IUCN Categories & Biodiversity — Set 3
Forest & Wildlife · IUCN श्रेणियां और जैव विविधता · Questions 21–30 of 121
The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) is listed under which IUCN Red List category?
Correct Answer: C. Vulnerable (VU)
The Snow Leopard was downlisted from Endangered to Vulnerable (VU) in 2017 based on improved population estimates showing more than 10,000 mature individuals. However, it still faces threats from poaching, retaliatory killing, and climate change affecting its alpine habitat. India's Snow Leopard Population Assessment (SPAI 2023) estimated around 718 snow leopards in India.
The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) is listed under which IUCN Red List category?
Correct Answer: D. Endangered (EN)
The Red Panda is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List, with a declining population of fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. It inhabits the Eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, facing threats from deforestation, poaching, and climate change. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling has a successful Red Panda breeding program.
The Dugong (Dugong dugon) found in Indian waters is listed under which IUCN category?
Correct Answer: C. Vulnerable (VU)
The Dugong is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List globally, though it is extremely rare in Indian waters, found mainly in the Gulf of Mannar and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is the only exclusively marine herbivorous mammal. India launched a Dugong Conservation Reserve in the Gulf of Mannar in 2022.
The Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is listed under which IUCN Red List category?
Correct Answer: D. Endangered (EN)
The Wild Water Buffalo is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 4,000 individuals remaining in the wild. In India, it is found mainly in Kaziranga, Manas, and Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh. Hybridization with domestic buffalo is one of the major threats to genetic purity of wild populations.
The Gaur (Bos gaurus), India's largest wild cattle, is listed under which IUCN category?
Correct Answer: D. Vulnerable (VU)
The Gaur (Indian Bison) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, with a declining population due to habitat loss, hunting, and disease transmission from domestic cattle. India holds the largest population of wild Gaur, found in forests of Central, South, and Northeast India. It is the largest extant bovine species in the world.
The Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) is listed under which IUCN Red List category?
Correct Answer: C. Vulnerable (VU)
The Sloth Bear is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated population of fewer than 20,000 individuals remaining in South Asia. It is found across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. The species faces threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching for body parts, and capture for dancing bear performances (now banned in India).
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed at which conference?
Correct Answer: B. Rio Earth Summit 1992
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was opened for signature at the Rio Earth Summit (UNCED) in June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and entered into force on December 29, 1993. It has three main objectives: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. India ratified the CBD in 1994.
What are the three main objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?
Correct Answer: B. Conservation, Sustainable Use, Benefit Sharing
The three main objectives of the CBD are: (1) Conservation of biological diversity, (2) Sustainable use of its components, and (3) Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. These three pillars guide national and international biodiversity policy. The Secretariat of the CBD is located in Montreal, Canada.
The Nagoya Protocol, related to biodiversity, was adopted in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 2010
The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) was adopted in 2010 at the 10th Conference of Parties (COP10) to the CBD in Nagoya, Japan. It entered into force on October 12, 2014. India ratified the Nagoya Protocol in 2012 and amended the Biological Diversity Act to align with its provisions.
What is the full form of ABS in the context of the Nagoya Protocol?
Correct Answer: B. Access and Benefit Sharing
ABS stands for Access and Benefit Sharing, which is the core principle of the Nagoya Protocol. It ensures that countries and communities that provide genetic resources receive a fair share of benefits derived from their use. This is particularly important for traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources held by indigenous and local communities.