UPSC CSE Prelims
Species, Parks & Places in News Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Species, Parks & Places in News
Topic Breakdown: Scroll →
With respect to the Western Hoolock Gibbons, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- A Sanctuary in North-east India is home to this ape species listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
- They have specialized brachiation and can easily swing between trees.
- They possess a strong and heavy build like gorillas, yet are remarkably agile tree climbers.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Correct. Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam is dedicated to this species. The Western Hoolock Gibbon is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Statement 2 — Correct. They move through brachiation — using their long arms to swing quickly from branch to branch. This is their main way of moving through forests.
Statement 3 — Incorrect. Gibbons are "lesser apes" (small apes), NOT like gorillas (great apes). They are small, slender, and lightweight — only 6 to 9 kg. Their light body is exactly WHY they can swing so agilely — a heavy gorilla-like build would make this impossible.
Memory Trick: Gibbons = Light + Long arms = Great swingers. Gorillas = Heavy + Strong = Ground-based. Don't mix them up!
Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct ?
- Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.
- Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.
- Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
NIRANTAR is a platform under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with 4 thematic verticals — each led by a specific institute.
Statement 1 — Correct. Ecosystem Survey & Analysis vertical → led by Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata.
Statement 2 — Incorrect. Research and Management of Ecosystem Service vertical → led by ICFRE, Dehradun — NOT Central Zoo Authority. CZA is just a participating institute, not the lead.
Statement 3 — Correct. Capacity Development Support vertical → led by Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal.
Memory Trick:
| Vertical | Lead Institute |
|---|---|
| Ecosystem Survey & Analysis | BSI, Kolkata |
| Research & Mgmt of Ecosystem Service | ICFRE, Dehradun |
| Capacity Development Support | IIFM, Bhopal |
Which of the following statements with regard to the arrival of Amur Falcons at Doyang Lake in Nagaland each year from Mongolia is/are correct?
- It showcases how sustained local conservation efforts can contribute to the arrival and protection of international migratory birds.
- It reflects the global success of advanced tracking technologies that guide migratory birds back to their stopover sites.
- It confirms that Amur Falcons have adapted to permanent residency in India due to favourable habitat changes.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Correct. Doyang Lake is a conservation success story. Earlier, falcons were hunted in huge numbers. After efforts by NGOs, the Forest Department, and local communities, hunting stopped completely. Nagaland is now called "Falcon Capital of the World."
Statement 2 — Incorrect. Tracking devices (solar-powered transmitters) only collect data for scientists — they don't guide the birds. Falcons find their way using their own natural instincts, not technology.
Statement 3 — Incorrect. Falcons are not permanent residents of India — they're long-distance migrants. They breed in Siberia/Northern China, then fly to Southern Africa for winter — about 22,000 km journey. Doyang Lake is just a temporary stopover (Oct-Nov) to gain fat reserves before crossing the Arabian Sea.
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Consider the following statements about Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid) :
- It is an epiphytic orchid.
- The species is endemic to North-east India.
- It is the State flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Correct. It's an epiphytic orchid — it grows on tree trunks/branches, using the tree only for support and taking moisture from air. It's not a parasite, doesn't harm the tree.
Statement 2 — Incorrect. Not endemic to North-east India. It's found across Tropical Asia — China, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines. Even within India, it grows in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar too — not just North-east.
Statement 3 — Correct. It is the State flower of both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. In Assam, it's called Kopou Phool — culturally important, worn during Bihu dance and weddings.
Memory Trick: "Epiphyte + Endemic" sound similar but mean different things — epiphyte = grows on trees; endemic = found only in one place. Don't confuse the two!
Which one of the following is the first Plan Vivo certified Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project in India ?
Detailed Explanation:
This project in Meghalaya is India's first REDD+ project certified under Plan Vivo Standard (a fair-trade-style framework for community forest carbon projects).
Key Facts:
- Location: East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, near Umiam River
- Managed by: A federation of 10 Khasi tribal kingdoms (called "Synjuk"), covering 60+ communities
- What it does: Protects sacred forest groves (REDD+) and restores degraded forests (Assisted Natural Regeneration)
Why other options are wrong:
- Uttarakhand — only did readiness/pilot work, not the first certified project
- ICFRE-ICIMOD — a broader regional capacity-building program, not a single certified community project
- Sikkim — good conservation work, but not the first
With reference to Madhav National Park, which of the following statements is/are correct ?
- It was declared a Tiger Reserve in India in 2025.
- Sakhya Sagar, which is designated as a Ramsar Site, is situated within this National Park.
- Its area is shared between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 is Correct: Madhav National Park was declared India’s 58th Tiger Reserve in March 2025, becoming the 9th Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
Statement 2 is Correct: Sakhya Sagar, located within the National Park, was designated as a Ramsar Site in 2022 due to its rich wetland biodiversity and migratory bird habitat.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Madhav National Park is located entirely in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. It does not extend into Rajasthan.
Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the correct answer.
Madhav National Park
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Located in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, Madhav National Park is part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills ecosystem.
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It gained national importance after being notified as India's 58th Tiger Reserve in 2025 and contains the Ramsar-listed Sakhya Sagar Wetland.