Q1. The Biosphere Reserve Network in India is managed by:
(a) Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
(b) Ministry of Agriculture
(c) Wildlife Institute of India
(d) Forest Survey of India
Answer: (a) Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
Explanation:
- MoEFCC → statutory authority for biosphere reserves and protected areas under WPA 1972 & Biological Diversity Act.
Q2. Which of the following is true about National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), India?
- Constituted under Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- Regulates access to biological resources and associated knowledge.
- Provides guidelines for benefit-sharing with local communities.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
- NBA → central regulatory body for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and equitable benefit-sharing.
Q3. Consider the statements regarding Endangered Species in India:
- Schedule I of WPA 1972 → maximum legal protection.
- Schedule II → species with moderate protection.
- Schedule III → species that can be hunted freely.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
- Schedule I → highest protection (e.g., tigers, elephants).
- Schedule II → lower protection, hunting prohibited but penalties less severe.
- Schedule III → still protected, hunting not permitted freely.
Q4. Coral reefs in India are primarily found in:
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep
- Gulf of Mannar
- Sundarbans
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) All of the above
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
- Coral reefs → tropical shallow marine waters.
- Sundarbans → mangrove ecosystem, not coral reef.
Q5. Which of the following statements are correct about Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)?
- ESZs are areas around protected areas notified under the Environment Protection Act.
- Certain human activities like mining, industrialization are prohibited inside ESZs.
- ESZs can be defined only by the central government, not state governments.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
- ESZ → buffer around protected areas for ecological protection.
- Certain activities regulated; both central and state governments can propose limits.
