Biodiversity Of India

The quality and demand for Shahtoosh shawls has led to the endangerment of which of the following species of the antelopes in India?

• Blackbuck

• Chiru (Tibetan Antelope)

• Tibetan Gazelle

• Musk Deer

Answer explanation

Shahtoosh or Shahtush is a fine wool made from the hair of Tibetan antelope or Chiru. The Shahtoosh shawl is now a banned item with possession and sale being illegal in most countries for the Chiru is an endangered species under CITES.

The Indravati National Park (INP) is located in which state?

• Chhattisgarh

• Punjab

• Karnataka

• Maharashtra

Answer explanation

Indravati National Park(1981) is among the finest and most famous wildlife parks of Chhattisgarh. It is one of three Project Tiger sites in Chhattisgarh and is home to one of the last remaining populations of the endangered wild water buffalo.

Which among the following international treaty or protocol bans all mining in Antarctica, designating the continent as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science? 

• Antarctica Treaty System

• Antarctic Conservation Act

• CRAMRA

• Antarctic-Environmental Protocol

Answer explanation

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol is also known as Madrid Protocol

The National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary, which is one of the large eco-reserves of the country is co administered by which among the following states?

• Rajasthan & Uttar Pradesh

• Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh

• Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh

• Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh

Answer explanation

National Chambal Sanctuary is a tri-state (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh) protected area in Northern India. It aims at the protection of the Critically Endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle and the Endangered Ganges river dolphin.

Which of the following is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia?

• Chilka Lake

• Loktak Lake

• Wular Lake

• Nal Sarovar

Answer explanation

In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Which among the following area in India has the largest number of endemic plant species?

• Gangetic plains

• Western Ghats

• Himalayas

• Central India

Answer explanation

Endemic plants are exclusively and uniquely native to a place, biome, or region. Largest number of endemic plant species in India are found in the Himalayan Region which extends from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh through Sikkim, Bhutan, Meghalaya & Nagaland.

Which of the following is a Biodiversity Hotspot?

• Decan Plateau

• Western Ghats

• Tibetan Plateau

• Thar Desert

Answer explanation

The Western Ghats are a mountain range running parallel along the western coast of India starting from Gujarat and ending in Tamil Nadu covering the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. It is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Consider the following statement (s) related to the biodiversity hotspot. I. It is an area with unusual concentration of species, many of which are endemic.

II. It is marked by serious threat to its biodiversity by humans.

• I is true

• II is the correct statement.

• Both I and II are correct.

• Neither I nor II is correct.

Answer explanation

To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria:

It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics — which is to say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet.

A hotspot, in other words, is irreplaceable.

It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation. In other words, it must be threatened.

Bannerghatta National Park is situated in …………..

• Assam

• Kerala

• Karnataka

• Maharashtra

Out of the 81,000 animal species so far described from India, Invertebrates have a lion’s share with about 68,000 organisms and microorganisms. In this context, consider the following: 

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 

Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 

Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Which among the above emphasize(s) upon conservation of the Invertebrates?

• 1 only

• 2 only

• 1&3

• 3 only