Biodiversity and Wild Life Conservation Questions in English

(A) The $MAB$ (Man and the Biosphere) programme is an intergovernmental scientific programme launched by $UNESCO$ in $1971$.
Its primary goal is to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.

(A) The $Silent$ $Valley$ $National$ $Park$ is a national park located in the $Nilgiri$ hills in the $Palakkad$ district of $Kerala$,$India$.
It is famous for its rich biodiversity,including rare species of flora and fauna,and is a core part of the $Nilgiri$ $Biosphere$ $Reserve$.

(B) The $Silent \ Valley$ movement was a social movement aimed at the protection of the $Silent \ Valley$ evergreen forests in Kerala,India,from being destroyed by a hydroelectric project. Therefore,it is directly associated with the conservation of forests. In contrast,$Gir$,$Kaziranga$,and $Bharatpur$ are primarily known as National Parks or Sanctuaries for the conservation of specific wildlife species like lions,rhinos,and birds,respectively.

(C) The Government of India established the Biosphere Reserve program in $1986$ to protect larger areas of natural habitat than a typical national park or animal sanctuary,along with their buffer zones and peripheral areas. The first biosphere reserve to be established in India was the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

(C) The primary cause for the loss of biodiversity in tropical regions is the destruction of natural habitats,specifically deforestation.
Tropical rainforests are known as the 'lungs of the planet' and harbor a vast majority of the world's species.
Large-scale clearing of these forests for agriculture,cattle ranching,and logging leads to habitat fragmentation and loss,which directly results in a significant decline in species diversity.

(D) The plant species $Centella$,$Podophyllum$,and $Gloriosa$ are all extensively used for medicinal purposes. Due to human activities and over-exploitation,these plants are on the verge of extinction in their natural habitats. Therefore,the correct answer is 'All of the above'.

(D) Biosphere reserves are protected areas intended to conserve biodiversity and sustainable development.
However,they face significant threats from various human-induced activities.
$1$. Population growth leads to encroachment on forest lands and increased demand for resources.
$2$. Pollution from industrial,agricultural,and urban sources degrades the quality of soil,water,and air within these reserves,harming the flora and fauna.
While rains are a natural phenomenon,the other two factors are major anthropogenic threats. Since the question asks for threats,and both population growth and pollution are significant,the most appropriate choice in this context is $D$.

(D) $Indri indri$, commonly known as the Indri, is a large lemur species. Lemurs are primates that are endemic to the island of Madagascar. They are not found naturally in the wild anywhere else in the world.

(A) $Drosera \, indica$ is a carnivorous plant species that is considered endangered in certain regions due to habitat loss and environmental changes.
$One-horned \, Rhino$ and $Flying \, Squirrel$ are members of fauna, not flora.
Therefore, $Drosera \, indica$ is the correct answer.

(C) According to the $IUCN$ classification,species are categorized based on their risk of extinction.
$Vulnerable$ species are those that are likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the factors threatening their survival continue to operate.
These species are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future.

(C) The correct answer is $C$.
Taxa whose numbers have been reduced to a critical level or whose habitats have been so drastically reduced that they are deemed to be in immediate danger of extinction are called $Endangered$ $species$.
Examples include the lion-tailed macaque,crocodile,musk deer,and rhinoceros.

(D) The Red Data Book is a public document created by the International Union for Conservation of Nature $(IUCN)$ for recording endangered and rare species of animals,plants,and fungi as well as some local subspecies that are present within a particular region or country.
It includes categories such as Vulnerable,Threatened,and Endangered species to provide a comprehensive list of taxa facing different levels of extinction risk.
Therefore,all the listed categories are included in the Red Data Book.

(B) Similipal, located in the state of Odisha, is a prominent $Biosphere Reserve$ in India.
It is also designated as a $National Park$ and a $Tiger Reserve$.
Among the given options, it is most comprehensively classified as a $Biosphere Reserve$.

(C) The most effective way to conserve plant diversity is through $In-situ$ conservation,where species are protected in their natural habitats.
Biosphere reserves are large,multipurpose protected areas designed to conserve the genetic diversity of representative ecosystems,natural biomes,and unique biological communities.
Unlike $Ex-situ$ methods like tissue culture,botanical gardens,or seed banks,biosphere reserves allow for the natural evolution and ecological processes of the species to continue undisturbed.

(B) At high altitudes,many plants rely on birds for pollination. Orchids,in particular,often have specialized relationships with specific bird species for pollination. If birds become rare,the pollination of these plants is severely affected,leading to a decline in their population and eventual disappearance.

(A) An endangered species is a species which has been categorized as very likely to become extinct.
$A$. Hornbill (a bird) and Indian Aconite (a medicinal plant) are both listed as endangered species in various conservation assessments.
$B$. Indian peacock is not endangered,and Carrot Grass $(Parthenium)$ is an invasive weed.
$C$. Garden lizard is common,and Mexican poppy is an invasive weed.
$D$. Rhesus monkey is common,and Sal tree is a widely distributed forest tree.

