Wildlife & National Parks — Set 12

Correct Answer: B. Sitabari, believed to be the place where Sita was exiled from Ayodhya

Sitabari Wildlife Sanctuary in Baran district contains the Sitabari shrine, believed by local tradition to be the place where Sita was exiled by Lord Rama and where she gave birth to the twins Luv and Kush in Valmiki's ashram. The sanctuary protects dry deciduous forest and is home to leopards, wolves, nilgai, and various bird species. The site attracts both wildlife enthusiasts and Hindu pilgrims, demonstrating the integration of cultural and natural heritage.

Correct Answer: B. Tiger Reserve (fourth in Rajasthan)

Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary in Bundi district was notified as Rajasthan's fourth Tiger Reserve in 2022, expanding the tiger conservation landscape in the state. The reserve serves as a connecting corridor between Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve. The Ramgarh Vishdhari area has a landscape of rocky terrain, scrub forests, and the Mej River flowing through it.

Correct Answer: B. Collision with overhead power lines in its desert habitat

The Great Indian Bustard faces its most immediate threat from collisions with overhead power lines in the Thar Desert, especially in the solar and wind energy zones. As a heavy bird with poor frontal vision, the GIB cannot avoid high-tension wires during low-level flights. The Supreme Court of India ordered the undergrounding of high-voltage power lines in GIB habitat areas to prevent fatalities. Habitat degradation and historical hunting have also contributed to its population decline.

Correct Answer: B. UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ramsar Wetland, and Important Bird Area (IBA) designations

Keoladeo Ghana National Park holds multiple international conservation designations: it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985), a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, and an Important Bird Area (IBA) recognized by BirdLife International. These designations reflect the park's exceptional importance for bird diversity and migratory waterfowl. The park hosts over 370 bird species and was historically one of Asia's best birdwatching destinations.

Correct Answer: B. Leopards share the habitat harmoniously with the local Rabari community and their livestock

Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve near Sumerpur in Pali district is remarkable for the unique coexistence between leopards and the local Rabari (Raika) community. The leopards live among granite rock outcrops near a dam and share the landscape with Rabari herders and their livestock, with remarkably few conflicts. This harmonious coexistence is attributed to the Rabari community's traditional reverence for wildlife, making Jawai a globally celebrated example of human-wildlife coexistence.

Correct Answer: B. About 88 tigers

According to the 2022 All India Tiger Estimation (tiger census), Rajasthan had approximately 88 tigers, primarily in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve which has the highest tiger density in Rajasthan. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 and Ranthambore was one of the original nine reserves. Tiger numbers in Rajasthan have grown significantly from near-zero in some reserves due to conservation efforts under Project Tiger.

Correct Answer: B. Kumbhalgarh Fort

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary surrounds and is adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajsamand district. The sanctuary covers an area of about 610 square kilometres in the Aravalli hills. It is home to leopards, wolves, hyenas, sloth bears, nilgai, and a rich diversity of birds. The combination of the wildlife sanctuary and the historic fort makes Kumbhalgarh a unique eco-cultural heritage destination.

Correct Answer: B. Wildlife Sanctuary (Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary)

Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary surrounds the Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) hill near Udaipur. The sanctuary protects a small but significant patch of dry deciduous forest and rocky terrain. It is home to leopards, hyenas, various deer species, and a rich birdlife. The sanctuary is part of the larger landscape connecting Kumbhalgarh and other protected areas in the Aravalli range.

Correct Answer: B. Gharial and crocodile in the Chambal ecosystem

The National Chambal Sanctuary (which includes areas in Dholpur district) was established to protect the Gharial and the Mugger crocodile in the Chambal river ecosystem. The Chambal is one of the few rivers in north India where gharials survive naturally due to its clean, undisturbed waters and sandy riverbanks needed for nesting. The sanctuary also supports the Ganges river dolphin, river turtles, and the Indian skimmer.

Correct Answer: B. 25

Rajasthan has 25 wildlife sanctuaries in addition to its national parks (Ranthambore and Keoladeo) and tiger reserves. The state has one of the largest wildlife protected area networks in India, covering about 9% of its geographic area. Key sanctuaries include Tal Chhapar (blackbuck), Jawai (leopard), Sitabari, Shergarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sajjangarh, Nahargarh, and others. The diverse habitats from desert to wetland support a wide variety of fauna and flora.