Q1. With reference to Tiger Reserves in India (as of 2026), consider the following statements:
- Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam remains the largest by total area (~3,728 sq km).
- Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla is the third largest.
- Sundarbans expansion made it the second largest.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
A. Only One
B. Only Two
C. Only Three
D. None
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
S1. Nagarjunsagar–Srisailam remains the largest (~3,728 sq km). — Correct
- Spread across Andhra Pradesh & Telangana.
- Largest Tiger Reserve by total notified area (core + buffer).
- Located in Nallamala Hills along Krishna River.
S2. Guru Ghasidas–Tamor Pingla is the third largest. — Incorrect
- Located in Chhattisgarh.
- It is among the largest, but rankings fluctuate due to re-notifications and boundary rationalisation.
- Not consistently the “third largest” — UPSC trap on dynamic rankings.
S3. Sundarbans expansion made it the second largest. — Incorrect
- Sundarbans is large but not second largest by area.
- Its importance is ecological (mangrove delta), not size ranking.
Q2. Which of the following ecosystems is uniquely associated with the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve?
A. Tropical rainforests
B. Mangrove forests
C. Alpine meadows
D. Thorn forests
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
- Sundarbans = world’s largest mangrove ecosystem.
- Located in Ganga–Brahmaputra–Meghna delta.
- Characterised by:
- Salt-tolerant vegetation (halophytes)
- Tidal waterways & mudflats
- Human–tiger interface conflicts
Q3. Assertion (A): Core areas in Tiger Reserves are inviolate and free from human activity.
Reason (R): They are designated to ensure long-term tiger breeding and habitat integrity.
Choose the correct answer.
A. Both A and R are correct and R explains A
B. Both A and R are correct but R does not explain A
C. A is correct but R is incorrect
D. A is incorrect but R is correct
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Assertion (A) — Correct
- Core areas are inviolate:
- No commercial forestry
- No grazing, hunting, or settlement expansion
- Only conservation & research permitted
Reason (R) — Correct
- Objective:
- Secure breeding population
- Maintain prey base
- Preserve ecological integrity
Why R explains A ?
- Inviolate status exists because breeding success requires minimal disturbance.
Q4. Which Tiger Reserve is associated with the Nallamala Hills and spans two states?
A. Simlipal
B. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
C. Manas
D. Kaziranga
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
- Spans Telangana & Andhra Pradesh.
- Landscape features:
- Dry deciduous forests
- Deep gorges of Krishna River
- Important corridor for:
- Tigers
- Leopards
- Sloth bears
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a form of symbiotic interaction?
A. Mutualism
B. Commensalism
C. Parasitism
D. Predation
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
Symbiosis = close & long-term interaction between species
- Mutualism ✔
- Both benefit
- e.g., Lichens
- Commensalism ✔
- One benefits, other neutral
- e.g., Remora & shark
- Parasitism ✔
- Parasite benefits, host harmed
- e.g., Tapeworm
- Predation ✘
- Predator kills prey
- Short-term trophic interaction
- Not a symbiotic association
