UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 9: Species Conservation Programmes (29 MCQs)

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UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 9: Species Conservation Programmes (29 MCQs) – 29 questions, subject: Environment. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

Project Tiger was launched in:

Correct Answer: A [1973]

Explanation:

Project Tiger was launched on 1 April 1973 with nine tiger reserves.

2.  

The Tiger Task Force of 2005, set up after the loss of tigers from Sariska, was chaired by:

Correct Answer: A [Sunita Narain]

Explanation:

Sunita Narain chaired the 2005 Tiger Task Force set up after tigers vanished from Sariska; it led to the NTCA.

3.  

According to the 2022 cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation, India's mean tiger population was:

Correct Answer: C [3,682]

Explanation:

The 2022 cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation gave a mean of 3,682 tigers (range 3,167–3,925).

4.  

The International Big Cat Alliance was launched in 2023 at:

Correct Answer: C [Mysuru]

Explanation:

The International Big Cat Alliance was launched at Mysuru on 9 April 2023, marking 50 years of Project Tiger.

5.  

The headquarters of the Global Tiger Forum is in:

Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]

Explanation:

The Global Tiger Forum, an intergovernmental body of tiger-range countries set up in 1994, is headquartered in New Delhi.

6.  

The elephant was declared India's National Heritage Animal in:

Correct Answer: B [2010]

Explanation:

On the Elephant Task Force's advice, the elephant was declared India's National Heritage Animal in 2010.

7.  

The DNA-based all-India elephant estimate released in October 2025 put the number of wild elephants at about:

Correct Answer: C [22,446]

Explanation:

The first DNA-based synchronous estimate (2021–25), released in October 2025, put wild elephants at 22,446.

8.  

The 2025 estimation of Asiatic lions in Gujarat counted:

Correct Answer: D [891]

Explanation:

The 16th Asiatic lion estimation of May 2025 counted 891 lions, up from 674 in 2020.

9.  

The first cheetahs brought to Kuno National Park in September 2022 came from:

Correct Answer: C [Namibia]

Explanation:

Eight Namibian cheetahs were released in Kuno National Park on 17 September 2022.

10.  

The second site for cheetahs in India, from 2025, is:

Correct Answer: B [Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary]

Explanation:

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh received cheetahs in 2025, becoming the second site after Kuno.

11.  

Assertion (A): Project Cheetah aims to restore grassland and open-forest ecosystems.

Reason (R): The cheetah is a top predator of open habitats, and protecting it protects those habitats.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Both are true: as a top predator of open habitats the cheetah acts as a flagship, so protecting it restores grasslands.

12.  

Consider the following statements:

1. The Crocodile Conservation Project began at Bhitarkanika.
2. The first snow leopard assessment of India counted 718 snow leopards.
3. Project Dolphin was launched in 1975.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: C [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Project Dolphin was announced in 2020.

13.  

India's first river dolphin estimate (2025) recorded the largest number of dolphins in:

Correct Answer: D [Uttar Pradesh]

Explanation:

Uttar Pradesh recorded the largest number of river dolphins in India's first estimate (6,327 in all) released in March 2025.

14.  

Mass nesting of olive ridley turtles, called arribada, is famous at:

Correct Answer: B [Gahirmatha and Rushikulya]

Explanation:

Olive ridleys nest en masse (arribada) on the Odisha coast at Gahirmatha and Rushikulya.

15.  

Seeds are stored in liquid nitrogen at about –196 °C in:

Correct Answer: D [cryopreservation]

Explanation:

Cryopreservation stores seeds, sperm, eggs and embryos in liquid nitrogen at about –196 °C.

16.  

The Central Zoo Authority was set up in:

Correct Answer: B [1992]

Explanation:

The Central Zoo Authority was set up in 1992 to regulate zoos under the Wild Life (Protection) Act.

17.  

Arrange in chronological order:

1. Project Elephant
2. Crocodile Conservation Project
3. Project Snow Leopard
4. Project Cheetah – release in Kuno

Select the correct order:

Correct Answer: C [2-1-3-4]

Explanation:

1975, 1992, 2009, 2022.

18.  

Which of the following is an example of ex-situ conservation?

Correct Answer: A [a seed bank]

Explanation:

conservation outside the natural habitat.

19.  

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is located in:

Correct Answer: D [Norway]

Explanation:

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault (2008) lies on Svalbard, a Norwegian Arctic archipelago.

20.  

Consider the following about the National Tiger Conservation Authority:

1. It is a statutory body.
2. It is chaired by the Prime Minister.
3. It was set up in 2006.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

chaired by the Environment Minister.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:

1. The leader of an elephant group is a female.
2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Elephant herds are led by an old female, and gestation can last up to 22 months; statements 3 and 4 are false.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2019

Consider the following statements:

1. Asiatic lions are naturally found in India only.
2. Double-humped camels are naturally found in India only.
3. One-horned rhinoceros are naturally found in India only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: A [1 only]

Explanation:

Asiatic lions live wild only in India's Gir landscape; Bactrian camels and one-horned rhinos also occur outside India.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2017

The term 'M-STrIPES' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

Correct Answer: B [Maintenance of Tiger Reserves]

Explanation:

M-STrIPES is the NTCA's app-based system for patrolling and monitoring the ecological status of tiger reserves.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2017

In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?

Correct Answer: A [It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.]

Explanation:

Schedule I gives the highest legal protection, so a listed tortoise is protected exactly as strictly as the tiger.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2017

According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law?

1. Gharial
2. Indian wild ass
3. Wild buffalo

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

Gharial, Indian wild ass and wild buffalo are all protected under the Act and may be hunted only as the law permits.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2017

If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit?

Correct Answer: B [Chambal River]

Explanation:

The Chambal River, in the National Chambal Sanctuary, holds the largest wild breeding population of gharials.

27.  
UPSC Prelims 2015

Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?

Correct Answer: C [Gangetic dolphin]

Explanation:

The Gangetic river dolphin was declared India's national aquatic animal in 2009.

28.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

Consider the following statements:

1. Animal Welfare Board of India was established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
3. The National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

The NTCA is statutory under the 2006 WPA amendment, and the PM chaired the Ganga basin authority; the AWBI is under the 1960 Act.

29.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

Consider the following animals:

1. Sea cow
2. Sea horse
3. Sea lion

Which of the above is/are mammal/mammals?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

the sea horse is a fish.

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