(D) Wildlife conservation refers to the practice of protecting wild species and their habitats.
It encompasses the protection and preservation of all non-cultivated plants and non-domesticated animals that live in their natural environment.
Therefore,it is not limited to just ferocious animals or plants alone,but includes the entire biodiversity of an ecosystem.

(D) Wildlife conservation is essential for several reasons:
$1$. It helps in protecting endangered species from extinction,thereby maintaining biodiversity.
$2$. Wildlife plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem by regulating food chains and nutrient cycling.
$3$. Conserving wildlife and their habitats is vital for the overall health of the Earth's environment,as it ensures the stability of natural processes that support life.

(B) The Bhopal Gas Tragedy,also known as the Bhopal disaster,occurred on the night of $2-3$ December $1984$.
It was caused by the leakage of Methyl Isocyanate $(MIC)$ gas from the Union Carbide India Limited $(UCIL)$ pesticide plant in Bhopal,Madhya Pradesh.
It is considered one of the world's worst industrial disasters.

(A) World Environment Day is celebrated annually on $5^{th}$ June. This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in $1972$ during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment to raise global awareness and promote action for the protection of our environment.

(A) The Bombay Natural History Society $(BNHS)$ is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research.
Its official logo features the Great Hornbill ($Buceros$ $bicornis$).
Therefore,the Hornbill is the symbol of the $BNHS$.

(C) The 'Central Public Health Engineering Research Institute' $(CPHERI)$ was established in $1958$ at Nagpur,Maharashtra. It was later renamed as the 'National Environmental Engineering Research Institute' $(NEERI)$ in $1974$. It functions under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research $(CSIR)$ and focuses on environmental science and engineering research.

(B) The 'Central Ganga Authority' $(CGA)$ was established by the Government of India in $1985$ to oversee the implementation of the Ganga Action Plan $(GAP)$.
Its primary objective was to improve the water quality of the river Ganga by preventing pollution and ensuring the treatment of sewage and industrial effluents.

(B) lioness typically gives birth to a litter of $2$ to $3$ cubs at a time. While the number can vary based on environmental conditions and the health of the mother,$2$ to $3$ is considered the standard range for a healthy litter.

(C) The national bird of India is the Peacock,scientifically known as $Pavo$ $cristatus$. It was declared the national bird in $1963$ due to its wide distribution across the country and its cultural significance.

(B) The 'Dodo' ($Raphus$ $cucullatus$) was a flightless bird endemic to the island of Mauritius. It became extinct in the $17^{th}$ century primarily due to human activities. The main reason for its extinction was its extreme fearlessness towards humans and other introduced predators,which made it an easy target for hunting. Additionally,the destruction of its habitat and the introduction of invasive species like pigs,rats,and monkeys,which ate its eggs,contributed significantly to its rapid decline.

(C) The lion-tailed macaque ($Macaca$ $silenus$) is an endangered primate species endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.
It is restricted to the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats,specifically in regions including parts of Kerala (formerly Travancore),Karnataka (formerly Mysore),and Tamil Nadu.
Therefore,option $C$ is the correct answer.

(A) The scientific name of the Indian peacock is $Pavo \ cristatus$. It belongs to the family $Phasianidae$ and is the national bird of India. Other options represent different species: $Milvus \ migrans$ is the black kite,$Terpsiphone \ paradisi$ is the Asian paradise flycatcher,and $Passer \ domesticus$ is the house sparrow.

(D) The King Cobra $(Ophiophagus \text{ hannah})$ is the largest venomous snake found in India. It can grow up to $3-4 \text{ meters}$ in length. While the Common Cobra $(Naja \text{ naja})$ is also venomous, the King Cobra is significantly larger and is the longest venomous snake in the world.

(D) The $Cheetah$ $(Acinonyx jubatus)$ was declared extinct in India in $1952$ due to hunting and habitat loss. While recent reintroduction programs have brought some individuals to Kuno National Park, it is historically and ecologically recognized as the species that became extinct in the wild in India.

(C) Conservation efforts,particularly in the context of biodiversity and wildlife management,are primarily focused on protecting species that are at risk of extinction or likely to perish. While humans may protect animals for economic reasons,the core objective of modern wildlife conservation is to prevent the loss of biodiversity by safeguarding endangered and vulnerable species.

(C) The primary reason for the preservation of animal species is that once a species becomes extinct,it is lost forever. Humans do not possess the scientific capability or biological knowledge to recreate an extinct species from scratch. Therefore,conservation is essential to maintain the Earth's biodiversity and ecological balance.

(B) . The hippopotamus $(Hippopotamus) \text{ amphibius}$ is a large, semi-aquatic, herbivorous mammal with thick skin. It is native to the rivers, lakes, and wetlands of sub-Saharan Africa.

