Endangered Species of India — Set 5

Correct Answer: A. Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh

The Great Indian Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) is the state bird of both Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is found in the forests of the Western Ghats and Northeast India. The Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, though named after the wreathed hornbill, celebrates all hornbill species and their cultural significance to tribal communities.

Correct Answer: C. Ganga

The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar, established in 1991, is India's only dedicated Gangetic Dolphin sanctuary. It covers a 60 km stretch of the Ganga between Sultanganj and Kahalgaon. The Gangetic Dolphin is India's National Aquatic Animal and is classified as Endangered. The sanctuary also hosts migratory birds and other aquatic species.

Correct Answer: C. 674

The 2020 Asiatic Lion Census counted 674 lions in the Greater Gir Landscape of Gujarat, a significant increase from 523 in 2015. The 2020 count found lions spread across an area of approximately 30,000 sq km, beyond just the Gir Forest. This represents a doubling of the population since the early 1990s, demonstrating the success of conservation programs in Gir.

Correct Answer: C. Sangai

The Brow-antlered Deer is another name for the Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii), the state animal of Manipur. It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is also known as the Manipur Brow-antlered Deer or Dancing Deer. It lives exclusively on the phumdis (floating islands of matted vegetation) of Loktak Lake and is protected in Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Correct Answer: A. Brahmaputra

Kaziranga National Park is located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Assam. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and houses more than 70% of the world's greater one-horned rhinoceros population. The park also has significant populations of tigers, elephants, wild buffaloes, and swamp deer. It was established as a protected area in 1908 and became a National Park in 1974.

Correct Answer: A. Rusty-spotted Cat

The Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) is one of the world's smallest wild cats and is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. However, some Indian sources often highlight the Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), which is Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The Fishing Cat is associated with wetland habitats and is the state animal of West Bengal.

Correct Answer: B. Dehradun

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. It was established in 1982 and provides training to wildlife managers, conducts research, and advises the government on conservation policy. WII is involved in monitoring programs for tigers, elephants, snow leopards, and other species.

Correct Answer: B. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand

The Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) is found in the high-altitude regions of Jammu and Kashmir (especially Dachigam, Kishtwar), Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The Himalayan Brown Bear is the largest carnivore in the Himalayas and faces threats from habitat encroachment, poaching, and conflict with livestock herders.

Correct Answer: A. Ganga and Chambal

The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and primarily nests on sandbars along the Ganga, Chambal, Son, and Mahanadi rivers. It has a distinctive blade-like lower mandible for skimming the water surface to catch fish. The National Chambal Sanctuary is an important nesting site for both the Indian Skimmer and the Gharial.

Correct Answer: C. Karnataka

Karnataka has the highest number of Elephant Reserves in India, with five out of the 33 designated Elephant Reserves. Karnataka also has significant elephant populations in areas like Nagarhole, Bandipur, Bhadra, and BR Hills. The state shares important elephant corridors with Tamil Nadu and Kerala, making the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve a critical landscape for Indian elephants.