Endangered Species of India — Set 6

Correct Answer: B. Uttar Pradesh

The Barasingha or Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) is the state animal of Uttar Pradesh and is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Its name means 'twelve-tined' in Hindi. Three subspecies exist in India: the western (in Dudhwa), the central (in Kanha), and the eastern (in Kaziranga). The subspecies in Kanha was saved from extinction through a dedicated conservation program.

Correct Answer: C. About 100

India has approximately 100 Critically Endangered species on the IUCN Red List, including mammals like the Pygmy Hog, Malabar Large-spotted Civet, Kondana Soft-furred Rat, and birds like the Great Indian Bustard, Forest Owlet, and Sociable Lapwing. India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world, with high biodiversity leading to correspondingly high numbers of threatened species. The exact number changes with each IUCN update.

Correct Answer: B. 100,000

The Snow Leopard's range in India covers approximately 100,000 sq km across the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. India launched Project Snow Leopard in 2009 to conserve this species and its high-altitude habitat. India is believed to host about 400–700 snow leopards, representing a significant share of the global population estimated at 4,000–6,500.

Correct Answer: B. Captive breeding and release

The Gharial Conservation Programme in India primarily uses captive breeding and release as its main strategy. Eggs are collected from river banks, incubated, and hatchlings raised in captivity at centers like the Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre in Lucknow. Juvenile gharials are then released into protected river stretches, primarily in the Chambal and Ganga rivers. Despite these efforts, the wild population remains critically low.

Correct Answer: A. 1969

The first All India Tiger Census was conducted in 1972 under Project Tiger, but organized wildlife census efforts in India date to the early years after independence. The first structured census methodologies for large mammals were developed in the late 1960s and 1970s. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 provided the legal framework for systematic wildlife monitoring that led to standardized censuses across India.

Correct Answer: A. Dhole

The Dhole (Cuon alpinus), also known as the Asiatic Wild Dog or Indian Wild Dog, is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. In Northeast India, dholes are found in forested areas of states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur. Globally, dholes inhabit the forests of South, East, and Southeast Asia, with the population declining due to habitat loss, depletion of prey base, and persecution.

Correct Answer: C. Indian Rhino Vision 2020

Indian Rhino Vision 2020 was a conservation program launched in 2005 with the goal of increasing the greater one-horned rhinoceros population to at least 3,000 in Assam by 2020. The program involved translocation of rhinos from Kaziranga to other suitable habitats like Manas, Orang, and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. While the 3,000 target was not fully met, the program significantly expanded the rhino's range in Assam.

Correct Answer: B. Conservation of both river and sea dolphins

Project Dolphin was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2020, and covers both Gangetic/Indus River Dolphins and oceanic dolphins. This is analogous to Project Tiger and Project Elephant. The project focuses on conservation of dolphin habitats, reduction of human-dolphin conflict, and control of poaching. India's National Aquatic Animal, the Gangetic Dolphin, gets special attention under this project.

Correct Answer: C. Northeast India

The Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is found in the forests of Northeast India, particularly in states like Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The Clouded Leopard is an excellent climber and is also the state animal of Meghalaya. A separate species, the Sunda Clouded Leopard, is found in Southeast Asia.

Correct Answer: C. Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park in the Munnar area of Kerala is the primary protected area for the Nilgiri Tahr, hosting the world's largest known population of about 900 individuals. The park was established specifically for Nilgiri Tahr conservation in 1978. The park lies within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Nilgiri Tahr is classified as Endangered and is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.