Wildlife & National Parks — Set 11
Rajasthan GK · वन्यजीव और राष्ट्रीय उद्यान · Questions 101–110 of 120
The Desert National Park in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts is the largest national park in Rajasthan. Which critically endangered bird is its prime focus species?
Correct Answer: B. Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
The Desert National Park (DNP) is the primary habitat of the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), one of the world's heaviest flying birds and classified as Critically Endangered. The park's arid grasslands and scrub habitat are essential for the GIB's survival. The population of GIB has declined dramatically due to habitat loss, hunting, and collisions with power lines, making conservation efforts in DNP critically important.
Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district was declared a tiger reserve in which year?
Correct Answer: B. 1978
Sariska Tiger Reserve was established in 1978 when it was declared a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger. It covers an area of about 881 square kilometres in the Alwar district. Sariska made global headlines in 2004-2005 when it was discovered that all tigers had disappeared due to poaching, making it the first tiger reserve to lose all its tigers. Tigers were successfully reintroduced from Ranthambore starting from 2008.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in which year?
Correct Answer: B. 1985
Keoladeo Ghana National Park (formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. It is also a Ramsar Wetland Site. The park was established as a duck shooting reserve by the Bharatpur maharajas in the 18th century. Today it is one of the world's most important wintering grounds for migratory birds, hosting over 370 species of birds including the Siberian Crane before its disappearance.
The Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan was established in which year and is located in which districts?
Correct Answer: B. 2013, Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh and Jhalawar
Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve was established in 2013 and covers parts of Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh, and Jhalawar districts. It is Rajasthan's third tiger reserve after Ranthambore and Sariska. The reserve encompasses the historic Mukundara Pass, several historic fortifications, and the Chambal river gorges. Tigers from Ranthambore were relocated to Mukundara to establish a new breeding population.
The Ranthambore National Park is famous for which aspect of tiger behaviour that makes tiger sightings here easier than in most other reserves?
Correct Answer: B. Tigers are active during daytime and in open areas near water bodies
Ranthambore's tigers are renowned for being active during daytime (diurnal activity) and for frequently visiting open water bodies like lakes and rivers, making them unusually visible compared to most other tiger reserves. The park's terrain of open grasslands, lakes, and ancient ruins provides excellent tiger viewing opportunities. This feature has made Ranthambore one of the world's best wildlife photography destinations.
The Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary in Churu district is especially famous for which animal?
Correct Answer: B. Blackbuck (Indian antelope)
Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary in Churu district is one of the finest blackbuck (Indian antelope) sanctuaries in India, hosting thousands of blackbucks in its open grassland habitat. The sanctuary also attracts a large number of raptors and migratory birds during winter. Tal Chhapar's flat grassland ecosystem is unique in Rajasthan and provides an important habitat for desert foxes, jackals, and various bird species.
The Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary (now part of Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve) in Kota was formerly associated with which activity before independence?
Correct Answer: B. Royal hunting grounds of the Kota rulers
Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary was formerly the royal hunting ground (shikar gah) of the Kota rulers and was managed as a private hunting reserve before independence. After independence, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary to protect the abundant wildlife including leopards, sloth bears, and deer. It was later merged into the Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in 2013. The area has several ancient ruins, temples, and the historic Mukundara Pass.
Project Cheetah (reintroduction of cheetahs in India) was initiated in which Rajasthan context after cheetahs were considered for Rajasthan before Kuno?
Correct Answer: B. Desert National Park was considered as an alternative site for cheetah reintroduction
The Desert National Park (DNP) in Jaisalmer was seriously considered as an alternative site for cheetah reintroduction under Project Cheetah because the arid open grasslands are similar to the cheetah's natural African habitat. However, Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh was ultimately selected as the primary site due to concerns about prey availability and security in DNP. The cheetah reintroduction from Namibia and South Africa began at Kuno in September 2022.
The Jhalana Leopard Conservation Reserve near Jaipur city is notable because:
Correct Answer: B. It is one of the few leopard habitats in close proximity to a major urban center
Jhalana Leopard Conservation Reserve, located within the urban limits of Jaipur city, is one of the few places in the world where leopards live in close proximity to a major metropolitan area. The reserve hosts over 30 leopards in its rocky forest terrain. It is an important example of human-wildlife coexistence and offers excellent leopard safari experiences to tourists visiting Jaipur.
The National Chambal Sanctuary protects which critically endangered reptile found in the Chambal River?
Correct Answer: B. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
The National Chambal Sanctuary protects the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), one of the world's most critically endangered crocodilians, which requires clean, fast-flowing rivers for nesting and basking. The Chambal River is one of the last viable habitats for gharials in India due to its relatively clean water and minimal human disturbance. The sanctuary also protects the Ganges river dolphin, red-crowned roof turtle, and the Indian skimmer bird.