Book' or 'Red List' was initiated in $1963$.
The $2000$ Red List provided an assessment of $18,000$ species.

(D) : Sacred groves are an example of $in-situ$ conservation of forests and wildlife,especially rare and threatened species.
These forest patches are found around places of worship and are held in high esteem by tribal communities.
They are the most undisturbed forest patches,often surrounded by highly degraded landscapes.
Not a single branch is allowed to be cut from these forests.
As a result,many endemic species which are rare or have become extinct elsewhere can be seen to flourish here.
Such sacred groves are found in the Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya,Aravalli hills of Rajasthan,Western Ghat regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra,and the Sarguja,Chanda,and Bastar areas of Madhya Pradesh.

(B) $ex \, situ$ conservation refers to the conservation of selected rare plants or animals in locations outside their natural habitats.
This approach includes botanical gardens, zoological parks, seed banks, cryopreservation, field gene banks, and tissue culture.
Many wild and domesticated species are managed and collected in these facilities to prevent extinction.
Seed banks are specific institutes that maintain stocks of viable seeds to preserve genetic diversity.
In contrast, wildlife sanctuaries, sacred groves, and national parks are examples of $in \, situ$ conservation, where species are protected within their natural ecosystems.

(D) : The Indian rhinoceros $(Rhinoceros \text{ unicornis})$ is primarily found in the north-eastern region of India.
Kaziranga National Park, located in the state of Assam, is globally famous for hosting the largest population of the Indian rhinoceros.

(B) : $Gir$ National Park is situated in the Junagadh district of Gujarat. This national park is famous for the $Asiatic$ lion. Besides the lion,animals like the panther,striped hyaena,sambar,nilgai,and chital are also conserved here. Tigers are not found in $Gir$ National Park.

(B) The correct answer is $B$.
Conservation of biodiversity is a collective responsibility of all nations.
The historic Convention on Biological Diversity ('The Earth Summit') held in Rio de Janeiro in $1992$ called upon all nations to take appropriate measures for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable utilisation of its benefits.
In a follow-up,the World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in $2002$ in Johannesburg,South Africa.
During this summit,$190$ countries pledged their commitment to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss at global,regional,and local levels by $2010$.

(D) : Dachigam National Park is located $22 \ km$ from Srinagar,Jammu and Kashmir. It is famous for the Hangul or Kashmiri stag,which is the most endangered species of red deer in the world. Snow leopards are typically found in high-altitude regions like Hemis National Park,not Dachigam. Therefore,this is the odd combination.

(C) In situ conservation refers to the conservation of species within their natural habitats.
This approach involves the protection and management of important components of biological diversity through a network of protected areas,such as National Parks,Wildlife Sanctuaries,and Biosphere Reserves.
Botanical gardens,on the other hand,are examples of ex situ conservation,where species are maintained outside their natural habitats.

(C) : Kaziranga National Park in Assam is famous for the conservation of the one-horned rhinoceros. The other options are incorrectly matched: The Great Indian bustard is found in Desert National Park,the Asiatic Lion is found in Gir National Park,and the Wild ass is found in the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary (Little Rann of Kutch).

(B) The Keoladeo National Park,formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary,is a famous avifauna sanctuary located in Bharatpur,Rajasthan,India. It is a $UNESCO$ World Heritage Site and is well-known for its rich biodiversity,particularly as a wintering ground for migratory birds.

(D) Sacred groves are forest fragments of varying sizes that are communally protected,which usually have a significant religious connotation for the protecting community.
According to the $NCERT$ textbook,sacred groves in India are found in:
$1$. Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya $(I)$
$2$. Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan $(II)$
$3$. Western Ghat regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra $(III)$
$4$. Sarguja,Chanda,and Bastar areas of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh $(IV)$
Therefore,all the listed regions are well-known examples of sacred groves in India. The correct option is $D$.

(B) The approach where threatened animals and plants are taken out from their natural habitat and placed in a special setting where they can be protected and given special care is known as $Ex$ $situ$ conservation.
In $Ex$ $situ$ conservation,organisms are maintained outside their natural habitats in facilities such as zoological parks,botanical gardens,wildlife safari parks,and seed banks.
In contrast,$In$ $situ$ conservation involves protecting the entire ecosystem and its biodiversity within their natural habitat (e.g.,National parks,Biosphere reserves,and Wildlife sanctuaries).

(A) Ex situ conservation involves the protection of species outside their natural habitats.
$A$. National parks are a form of In situ conservation,where species are protected within their natural habitats.
$B$. Zoological parks are Ex situ conservation sites where animals are kept in captivity for protection and education.
$C$. Botanical gardens are Ex situ conservation sites for plants.
$D$. Wildlife safari parks are also considered Ex situ conservation as they are managed environments outside the natural habitat.
Therefore,National parks are not related to Ex situ conservation.

