Forest Conservation Laws — Set 1

Correct Answer: B. Tropical Evergreen Forest

The Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri, are covered with tropical evergreen forests that receive very high annual rainfall exceeding 250 cm. These forests remain green throughout the year due to continuous rainfall and moisture. Examples include the Malabar rainforests where diverse species thrive.

Correct Answer: B. Tropical Deciduous

Tropical deciduous forests receive 200-250 cm rainfall annually and are characterized by trees that shed their leaves during the dry season to conserve water. These forests cover most of central India and include valuable timber species like teak and sal. The dry season adaptation helps trees survive water scarcity.

Correct Answer: A. Coastal salt marshes with halophytic vegetation

Mangrove forests are found in coastal salt marshes and tidal zones where freshwater and saltwater meet. These forests are characterized by halophytic (salt-tolerant) vegetation with specialized roots like prop roots and aerial roots. The Sundarbans in India is the world's largest mangrove forest, providing crucial habitat for tigers and other species.

Correct Answer: D. Present in tropical regions near equator

Temperate forests are found at higher altitudes and latitudes, not in tropical regions near the equator. They contain both deciduous trees that lose leaves seasonally and coniferous evergreens. These forests receive moderate rainfall of 50-100 cm annually and are found in regions with distinct seasons, such as parts of the Himalayas in India and temperate regions of North America.

Correct Answer: B. To conserve tiger population and establish protected habitats

Project Tiger was launched in 1973 with the primary objective of conserving the tiger population in India and establishing tiger reserves with protected habitats. This centrally-sponsored scheme created a network of tiger reserves to ensure the survival of the species. The project has been instrumental in recovering tiger numbers from critically endangered levels, with India now hosting the largest tiger population globally.

Correct Answer: C. 52

India has 52 tiger reserves as per the latest official count spread across multiple states. These reserves cover an area of over 70,000 square kilometers and are managed under Project Tiger. States like Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra have the highest number of tiger reserves, making India the home to approximately 70% of the world's wild tiger population.

Correct Answer: B. To conserve elephant habitat and prevent human-elephant conflict

Project Elephant was launched in 1992 with the main objective of conserving elephant populations and their habitats, and to prevent human-elephant conflicts. The scheme focuses on creating corridors for elephant movement between fragmented habitats and promoting coexistence between humans and elephants. It also aims to address issues like poaching, habitat degradation, and crop raiding through community involvement and forest management.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above

The one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephant, and Royal Bengal tiger are all endangered species found in Indian forests. The one-horned rhinoceros is mainly found in Assam's Kaziranga National Park and is listed as vulnerable. Asian elephants are found in forests of South India and North-East India. The Royal Bengal tiger is distributed across various tiger reserves and is listed as endangered globally, though India has made progress in its conservation.

Correct Answer: A. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species; to regulate trade in endangered species

CITES stands for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. It is an international agreement that regulates and monitors the trade in endangered plants and animals to prevent their exploitation. CITES classifies species into three appendices based on threat levels and controls their international trade accordingly. India is a signatory to CITES since 1976 and actively participates in its implementation to protect wildlife.

Correct Answer: B. Assam

Kaziranga National Park is located in Assam in northeastern India and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for the conservation of the one-horned rhinoceros and is home to more than 80% of the world's one-horned rhinoceros population. The park also protects other endangered species like Asian elephants, wild water buffaloes, and tigers, covering an area of about 430 square kilometers in the Brahmaputra Valley.