Forest Conservation Laws — Set 2

Correct Answer: B. To recognize and protect the rights of tribal communities and forest dwellers over forest resources

The Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 is a landmark legislation designed to recognize and protect the rights of tribal communities and forest dwellers to own, use, and manage forest resources. The Act acknowledges the traditional relationship between indigenous communities and forests, granting them individual and community forest rights. It also provides provisions for habitat restoration rights for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and aims to correct the historical injustice of denying these communities their forest rights.

Correct Answer: B. An area designated to protect biodiversity with core, buffer and transition zones; Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

A biosphere reserve is an internationally designated area that protects biodiversity and promotes sustainable development. It comprises three zones: a core area with strict protection, a buffer zone for controlled human activity, and a transition zone for sustainable use. India's first biosphere reserve was Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve established in 1986, covering parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. It includes the Western Ghats and protects diverse ecosystems with over 4,000 species of plants and 2,000 animals.

Correct Answer: B. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body that operates Project Tiger and oversees tiger conservation across India. Established in 2006, the NTCA coordinates with state governments, wildlife experts, and local communities to implement tiger conservation policies. The authority monitors tiger population, manages tiger reserves, addresses human-wildlife conflict, and works to strengthen anti-poaching measures and habitat protection across all tiger reserves in India.

Correct Answer: B. Routes connecting fragmented habitats allowing wildlife movement between protected areas

Wildlife corridors are pathways or routes that connect fragmented and isolated habitats, allowing wildlife to move safely between different protected areas and ecosystems. These corridors are crucial for maintaining genetic diversity, allowing animals to find food and mates, and facilitating natural migration patterns. In India, projects like the elephant corridors in the Western Ghats and the tiger corridors connecting different tiger reserves help ensure long-term survival of species and reduce human-wildlife conflict by reducing animal movement through human settlements.

Correct Answer: B. Creates isolated populations, reduces genetic diversity, increases extinction risk, and causes human-wildlife conflict

Habitat fragmentation occurs when large continuous habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches due to human activities like deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture. This fragmentation creates isolated populations of animals that cannot interbreed, leading to reduced genetic diversity and increased risk of extinction. Fragmented habitats also force animals to cross human-dominated landscapes, increasing human-wildlife conflict. Wildlife corridors and protected area networks are critical conservation strategies to mitigate the negative effects of habitat fragmentation and maintain viable populations of wildlife species.

Correct Answer: B. Habitat loss, poaching, climate change, human-wildlife conflict, and pollution

Wildlife conservation in India faces multiple threats including habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization, illegal poaching for trade and sport, climate change affecting food and water availability, human-wildlife conflict in areas where habitats overlap with human settlements, and pollution affecting water and air quality. Additionally, invasive species, disease outbreaks, and inadequate enforcement of wildlife laws pose significant challenges. Effective conservation requires addressing these multiple threats through integrated approaches involving habitat protection, law enforcement, community engagement, and sustainable development practices.

Correct Answer: B. Illegal hunting of wildlife for trade, body parts, or sport without authorization

Poaching is the illegal hunting of wildlife without proper authorization, usually for trade in animal parts (like ivory, rhino horn, tiger skin), traditional medicine, food, or sport. In India, major animals illegally hunted include tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, bears, and various endangered species. Poaching is driven by high demand in international black markets and organized crime networks. India has strengthened anti-poaching efforts through increased ranger patrols, technology use, intelligence networks, and stringent penalties to combat this serious threat to wildlife conservation.

Correct Answer: B. CITES

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is the international convention that regulates trade in endangered plants and animals. Established in 1973, CITES classifies species into three appendices based on extinction risk: Appendix I (threatened with extinction, trade prohibited), Appendix II (may become threatened, trade controlled), and Appendix III (protected in certain countries, requiring permits for trade). India is a signatory to CITES since 1976 and actively implements its provisions through wildlife trade regulations and law enforcement.

Correct Answer: B. A global database classifying species by extinction risk into categories like Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, and Data Deficient

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List is a comprehensive global database that assesses and classifies species by their extinction risk. Categories include Extinct (no individuals remain), Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, and Data Deficient. India's wildlife is extensively evaluated on the IUCN Red List, with species like the Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, and one-horned rhinoceros classified in various threat categories. This classification helps guide conservation priorities and resource allocation for protecting threatened species worldwide.

Correct Answer: B. Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is known as the 'Tiger Capital of India' because it has one of the highest concentrations of tigers. Spread over 940 square kilometers, this park is also recognized for successfully conserving the Barasingha (swamp deer) from near extinction. The park's diverse habitat includes sal forests, meadows, and streams, supporting a rich variety of wildlife including tiger, leopard, wild dog, and gaur. Kanha's tiger conservation success makes it a flagship reserve under Project Tiger.