Q1. Consider the following statements regarding protected areas in India:
- Both state and central governments can notify any area of adequate ecological, faunal, or floral significance as a national park.
- No alteration of boundaries of national parks shall be made except on the recommendation of the National Wildlife Board.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
- Section 35, Wildlife Protection Act 1972 empowers state and central governments to notify national parks.
- Boundaries can only be altered after National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) recommendation.
Q2. With reference to the protected areas in India, consider the statements:
- Environment Protection Act, 1986 provides for the declaration of wildlife sanctuary and national parks.
- Wildlife sanctuaries enjoy greater protection than national parks.
- National parks prioritize biodiversity across species, while sanctuaries may focus on specific species.
How many statements are incorrect?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
- Statement 1 → Incorrect. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, not EPA 1986, governs sanctuaries & national parks.
- Statement 2 → Incorrect. National parks enjoy stricter protection than sanctuaries.
- Statement 3 → Correct. National parks = broader biodiversity; sanctuaries = species-specific in some cases.
Q3. Consider the statements:
- Wildlife Protection Act includes provisions for rehabilitation of forest dwellers in protected areas.
- An officer appointed by the central government determines the nature and extent of rights over the land.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
- Sections 35 & 36, WPA 1972: provision for rehabilitation of affected forest dwellers.
- Officer → appointed to determine rights of inhabitants prior to notification.
Q4. Consider the statements:
- State wildlife board advises the state government on management and selection of protected areas.
- National Wildlife Board can recommend setting up protected areas.
- Any person can enter or reside in sanctuaries or national parks after approval of the State Board.
(a) 2 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 2
Explanation:
- NBWL → central advisory body; cannot grant individual entry permissions.
- Entry/residence in protected areas is highly regulated, generally prohibited unless specifically allowed under research or eco-tourism regulations.
Q5. Consider the statements:
- Community and conservation reserves emerged from 2003 WPA amendment.
- Community reserve → state-owned, adjacent to protected areas for biodiversity protection.
- Conservation reserves → privately owned.
- Residents of conservation reserves are unrestricted.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 and 4 only
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
- Community reserves → participatory conservation, often on community lands.
- Conservation reserves → state-owned lands; private ownership is usually not included.
- Residents are subject to regulations for habitat protection.
