Biosphere Reserves — Set 2
Geography · जैवमंडल रिजर्व · Questions 11–20 of 50
The Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve is located in which mountainous state?
Correct Answer: A. Arunachal Pradesh
• **Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve** = located in Arunachal Pradesh, covering Upper Siang, West Siang, and Dibang Valley districts. • **Tropical to Alpine vegetation** — the reserve spans extreme altitude ranges, resulting in one of India's most diverse vegetation gradients. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Meghalaya: has Nokrek BR; Tripura: has no biosphere reserve; Mizoram: has no designated biosphere reserve.
The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is situated at the southern end of which mountain range?
Correct Answer: A. Western Ghats
• **Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve** = situated at the southern tip of the Western Ghats, straddling the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. • **Agastyamala peak** — the reserve's namesake peak, a prominent pilgrimage site sacred in Hindu tradition associated with sage Agastya. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Eastern Ghats: Seshachalam BR is there, not Agasthyamala; Aravalli Range: located in Rajasthan/Haryana, no biosphere reserve; Vindhya Range: source of Pachmarhi BR, not Agasthyamala.
Which biosphere reserve is famous for its population of Wild Ass (Khur)?
Correct Answer: D. Kachchh
• **Kachchh Biosphere Reserve** = the primary habitat for the Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur), located in Gujarat's Great Rann of Kachchh. • **Largest in India** — Kachchh covers approximately 12,454 sq km, making it the biggest biosphere reserve in India by area. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Pachmarhi: in Madhya Pradesh, known for Satpura forests not wild ass; Similipal: in Odisha, known for tigers and elephants; Nokrek: in Meghalaya, known for red panda and citrus diversity.
Which program was launched by UNESCO in 1971 to promote a balanced relationship between people and the environment?
Correct Answer: C. Man and the Biosphere (MAB)
• **Man and the Biosphere (MAB)** = UNESCO program launched in 1971 providing the international framework for designating and managing biosphere reserves worldwide. • **1971** — the founding year of MAB, now recognising over 700 biosphere reserves in 130+ countries including 12 in India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Environmental Protection Program: not a UNESCO program; Project Tiger: India's national tiger conservation program launched in 1973; Wildlife Protection Act: India's domestic law enacted in 1972.
The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is situated in which hills of Meghalaya?
Correct Answer: B. Garo Hills
• **Nokrek Biosphere Reserve** = located in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, a vital habitat for the Red Panda and various citrus species. • **Citrus diversity hotspot** — Nokrek is recognised as one of the world's most important centres for the origin of cultivated citrus fruits. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Khasi Hills: location of Cherrapunji, no biosphere reserve; Mikir Hills: located in Assam/Nagaland, no biosphere reserve; Jaintia Hills: eastern Meghalaya, no biosphere reserve.
Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve is located in which part of India?
Correct Answer: A. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• **Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve** = India's southernmost biosphere reserve, at the tip of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, home to indigenous Shompen and Nicobarese tribes. • **Megapode and Giant Robber Crab** — unique species endemic to this island reserve, found nowhere else in mainland India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lakshadweep Islands: coral atoll group in Arabian Sea, no biosphere reserve; Coastal Odisha: has Similipal BR inland; Gulf of Mannar: a marine biosphere reserve off Tamil Nadu coast.
Which biosphere reserve in India is located at the confluence of the Western and Eastern Ghats?
Correct Answer: D. Nilgiri
• **Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve** = situated where the Western and Eastern Ghats meet, covering parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. • **Top biodiversity hotspot** — Nilgiri's unique geographical position makes it one of the world's richest zones for endemic species and biodiversity. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Seshachalam: in Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, not at the confluence; Similipal: in Odisha's Eastern Ghats only; Agasthyamala: at the southern tip of Western Ghats only.
The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is located in which Indian state?
Correct Answer: D. Madhya Pradesh
• **Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve** = located in the Satpura Range of Madhya Pradesh, often called the 'Queen of Satpura' for its scenic beauty. • **Satpura National Park** — the core unit within Pachmarhi BR, included alongside Bori Sanctuary to form this protected landscape. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Rajasthan: no major biosphere reserves; Chhattisgarh: shares Achanakmar-Amarkantak BR, not Pachmarhi; Maharashtra: has Sahyadri BR.
In a Biosphere Reserve, which zone is meant for the settlement of local communities and sustainable development?
Correct Answer: C. Transition Zone
• **Transition Zone** = the outermost zone of a biosphere reserve where human settlements, farming, and forestry activities are allowed sustainably. • **'Area of Cooperation'** — the Transition Zone's alternate name, reflecting the collaborative partnership between local communities and conservation management. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Core Zone: strictly no human activity; Buffer Zone: allows research and managed tourism but not settlements; Restricted Zone: not an official biosphere reserve zone classification.
Which biosphere reserve protects the world's largest mangrove forest?
Correct Answer: C. Sundarbans
• **Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve** = protects the world's largest contiguous mangrove forest in West Bengal, also the only mangrove habitat of tigers. • **Sundari trees** — the dominant mangrove species (Heritiera fomes) from which the Sundarbans gets its name, vital to the ecosystem. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Similipal: in Odisha, has no mangrove forests; Gulf of Mannar: marine reserve with coral reefs, not mangroves; Great Nicobar: tropical rainforest island, not the world's largest mangrove.