Tiger Reserves & Project Tiger — Set 20
Forest & Wildlife · टाइगर रिजर्व और प्रोजेक्ट टाइगर · Questions 191–200 of 200
Which two tiger reserves together form the contiguous Pench Tiger Reserve landscape across two states?
Correct Answer: A. Pench (MP) and Pench (Maharashtra)
Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh and Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra together form a contiguous tiger landscape across state boundaries. They share the Pench River and form one of the most productive tiger breeding areas in central India. This cross-state connectivity is a model for trans-boundary conservation in India.
The success of Project Tiger is often cited as contributing to what wider ecosystem service beyond tigers?
Correct Answer: B. Watershed protection, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation
Tiger reserves serve as de facto protected areas for entire ecosystems, providing watershed protection, carbon sequestration, and habitat for thousands of plant and animal species. Many major Indian rivers originate in or flow through tiger reserves. The 'umbrella species' concept means that protecting tigers also protects entire forest ecosystems.
Corbett Tiger Reserve's Dhikala zone is famous for what type of habitat?
Correct Answer: B. Vast grasslands and Ramganga reservoir
Dhikala zone in Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve is famous for its vast chaur (grasslands) and the Ramganga reservoir, which provide excellent wildlife viewing. These grasslands support large populations of elephants, tigers, leopards, and deer. Dhikala is the most sought-after zone for safaris in Corbett.
Which scheme under Project Tiger provides financial assistance to state governments for tiger reserve management?
Correct Answer: A. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Tiger Conservation
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Tiger Conservation provides financial assistance from the central government to state forest departments for managing tiger reserves. Funds cover infrastructure, staff deployment, habitat improvement, and community development. The scheme channels substantial resources specifically for Project Tiger activities.
What is the primary reason tiger numbers have grown in India while declining globally?
Correct Answer: B. Strong political will, legal framework, dedicated reserves, and community involvement
India's tiger success is attributed to strong political will (Project Tiger since 1973), a robust legal framework (Wildlife Protection Act), dedicated tiger reserves, NTCA oversight, international cooperation, community involvement, and sustained conservation funding. The commitment of frontline forest staff has been crucial. India's model is now being studied globally for application in other tiger range countries.
Kanha Tiger Reserve has a distinct zone called 'Kanha Meadows' which is critical for which species?
Correct Answer: B. Barasingha (hard-ground swamp deer)
Kanha Meadows is a large grassland area within Kanha Tiger Reserve that is the last stronghold of the hard-ground barasingha (swamp deer). The meadows provide the open grassland habitat essential for this endangered subspecies. Conservation of Kanha Meadows has been central to saving the barasingha from extinction.
Bor Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra was previously a wildlife sanctuary and was upgraded to tiger reserve in which year?
Correct Answer: B. 2014
Bor Wildlife Sanctuary in Wardha district of Maharashtra was upgraded to Bor Tiger Reserve in 2014. It is one of the smallest tiger reserves in India. Despite its small size, Bor is connected to Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve through forest corridors, allowing tiger dispersal.
Which is the southernmost tiger reserve in India?
Correct Answer: C. Kalakkad-Mundanthurai
Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu is the southernmost tiger reserve in India. It is part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. KMTR is known for its high biodiversity, endemic species, and as a water tower for southern Tamil Nadu.
What is 'pugmark census' and why was it replaced?
Correct Answer: B. Counting tigers by footprint impressions in plaster, replaced due to inaccuracy
The pugmark census method counted tigers by recording and analyzing their footprint impressions in plaster of Paris. It was used from 1973 to 2006 but was found to be highly inaccurate and susceptible to manipulation, resulting in inflated counts. The 2005 Sariska crisis exposed these flaws and the camera trap method was adopted from the 2010 census onwards.
What was the significance of the tiger population crossing 3,000 for the first time in India?
Correct Answer: B. It signaled achieving the TX2 goal and showed Project Tiger's global success
India's tiger population crossing 3,000 (reaching 3,167 in 2022) was a landmark moment signaling the achievement and surpassing of the TX2 doubling goal. It demonstrated that sustained political commitment, legal protection, community engagement, and scientific management can reverse the decline of even the most threatened large mammals. India's success has renewed global hope for tiger recovery.