MCQs on the topic “Conservation of Endangered Species in India: Policy and Challenges”

1. Which of the following is the primary legislation aimed at wildlife conservation in India?

• A) Forest Conservation Act, 1980
• B) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
• C) Environment Protection Act, 1986
• D) National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
• Answer: B) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

2. What is the main objective of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

• A) To regulate wildlife trade
• B) To create wildlife sanctuaries and national parks
• C) To conserve and protect wild animals and birds
• D) To promote eco-tourism in protected areas
• Answer: C) To conserve and protect wild animals and birds

3. The ‘Project Tiger’ was launched in India in which year?

• A) 1972
• B) 1973
• C) 1974
• D) 1975
• Answer: B) 1973

4. Which species is NOT considered critically endangered in India?

• A) Bengal Tiger
• B) Indian Lion
• C) Siberian Crane
• D) Snow Leopard
• Answer: D) Snow Leopard

5. Which of the following is the key factor contributing to the endangerment of species in India?

• A) Deforestation and habitat loss
• B) Poaching and illegal hunting
• C) Climate change
• D) All of the above
• Answer: D) All of the above

6. What is the purpose of the ‘National Wildlife Action Plan’ (NWAP) in India?

• A) To regulate wildlife trade
• B) To ensure the conservation of endangered species
• C) To promote wildlife tourism
• D) To expand the area under forest cover
• Answer: B) To ensure the conservation of endangered species

7. Which of the following protected areas is designated for the conservation of rhinos in India?

• A) Jim Corbett National Park
• B) Kaziranga National Park
• C) Sunderbans Mangrove Forest
• D) Bandipur National Park
• Answer: B) Kaziranga National Park

8. Which Indian state is home to the largest population of Asiatic Lions?

• A) Uttar Pradesh
• B) Madhya Pradesh
• C) Gujarat
• D) Maharashtra
• Answer: C) Gujarat

9. The Red Data Book, published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), primarily provides information on:

• A) Endangered species
• B) Protected areas in India
• C) Forest reserves and sanctuaries
• D) International wildlife trade
• Answer: A) Endangered species

10. Which animal is the focus of the ‘Project Snow Leopard’ in India?

• A) Indian Elephant
• B) Snow Leopard
• C) Bengal Tiger
• D) Asiatic Lion
• Answer: B) Snow Leopard

11. Which Indian government body is responsible for implementing the National Wildlife Action Plan?

• A) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• B) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• C) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
• D) National Board for Wildlife
• Answer: A) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

12. The Indian government has declared which species as the national animal of India?

• A) Elephant
• B) Tiger
• C) Peacock
• D) Lion
• Answer: B) Tiger

13. Which of the following is NOT a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

• A) Indian Bison
• B) Bengal Tiger
• C) Indian Cobra
• D) Peafowl
• Answer: D) Peafowl

14. What is the key objective of the ‘Biosphere Reserves’ in India?

• A) To provide recreational spaces for tourists
• B) To conserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance
• C) To protect only endangered species
• D) To promote logging activities
• Answer: B) To conserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance

15. Which of the following wildlife sanctuaries is located in Rajasthan?

• A) Sunderbans
• B) Sariska Tiger Reserve
• C) Nanda Devi Sanctuary
• D) Nagarhole National Park
• Answer: B) Sariska Tiger Reserve

16. Which one of these is the biggest challenge to conservation efforts in India?

• A) Lack of awareness among the public
• B) Excessive government funding
• C) Overemphasis on wildlife tourism
• D) Industrialization and urbanization
• Answer: D) Industrialization and urbanization

17. Which of the following is a major threat to the survival of the Indian rhinoceros?

• A) Climate change
• B) Habitat fragmentation
• C) Poaching for their horns
• D) Invasive species
• Answer: C) Poaching for their horns

18. The ‘Wetland Conservation Programme’ in India aims to protect which of the following?

• A) Forests
• B) Marine ecosystems
• C) Wetland ecosystems
• D) Wildlife sanctuaries
• Answer: C) Wetland ecosystems

19. What is the ‘Convention on Biological Diversity’ (CBD)?

• A) An international treaty to protect wildlife
• B) An agreement to promote eco-tourism
• C) A convention to conserve genetic resources, species, and ecosystems
• D) A government regulation to protect forests in India
• Answer: C) A convention to conserve genetic resources, species, and ecosystems

20. What is the primary goal of ‘Community-based Conservation’ in India?

• A) To increase national park areas
• B) To engage local communities in biodiversity conservation efforts
• C) To regulate wildlife trade
• D) To promote eco-tourism
• Answer: B) To engage local communities in biodiversity conservation efforts

21. Which of the following species is facing a major threat due to the illegal pet trade in India?

• A) Ganges River Dolphin
• B) King Cobra
• C) Indian Star Tortoise
• D) Sloth Bear
• Answer: C) Indian Star Tortoise

22. Which of the following is the main cause of habitat loss in India’s tiger reserves?

• A) Overgrazing by livestock
• B) Encroachment for agriculture and settlement
• C) Invasive plant species
• D) Climate change
• Answer: B) Encroachment for agriculture and settlement

23. Which of the following states in India is famous for the conservation of the Himalayan Monal?

• A) Himachal Pradesh
• B) Uttar Pradesh
• C) Uttarakhand
• D) Assam
• Answer: C) Uttarakhand

24. Which of the following is a key element in ensuring the success of endangered species conservation in India?

• A) Strict enforcement of anti-poaching laws
• B) Restricting all human activities in forest areas
• C) Only focusing on flagship species
• D) Banning all agricultural activities near reserves
• Answer: A) Strict enforcement of anti-poaching laws

25. What is the main reason for the decline of the Asiatic Lion population?

• A) Habitat loss due to human settlement
• B) Poaching for their fur
• C) Inbreeding and genetic bottleneck
• D) Disease outbreaks
• Answer: A) Habitat loss due to human settlement

26. Which international organization is responsible for compiling the ‘Red List’ of endangered species?

• A) World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
• B) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• C) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• D) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
• Answer: C) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

27. Which Indian state has implemented the ‘Van Mahotsav’ (Tree Plantation Day) to promote forest conservation?

• A) Tamil Nadu
• B) Gujarat
• C) Rajasthan
• D) Maharashtra
• Answer: D) Maharashtra

28. Which of the following is a key challenge in conservation efforts for the Great Indian Bustard?

• A) Overfishing
• B) Loss of habitat due to agriculture and infrastructure development
• C) Illegal hunting for feathers
• D) Climate change
• Answer: B) Loss of habitat due to agriculture and infrastructure development

29. Which species of tree is known for providing important habitat to many endangered species in India?

• A) Banyan tree
• B) Peepal tree
• C) Sandalwood tree
• D) Teak tree
• Answer: A) Banyan tree

30. The ‘Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act’ (2016) is aimed at compensating for:

• A) Illegal deforestation
• B) Habitat restoration
• C) Loss of forest land due to development projects
• D) Promoting eco-tourism in forests
• Answer: C) Loss of forest land due to development projects