Consider the following statements
- Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only.
- Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only.
- One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 only
Among the three statements, only the statement about the Asiatic lion is correct as it is naturally found exclusively in India. The double-humped camel and one-horned rhinoceros have natural ranges extending beyond India's borders.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) is naturally found only in India, with its entire wild population restricted to Gir National Park and surrounding areas in Gujarat, listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The double-humped camel (Bactrian camel) is naturally found across Central Asia, particularly in Mongolia and China; while a population exists in Ladakh's Nubra Valley, its natural range is not exclusive to India.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The one-horned rhinoceros (Indian rhinoceros) is naturally found in both India (Assam, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh) and Nepal, making it a shared natural heritage of both countries.
📝 Short Notes: Endemic and Native Species of India
| Species | Natural Range | Conservation Status (IUCN) | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asiatic Lion | India only (Gir, Gujarat) | Endangered | Last wild population globally; successful conservation has increased numbers from ~20 (1913) to over 600 (2020) |
| One-horned Rhinoceros | India and Nepal | Vulnerable | Found in Kaziranga, Manas, Pobitora (Assam), Jaldapara (West Bengal), Dudhwa (UP), and Chitwan (Nepal) |
| Double-humped Camel (Bactrian) | Central Asia (Mongolia, China) | Critically Endangered (Wild), Domesticated (India) | Nubra Valley population in Ladakh is domesticated; wild populations exist only in Mongolia and China |
| Hangul (Kashmir Stag) | India only (Kashmir) | Critically Endangered | Found only in Dachigam National Park; population critically low (~200) |
| Nilgiri Tahr | India only (Western Ghats) | Endangered | Endemic to Western Ghats, state animal of Tamil Nadu |
| Lion-tailed Macaque | India only (Western Ghats) | Endangered | Endemic to rainforests of Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
Question 5 of 19 Endemic and Endangered Species
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