(C) $Ex-situ$ conservation refers to the conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats.
In $ex-situ$ conservation, threatened animals and plants are taken out from their natural habitat and placed in special settings where they can be protected and given special care.
Examples include botanical gardens, zoological parks, wildlife safari parks, seed banks, and tissue culture centers.
Biosphere reserves, national parks, sanctuaries, and sacred groves are examples of $in-situ$ (on-site) conservation, where organisms are protected within their natural habitats.

(B) In situ conservation involves protecting species in their natural habitats.
$a$ - Sacred groves are traditional methods of in situ conservation where patches of forest are protected by local communities. This is correct.
$b$ - Zoological parks are examples of ex situ conservation,where animals are kept outside their natural habitats. This is incorrect.
$c$ - In situ conservation involves the legal protection of biodiversity-rich and ecologically unique regions (e.g.,National Parks,Wildlife Sanctuaries,Biosphere Reserves). This is correct.
Therefore,statements $a$ and $c$ are correct.

(C) As of the latest data provided by the National Wildlife Database Cell of the Wildlife Institute of India,there are $106$ national parks in India.
Since the original options provided were outdated or incorrect based on current records,$106$ is the accurate figure for the current count of national parks in India.

(A) Conservation strategies are mainly divided into two types: $In-situ$ (on-site) and $Ex-situ$ (off-site) conservation.
$In-situ$ conservation involves protecting the entire ecosystem and its biodiversity within its natural habitat (e.g.,National Parks,Wildlife Sanctuaries,Biosphere Reserves).
$Ex-situ$ conservation involves placing threatened animals and plants in special settings outside their natural habitat for protection and breeding (e.g.,Zoological parks,Botanical gardens,Seed banks,Tissue culture).
Therefore,zoological parks and botanical gardens are examples of $Ex-situ$ conservation.

(D) According to the National Wildlife Database maintained by the Wildlife Institute of India $(WII)$,there are approximately $448$ wildlife sanctuaries in India. Wildlife sanctuaries are protected areas where human activities like harvesting timber,collection of minor forest products,and private ownership of land are allowed under certain conditions,unlike National Parks.

(A) In India,sacred groves are tracts of forest which are regenerated around places of worship and are held in high esteem by tribal communities. These areas are protected by the local people and are rich in biodiversity. The Khasi and Jaintia hills in Meghalaya are well-known examples of sacred groves,where the last refuges for a large number of rare and threatened plants are found.

(D) $Ex-situ$ conservation refers to the conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats.
$1$. $Herbarium$ is a collection of preserved plant specimens used for study,which is a form of $ex-situ$ conservation.
$2$. $Wildlife$ $safari$ $parks$ are managed areas where animals are kept outside their natural habitats for conservation and education.
$3$. $Botanical$ $gardens$ are institutions holding documented collections of living plants for the purposes of scientific research,conservation,display,and education.
Since all the options listed ($Herbarium$,$Wildlife$ $safari$ $parks$,and $Botanical$ $gardens$) represent methods where organisms are conserved outside their natural habitats,they are all examples of $ex-situ$ conservation.

(B) As of the latest data from the Ministry of Environment,Forest and Climate Change,India has $18$ designated biosphere reserves. These reserves are established to protect the biological diversity and cultural heritage of specific regions.

(B) Cryopreservation is a technique used to preserve gametes, seeds, embryos, and tissues of threatened or endangered species at very low temperatures, typically in liquid nitrogen at $-196^{\circ}C$. This method allows for the long-term storage of biological material, which can be used for conservation and breeding programs in the future.

(D) The declaration of forests as sanctuaries or reserved areas serves multiple ecological purposes:
$1$. It prevents the destruction of natural habitats by restricting human activities like logging and encroachment.
$2$. It provides a safe environment for wildlife,ensuring their protection from poaching and habitat loss.
$3$. By preserving the ecosystem,it helps in maintaining the natural balance and species diversity within the region.
Therefore,all the given options are correct.

(A) The Ganges River Dolphin $(Platanista \text{ gangetica})$ is the national aquatic animal of India. It was officially designated as the national aquatic animal by the Government of India in $2009$ to save the species from extinction and to protect the river ecosystem.

(B) $Ranthambore$ National Park is a famous wildlife sanctuary and national park located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan,India. It is well-known for its population of Bengal tigers and is a significant site for biodiversity conservation in the region.

(A) Kaziranga National Park, located in the state of Assam, India, is world-famous for being the habitat of the one-horned rhinoceros $(Rhinoceros \text{ unicornis})$. It hosts two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceros population.

(B, D) The correct answer is $B$ and $D$.
$1$. Gir Forest is famous for the Asiatic Lion.
$2$. Sariska Tiger Reserve is primarily known for Tigers,not Elephants.
$3$. The Rann of Kutch (Wild Ass Sanctuary) is famous for the Indian Wild Ass $(Equus hemionus khur)$.
$4$. Kaziranga National Park is famous for the One-horned Rhinoceros,not the Musk Deer.
Since both $B$ and $D$ are incorrectly matched,the question contains multiple incorrect pairs.

