Endangered Species of India — Set 2

Correct Answer: B. Floating phumdis of Loktak Lake

The Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii) is found exclusively on the floating biomass islands called 'phumdis' in Loktak Lake, Manipur. It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is the state animal of Manipur. Keibul Lamjao National Park, established in 1977, is the world's only floating national park and the sole natural habitat of the Sangai.

Correct Answer: B. Dugong

The Dugong (Dugong dugon) is an endangered marine mammal sometimes called 'sea cow' because it grazes on seagrass. It is classified as Vulnerable globally on the IUCN Red List. In India, small populations are found in the Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu), Gulf of Kutch, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Dugong Conservation Reserve in Tamil Nadu was India's first Dugong Conservation Reserve.

Correct Answer: C. Endangered

The Dhole (Cuon alpinus), also called the Indian Wild Dog or Asiatic Wild Dog, is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is a highly social predator that hunts in packs and is found in forested habitats across South and Southeast Asia. In India, dholes are found in protected areas across the Western Ghats, Central India, and Northeast India.

Correct Answer: A. Schedule I

The Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, providing it the highest level of legal protection. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List but was once severely depleted due to poaching. It is the state animal of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, and notable populations exist in Velavadar (Gujarat) and Tal Chhapar (Rajasthan).

Correct Answer: C. Tamil Nadu

The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is the state animal of Tamil Nadu. It is an ungulate endemic to the southern Western Ghats, found in the Nilgiri Hills, Anaimalai Hills, and Palani Hills. Eravikulam National Park in Kerala holds the largest known population of Nilgiri Tahr.

Correct Answer: C. Western Ghats

The Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is endemic to the Western Ghats of South India. It is distinguished by its black body and silver-white mane. The total population is estimated at fewer than 4,000 individuals, with significant populations in Silent Valley National Park and Anaimalai Tiger Reserve.

Correct Answer: B. Geneva, Switzerland

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The convention was agreed upon in Washington D.C. in 1963 at an IUCN meeting and entered into force on July 1, 1975. It regulates international trade in wildlife through a permit system with three appendices (I, II, III) based on species' conservation status.

Correct Answer: B. Completely banned except for non-commercial purposes

CITES Appendix I lists species threatened with extinction, and commercial trade in these species is completely banned. Only non-commercial trade (such as scientific research) is permitted under exceptional circumstances with both import and export permits. Examples include Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Asian Elephant, Snow Leopard, and Gharial — all key Indian species listed under CITES Appendix I.

Correct Answer: B. 1964

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species was established in 1964 and is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) was itself founded in 1948. The Red List uses a set of quantitative criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species, and it has nine categories ranging from Extinct to Least Concern.

Correct Answer: C. 9

The IUCN Red List has nine categories: Extinct (EX), Extinct in the Wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC), Data Deficient (DD), and Not Evaluated (NE). Species in the categories CR, EN, and VU are collectively referred to as 'Threatened.' The criteria consider population size, decline rate, geographic range, and quantitative analysis.