Endangered Species of India — Set 15
Forest & Wildlife · भारत की संकटग्रस्त प्रजातियां · Questions 141–150 of 180
Which endangered primate is found only in the Nicobar Islands of India?
Correct Answer: C. Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque
The Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus) is an endemic subspecies found only in the Nicobar Islands. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have high endemism with several endemic primates, reptiles, and birds. The Crab-eating Macaque or Long-tailed Macaque is the parent species, found across Southeast Asia. Island species tend to evolve in isolation and become highly specialized, making them vulnerable to habitat change and introduced predators.
The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) has how many specialist groups?
Correct Answer: C. About 150
The correct answer is 'About 150'. About 150 correctly answers the question about the iucn species survival commission (ssc) has how many specialist groups. This is an important fact in the topic of endangered and threatened species in India, which is regularly tested in competitive exams such as RRB NTPC, SSC CGL, UPSC, and state PSC examinations. A thorough understanding of endangered and threatened species in India helps candidates score well in the General Knowledge section.
The Indian Chameleon is found in India and is protected under which Schedule?
Correct Answer: C. Schedule IV
The Indian Chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus) is protected under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It is found in peninsular India and Sri Lanka. While not classified as globally threatened, it faces local pressure from the pet trade and habitat loss. Reptiles, amphibians, and many invertebrates in India are protected under various Schedules of the WPA, even if they are not among the most charismatic endangered species.
India's Global Tiger Forum (GTF) is headquartered in which city?
Correct Answer: B. New Delhi
The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) is an intergovernmental international body dedicated to the conservation of tigers, headquartered in New Delhi, India. It was founded in 1994 after the first International Symposium on Tiger Conservation. GTF facilitates cooperation among tiger range countries and advocates for tiger conservation at international forums. India, as the country with the largest tiger population, plays a leading role in GTF activities.
The Gharial's long, narrow snout is an adaptation for:
Correct Answer: B. Catching fish
The Gharial's long, thin snout (the longest and thinnest of all crocodilians) is perfectly adapted for catching fish, which makes up the majority of its diet. The narrow snout offers minimal water resistance when swung sideways to snap up fish. Male gharials develop a bulbous growth at the tip of the snout called a 'ghara' (pot in Hindi), which gives the species its name and is used for sound production and bubbles during courtship.
Which large herbivore, called the 'wild buffalo,' is found in India and is classified as Endangered?
Correct Answer: B. Wild Water Buffalo
The Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. In India, wild populations are found mainly in Assam (particularly in Kaziranga and Manas National Parks) and Chhattisgarh (Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve). The total wild population globally is estimated at fewer than 4,000 individuals. Genetic dilution from hybridization with domestic buffalo is a major concern for the Wild Water Buffalo's conservation.
The Tropical Rainforest of the Andaman Islands is part of which biodiversity hotspot?
Correct Answer: D. Sundaland Hotspot
The Nicobar Islands are part of the Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot, which extends from the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra through Borneo and Java. The Andaman Islands fall in a transitional zone between the Indo-Burma and Sundaland hotspots. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands collectively harbor extraordinary biodiversity with high endemism due to their geographic isolation — nearly 700 endemic species of plants and animals are found there.
Which is the largest terrestrial predator in India?
Correct Answer: A. Bengal Tiger
The Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the largest terrestrial predator in India, with males weighing up to 300 kg and measuring over 3 metres in length. Tigers are apex predators in their ecosystem and play a crucial role in regulating prey populations and maintaining ecosystem health. India's success in tiger conservation through Project Tiger and the Protected Area network has helped maintain viable tiger populations across the country.
The Purple Frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis), discovered in 2003, is endemic to which region?
Correct Answer: B. Western Ghats
The Purple Frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis) was discovered in 2003 in Kerala and is endemic to the Western Ghats. It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. This unique species spends most of its life underground and surfaces only during monsoon to breed — hence remaining undiscovered for so long. It is a 'living fossil' from the Mesozoic era and is the sole living representative of a 130-million-year-old lineage of frogs.
The 'Save Our Tigers' campaign was launched in India by which organization?
Correct Answer: B. Aircel Telecom and WWF-India
The 'Save Our Tigers' campaign was a high-profile wildlife conservation campaign launched jointly by Aircel Telecom and WWF-India in 2008-2009, targeting the Indian public's awareness about the decline in tiger numbers. The campaign successfully generated massive public interest and engagement through television, social media, and celebrity endorsements. It coincided with the period when India's tiger population was at a historical low, with census results showing only 1,411 tigers in 2006.