(B) The $Peacock$ ($Pavo$ $cristatus$) is well-known in nature for its ability to hunt and kill snakes, including venomous ones. It is often referred to as a natural predator of snakes in various ecosystems.

(A) The Rhesus monkey, scientifically known as $Macaca mulatta$, is the most widely distributed and commonly found primate in India. It belongs to the family $Cercopithecidae$ and is often used in biological and medical research due to its physiological similarities to humans.

(A) The Indian elephant belongs to the species $Elephas \ maximus$.
$Elephas \ africana$ is not a valid nomenclature,while $Loxodonta \ africana$ refers to the African elephant.
Therefore,the correct scientific name for the Indian elephant is $Elephas \ maximus$.

(D) Rhinoceroses are large herbivorous mammals belonging to the family $Rhinocerotidae$.
Currently,there are five extant species of rhinoceroses.
Two species,the White Rhino and the Black Rhino,are native to Africa.
Three species,the Greater One-Horned Rhino,the Javan Rhino,and the Sumatran Rhino,are native to Asia.
Therefore,rhinoceroses are found in both Africa and Asia.

(D) The zoological name of the leopard is $Panthera \text{ } pardus$.
$Panthera \text{ } tigris$ is the scientific name for the tiger.
$Panthera \text{ } leo$ is the scientific name for the lion.
$Panthera \text{ } uncia$ is the scientific name for the snow leopard.

(C) Brachiation is a form of arboreal locomotion in which primates swing from tree limb to tree limb using only their arms.
Spider monkeys $(Ateles)$ are well-known for their highly developed ability to brachiate,aided by their long,prehensile tails which act as a fifth limb for balance and support.
Therefore,the correct option is $C$.

(C) According to the $IUCN$ Red List $(2004)$ documents,more than $500$ vertebrate species are facing the threat of extinction.
Among the given options,$1000$ is the closest estimate provided in standard textbooks regarding the number of vertebrate species currently threatened with extinction.

(B) biosphere reserve is typically divided into three distinct zones:
$(i)$ Core zone: It is the innermost area where no human activity is permitted to ensure complete protection of the ecosystem.
(ii) Buffer zone: It surrounds the core zone,and limited human activities such as research,education,and training are permitted here.
(iii) Manipulation zone (or Transition zone): This is the outermost area where multiple human activities,such as settlements,cropping,and forestry,are allowed.
Therefore,limited human activity is permitted in the Buffer zone.

(A) The correct answer is $A$.
Spider monkeys (genus $Ateles$) are New World monkeys found in the tropical forests of Central and South America.
They are well-known for their long,strong,and highly flexible prehensile tails,which act as a 'fifth limb' to help them grasp branches and navigate through the forest canopy efficiently.

(A) Bandipur National Park,located in the state of Karnataka,was established in $1974$ as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger. It is one of the most prominent protected areas in India,known for its significant population of tigers and other wildlife.

(A) The most significant cause driving species to extinction is the alteration and destruction of natural habitats.
This process destroys essential breeding grounds,shelter,and food sources for various organisms.
As habitats shrink or disappear,populations become fragmented and unable to sustain themselves,leading to a decline in biodiversity.

(C) The "Red Data Book" is a public document created by the International Union for Conservation of Nature $(IUCN)$ for recording endangered and threatened species of plants and animals. It provides a comprehensive list of species that are at risk of extinction globally. Therefore, it contains records of both plants and animals.

(A) Species that inhabit different geographical areas and are separated by physical barriers are called $Allopatric$ species.
$Sympatric$ species are those that live in the same geographical area.
$Morphospecies$ are defined based on their morphological characteristics.
$Sibling$ species are morphologically identical but reproductively isolated.

(B) The giraffe $(Giraffa)$ is a large African hoofed mammal belonging to the genus $Giraffa$. They are primarily found in the $Savanna$ biome of Africa. The $Savanna$ is characterized by open grasslands with scattered trees,which provides the ideal habitat for giraffes to browse on leaves from tall trees like the $Acacia$.

(D) The survival of human beings is intrinsically linked to the health of the biosphere. While all the options listed contribute to environmental health,the most comprehensive and fundamental step is the 'Reduced utilization of resources' (Sustainable development). By reducing the consumption of natural resources,we minimize habitat destruction,pollution,and climate change,thereby ensuring long-term ecological balance and survival for humanity.

(B) The Great Indian Bustard $(Ardeotis \text{ nigriceps})$ is the state bird of Rajasthan. It is a large, terrestrial bird found primarily in the arid grasslands of the Thar Desert. It is currently listed as 'Critically Endangered' on the $IUCN$ Red List.

(A) In-situ conservation involves protecting species in their natural habitats.
$A$ National park is a protected area established by the government for the conservation of wildlife and their natural environment,making it an in-situ method.
Botanical gardens,tissue culture,and genetic engineering are examples of ex-situ conservation,where species are protected outside their natural habitats.