(C) The correct pair is $C$. The Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is famous as the only habitat for the Indian Wild Ass ($Equus$ $hemionus$ $khur$).
- Gir Forest is famous for the Asiatic Lion,not the Tiger.
- Kaziranga National Park is famous for the One-horned Rhinoceros,not the Elephant.
- Banas Wildlife Sanctuary is not primarily known for the Musk Deer,which is typically found in high-altitude Himalayan regions.

(D) The full form of $MAB$ is $Man$ and $Biosphere$ Program.
It is an intergovernmental scientific program launched by $UNESCO$ in $1971$ to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.

(B) The most effective method for conserving biodiversity, including plant diversity, is $in-situ$ conservation.
$In-situ$ conservation involves protecting the entire ecosystem where the species naturally occur.
Biosphere reserves are large protected areas designed to conserve the ecosystem, species, and genetic diversity in their natural habitat.
In contrast, tissue culture, botanical gardens, and seed banks are examples of $ex-situ$ conservation, which are secondary methods used when natural habitats are threatened or destroyed.
Therefore, the establishment of biosphere reserves is the most effective approach for long-term conservation.

(D) The Biological Diversity Act in India was enacted by the Parliament in the year $2002$.
This act was established to provide for the conservation of biological diversity,sustainable use of its components,and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of biological resources,knowledge,and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

(D) Biodiversity hotspots are regions with high levels of species richness and a high degree of endemism,which are also under constant threat of habitat loss.
In India,the identified biodiversity hotspots are the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka,the Himalayas,the Indo-Burma region,and the Sundaland.
Among the given options,the Western Ghats is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot that faces significant environmental pressure and requires immediate conservation attention.

(D) The species $Beddomea nicobarica$ (a plant) and the Red panda $(Ailurus fulgens)$ are classified as endangered species in India.
$Beddomea nicobarica$ is a rare plant species found in the Nicobar Islands,and the Red panda is an endangered mammal native to the eastern Himalayas.

(D) The correct answer is $D$.
$1$. Sundarbans National Park is famous for the Bengal Tiger.
$2$. Periyar National Park is well-known for its elephant population.
$3$. The Rann of Kutch (Wild Ass Sanctuary) is the only habitat for the Indian Wild Ass.
$4$. Dachigam National Park is primarily famous for the Hangul (Kashmir Stag),not the Snow Leopard. Therefore,this pair is mismatched.

(B) The $Gir$ National Park, located in the state of $Gujarat$, is primarily known as the only natural habitat for the Asiatic lion $(Panthera leo persica)$.
In contrast, $Sundarbans$ (West Bengal), $Jim Corbett$ (Uttarakhand), and $Ranthambore$ (Rajasthan) are well-known tiger reserves in India that provide natural habitats for the Bengal tiger $(Panthera tigris tigris)$.

(D) $Ex-situ$ conservation involves the conservation of organisms outside their natural habitats.
Botanical gardens,field gene banks,and seed banks are all established methods of $Ex-situ$ conservation where plant species are maintained under controlled conditions.
Shifting cultivation is an agricultural practice,not a conservation method. In fact,it often leads to deforestation and loss of biodiversity.

(B) The $IUCN$ (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is the organization responsible for maintaining and publishing the Red List of Threatened Species.
This list provides comprehensive information on the global conservation status of plant,animal,and fungal species.
It serves as a critical indicator of the health of the world's biodiversity.

(A) $In-situ$ conservation refers to the protection of plants and animals within their natural habitats.
National Parks,Wildlife Sanctuaries,and Biosphere Reserves are all examples of $In-situ$ conservation.
Seed banks are examples of $Ex-situ$ conservation,where species are maintained outside their natural habitats.
Since the question asks for an example of $In-situ$ conservation,and options $A$,$C$,and $D$ are all correct,this is a multiple-choice question where $A$,$C$,and $D$ are valid. However,in many standard contexts,$National Park$ is the most frequently cited example.

(D) Many migratory birds from Siberia and other extremely cold northern regions migrate to warmer areas during the winter to survive. In India,the $Keoladeo$ $National$ $Park$ (formerly known as $Bharatpur$ $Bird$ $Sanctuary$) in Rajasthan is a famous destination for these migratory birds. They travel thousands of kilometers to reach this wetland habitat to escape the severe cold of their breeding grounds.

(A) The Red List,maintained by the $IUCN$ (International Union for Conservation of Nature),is a comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. Its primary purpose is to provide information and data on threatened species,helping to identify those at risk of extinction. Therefore,it focuses on the conservation status of various organisms,including plants,animals,and fungi,rather than being limited to specific categories like marine vertebrates or economic plants.