Endangered Species of India — Set 4

Correct Answer: C. Rajasthan

The Indian Bustard Conservation Centre is located at Desert National Park in Rajasthan, which is the core habitat of the Great Indian Bustard. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) along with state forest departments are involved in conservation breeding programs for this Critically Endangered bird. The Supreme Court in 2021 directed authorities to develop a captive breeding program as an emergency measure to save the species.

Correct Answer: B. Kanha-Pench Corridor

The Kanha-Pench Wildlife Corridor in Madhya Pradesh is essential for maintaining genetic diversity and allowing tiger movement between two major tiger reserves. Wildlife corridors are strips of natural habitat connecting fragmented protected areas, enabling animal dispersal and gene flow. India has identified over 30 critical wildlife corridors, and their protection is essential for long-term survival of large mammals including tigers and elephants.

Correct Answer: B. Endangered

The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is India's National Aquatic Animal (declared 2009) and is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system. Key threats include entanglement in fishing nets, water pollution, river traffic, and construction of dams and barrages that fragment their habitat.

Correct Answer: C. Arribada

The mass nesting event of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles is called 'Arribada,' a Spanish word meaning 'arrival by sea.' During Arribada, hundreds of thousands of female turtles come ashore simultaneously to nest on a beach. India's Gahirmatha Beach in Odisha, Rushikulya estuary, and Devi river mouth are among the world's most important Arribada sites, attracting global scientific interest.

Correct Answer: A. Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers in India as per the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation, with approximately 785 tigers, earning it the title 'Tiger State of India.' Karnataka comes second with about 563 tigers. The 2022 census showed India's total tiger count at approximately 3,682, reflecting successful conservation under Project Tiger.

Correct Answer: B. Leatherback Turtle

The Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the world's largest turtle, classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. In India, it nests on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly in Great Nicobar. Unlike other sea turtles, it lacks a hard shell and instead has a leathery carapace. It is named for its unique skin and ridge structure and feeds primarily on jellyfish.

Correct Answer: C. 1992

Project Elephant was launched by the Government of India in 1992 to protect elephants, their habitats, and corridors. It also aims to address issues of human-elephant conflict and welfare of domesticated elephants. The project covers 33 Elephant Reserves spread across 14 states, and the Elephant Task Force was set up in 2010 to review its implementation and recommend further measures.

Correct Answer: D. Endangered

The Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Pangolins are the world's most trafficked mammals, and all eight pangolin species are listed on CITES Appendix I. Indian Pangolin and Chinese Pangolin are both found in India, with the Chinese Pangolin also occurring in the northeast. They are heavily poached for their scales used in traditional medicine.

Correct Answer: B. Nepal

The Terai Arc Landscape spans the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India and Nepal, covering about 49,500 sq km. It connects 14 protected areas including Corbett, Rajaji, Dudhwa, Valmiki, and Bardia in Nepal, creating a contiguous habitat for tigers, elephants, rhinos, and other wildlife. WWF-India and WWF-Nepal have been working together to maintain this landscape.

Correct Answer: B. Sasan Gir National Park

Sasan Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat is the last natural habitat of the Asiatic Lion. Also known as Gir Forest, the park covers about 1,412 sq km. The lion population here grew from about 177 in 1968 to 674 in 2020, demonstrating the success of conservation efforts. The Asiatic Lion is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.