Endangered Species of India — Set 11

Correct Answer: C. Vulnerable

The Indian Gaur (Bos gaurus), also called the Indian Bison, is the world's largest wild bovine and is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is found in forested areas of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia. In India, significant populations exist in the Western Ghats (Nagarhole, Bandipur, Mudumalai), Central India (Kanha, Melghat), and Northeast India.

Correct Answer: C. 3,682

The 2022 All India Tiger Estimation counted approximately 3,682 tigers, making India home to about 75% of the world's wild tiger population. This is a significant increase from 1,411 in 2006 when Project Tiger was re-energized. The census uses camera traps, pugmark tracking, and occupancy surveys. States with the most tigers include Madhya Pradesh (785), Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444).

Correct Answer: B. Highest density of tigers

Kaziranga National Park has the world's highest density of tigers, with approximately 121 tigers in the 430 sq km core area (as per the 2018 census), giving it the highest tiger density of any protected area in the world. It is also famous for having more than 70% of the world's one-horned rhinoceros population. Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 1985.

Correct Answer: C. Northeast India

The Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is India's only ape and is found in the rainforests of Northeast India, east of the Brahmaputra River, in states including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Meghalaya. It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Gibbons are the only apes found in South Asia and are known for their loud, melodious calls used for territory defense and pair bonding.

Correct Answer: C. 2002

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 was significantly amended in 2002 to strengthen provisions related to CITES implementation, create the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, enhance penalties for wildlife offenses, and include new categories of protected areas. The 2002 amendment made Schedule I violations punishable with a minimum imprisonment of 3 years and fine of Rs. 10,000. It also introduced the concept of community reserves.

Correct Answer: C. Trans-Himalayan region

The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco or Canis himalayensis) is recognized as a distinct evolutionary lineage found in the Trans-Himalayan regions of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. It is classified as Endangered by some assessments due to its small population and restricted range. The Himalayan Wolf hunts livestock, leading to significant human-wildlife conflict and retaliatory killings in mountain communities.

Correct Answer: B. Gangetic Dolphin

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), part of the Namami Gange Programme launched in 2015, directly benefits the Gangetic Dolphin by reducing water pollution, untreated sewage discharge, and industrial effluents in the Ganga river system. Dolphins serve as indicator species for river health. NMCG also works on reducing fishing net entanglement of dolphins and promotes awareness among fishing communities.

Correct Answer: B. 1986

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was established in 1986 as India's first biosphere reserve, covering parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It covers approximately 5,520 sq km and includes Protected Areas like Mudumalai, Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur, Mukurthi, and Silent Valley. It was recognized by UNESCO's MAB Programme in 2000. The reserve harbors significant populations of tigers, elephants, Nilgiri Tahr, and Nilgiri Langur.

Correct Answer: B. Vulture (Greek word)

'Gyps' is derived from the Greek word 'gups' meaning vulture. The genus Gyps includes all the Old World vultures that experienced catastrophic population crashes in South Asia due to Diclofenac poisoning. India's three most affected vultures — Gyps bengalensis (White-rumped), Gyps indicus (Indian), and Gyps tenuirostris (Slender-billed) — are all Critically Endangered. Vultures are critical ecosystem service providers, consuming carcasses and preventing spread of disease.

Correct Answer: C. 2019

India's first systematic Snow Leopard census using camera traps and occupancy surveys was conducted in 2019-2020 by the Wildlife Institute of India along with state forest departments. The census estimated India's snow leopard population at 718 individuals. The survey covered the high-altitude Himalayan regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. This was part of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP).