UPSC

PWOnlyIAS Telegram Series

Day 4 (Environment)

Q1 Which of the following organisations runs the How many of the above pairs are Incorrectly
Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants matched?
(MIKE) program in collaboration with the (A) Only one
concerned countries? (B) Only two
(A) World Wildlife Fund (C) All three
(B) Convention on International Trade in (D) None of the above
Endangered Species
Q4 Consider the following statements about the
(C) United Nations Environment Programme
Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972:
(D) International Union for Conservation of
Nature 1. The act extends to the whole of India
except areas that come under the sixth
Q2 Consider the following statements about
Scheduled states.
TRAFFIC (Trade Records Analysis of Flora and
2. The Chief Wildlife Warden is appointed
Fauna in Commerce) and CAWT (Coalition
by the Central government on the
Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT))
recommendation of the state
1. TRAFFIC was a joint collaboration of government.
UNEP and IUCN.
Which of the statements given above is/are
2. CAWT was led by Unites States with India
correct?
as a member to combat illegal wildlife
(A) 1 only
trade.
(B) 2 only
3. TRAFFIC's mission is focused on the
(C) Both 1 and 2
direct enforcement of wildlife trade laws,
(D) None of the above
while CAWT primarily conducts research
into trade patterns and impacts. Q5 Consider the following pairs:
Organisations Ex-officio Chairperson
How many of the above statements given are
Minister of
correct?
1. Central Zoo Environment, Forest,
(A) Only one (B) Only two
Authority and
(C) All three (D) None Climate Change
2. National Board for
Q3 Consider the following pairs of organisations Prime minister
Wildlife (NBWL)
and their headquarters:
3. National Tiger Minister of State for
Organisation Headquarters Conservation Authority MoEFCC
1. Birdlife International New York 4. State Board for
2. World Wildlife Fund for Chief Minister
Switzerland Wildlife
Nature How many of the above pairs are correctly
3. International Whaling United matched?
Commission Kingdom
(A) Only one (B) Only two

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(C) Only three (D) All four Q8 ‘Critical Wildlife Habitat’ is declared under
which of the following acts?
Q6 With reference to the Wildlife (Protection)
(A) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Amendment Act, 2022, consider the following
(B) Forest Rights Act, 2006
statements:
(C) Biological Diversity Act, 2002
1. The number of schedules has been (D) Environment Protection Act,1986
reduced from six to four, where Schedule
Q9 Which of the following statements about the
II now provides the highest protection to
Tiger Census in India is/are correct?
species.
2. Schedule III contains vermin species that 1. The All India Tiger Estimation is
can be hunted without restrictions. conducted once every two years jointly
3. A new schedule has been introduced by the National Tiger Conservation
specifically for species listed under the Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife
Convention on International Trade in Institute of India (WII).
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 2. The 2022 tiger census reported the
Flora (CITES). highest-ever tiger population in India
with over 5,000 tigers.
How many of the statements given above are
3. The Camera trapping method is the
correct?
primary tool used for estimating tiger
(A) Only one
populations in India, providing accurate
(B) Only two
and reliable data.
(C) All three
(D) None of the above Select the correct answer using the codes
given below:
Q7 With reference to the International Big Cat
(A) 1 only
Alliance (IBCA), consider the following
(B) 3 only
statements:
(C) All of the above
1. It is an initiative launched by the United (D) 2 and 3 only
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Q10 Consider the following pairs of wildlife
to combat the illegal trade of big cats and
species and their natural palce of
their parts.
occurrence:
2. Membership in the IBCA is restricted to
Wildlife Naturally Found in
countries that have populations of big
1. Indus River Dolphin Beas river
cats in the wild. 2. Gharial Chambal river
3. Irrawaddy Dolphin Yamuna river
Which of the above statements is/are
4. Hangul Uttarakhand
Incorrect?
Which of the pairs above are correctly
(A) 1 only
matched?
(B) 2 only
(A) 1 and 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(B) 1, 3 and 4 only
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
(C) 2 and 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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Answer Key
Q1 B Q6 A

Q2 A Q7 C

Q3 A Q8 B
Q4 D Q9 B
Q5 C Q10 A

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Hints & Solutions

Note: scan the QR code to watch video solution

Q1 Text Solution: enforcement of laws. It provides data to

Ans: B inform policies but does not directly enforce
Exp: laws. CAWT, on the other hand, focuses more
The MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of on collaboration and policy advocacy against
Elephants) program is run by the Convention wildlife trafficking, not research.
on International Trade in Endangered
Q3 Text Solution:
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Ans: A
CITES is an international treaty that aims to
Exp:
ensure that international trade in wild animals
Pair 1 is Incorrect: BirdLife International is a
and plants does not threaten their survival.
global partnership of conservation
The MIKE program was launched in 2003 to
organizations that works on the protection of
provide a reliable system for monitoring the
birds and their habitats. Its headquarters is
illegal killing of elephants across Africa and
located in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Asia. CITES collaborates with national
BirdLife International has more than 100
governments, wildlife conservation
partners worldwide, focusing on bird
organizations, and other partners to collect
conservation and biodiversity. The
data on elephant poaching. The goal is to track
organization works to conserve bird species,
the levels and trends of illegal killings and
protect habitats, and influence policy on a
identify areas where elephant populations are
global scale. It is also responsible for the IUCN
at risk, as well as to inform conservation
Red List assessments for bird species.
policies and anti-poaching measures.
Pair 2 is Correct: The World Wildlife Fund
Q2 Text Solution: (WWF) is an international conservation
Ans: A organization working on environmental issues,
Exp: focusing on the conservation of nature and the
Statement 1 is incorrect: Trade Records reduction of human impact on the
Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce environment. WWF's headquarters is indeed
(TRAFFIC) was founded in 1976 as a joint located in Gland, Switzerland, which is a
program of WWF (World Wide Fund for small town near Geneva.
Nature) and IUCN (International Union for Pair 3 is correct: The International Whaling
Conservation of Nature) not UNEP. The Commission (IWC) is the global body
headquarters is in Cambridge, UK. established to oversee the conservation of
Statement 2 is correct: CAWT was whale populations and the regulation of
established in 2005 and is led by the United whaling activities. The IWC's headquarters is
States with India as a member. It focuses on located in Cambridge, UK. It was established
combating illegal wildlife trade through in the year 1946, the IWC has played a
collaboration with various organizations significant role in regulating whaling activities
including TRAFFIC. and conserving whale populations. Its main
Statement 3 is incorrect: TRAFFIC's mission goal is to promote the conservation of whales
is focused on monitoring wildlife trade and to provide for the proper management of
trends and patterns, not on the direct whale stocks.

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Q4 Text Solution: the Minister of Environment, Forest, and

Ans: D Climate Change (MoEFCC). However, the
Exp: Minister of State for MoEFCC serves as the
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Wildlife Vice-Chairperson,
(Protection) Act of 1972 is a central Pair 4 is correct: The State Board for
legislation designed to provide protection to Wildlife (SBWL) is chaired by the Chief
wild animals, birds, and plants in India. It Minister of the respective state. The SBWL is
provides a framework for the establishment of constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act,
protected areas such as national parks and 1972, for advising the state government on
wildlife sanctuaries, as well as regulates the wildlife conservation.
hunting of animals, trade in wildlife products, Additional information:
and conservation efforts across the country. The National Board for Wildlife came into
The Act applies to all parts of India, existence with the Gazette Notification dated
22nd September 2003. The National Board
regardless of the region, as per the provisions
for Wildlife has 47 members with the Prime
of the legislation itself.
Minister in the Chair. The Minister in charge
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Chief Wildlife of the Ministry of Environment & Forests in
Warden is appointed by the State the Central Government is the Vice-
Government, not the Central Government. Chairperson. The Additional Director General
However, the appointment is made on the of Forests (WL) & Director, Wildlife
recommendation of the Central Preservation is the Member-Secretary to the
Board. The Board is responsible for the
Government through the Ministry of
promotion of conservation and development
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. The
of wildlife and forests.
Chief Wildlife Warden is the key officer
responsible for the protection and Q6 Text Solution:

management of wildlife in the state. Ans: A

Exp:
Q5 Text Solution:
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The number of
Ans: C
schedules has been reduced from six to four.
Exp:
The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act,
Pair 1 is Correct: The Central Zoo Authority
2022 reduced the number of schedules from
(CZA) is chaired by the Minister of
six to four to streamline wildlife protection and
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change
make the Act more aligned with international
(MoEFCC). CZA is a statutory body established
conventions such as CITES. However,
under the provisions of the Wildlife
Schedule I (not Schedule II) provides the
(Protection) Act of 1972 and is responsible for
highest protection to species.
overseeing the management of zoos in India.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Wildlife
Pair 2 is Correct: The National Board for
(Protection) Amendment Act, 2022
Wildlife (NBWL) is chaired by the Prime
restructured the schedules, and vermin
Minister of India. NBWL is a statutory body
species are no longer listed in a separate
constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act
schedule. Instead, the management of vermin
of 1972 to provide policy advice and review
species is now decentralized, with state
wildlife conservation efforts.
governments empowered to request the
Pair 3 is Incorrect: The National Tiger
Conservation Authority (NTCA) is chaired by

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central government to declare specific Statement 2 is Incorrect: Membership in

species as vermin in designated areas. IBCA is not restricted to countries with big
Statement 3 is Correct: The Amendment Act cats in the wild. It is open to any country
introduces a new schedule (Schedule IV) that interested in big cat conservation, even
specifically lists species included under CITES, those that do not have native populations of
aligning domestic legislation with international big cats.
commitments. Q8 Text Solution:
Ans: B
Exp:
Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWHs) are areas
within protected areas (such as national
parks or wildlife sanctuaries) that are set aside
specifically for the conservation of biodiversity.
These habitats are meant to provide a secure
environment for wildlife to thrive with minimal
Q7 Text Solution: human intervention. The declaration of
Ans: C
Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWHs) is primarily
Exp:
governed by the Forest Rights Act (FRA),
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a
2006. Section 4(2) of the FRA mandates that
global conservation initiative established to
the Central Government, in consultation with
focus on the protection of the world's major
the Gram Sabhas (village councils), can
big cats. Launched by India in 2019 during the
declare areas within National Parks and
Global Tiger Forum. The focus is on
Sanctuaries as CWHs. These areas are
improving the coordination and cooperation
designated to be kept inviolate for wildlife
among countries, conservationists, and other
conservation purposes.
stakeholders to combat threats such as
Q9 Text Solution:
poaching, habitat loss, and illegal wildlife
Ans: B
trade. The International Big Cat Alliance
Exp:
focuses on the conservation of seven not five
Statement 1 is Incorrect - The All India Tiger
major big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, jaguar,
Estimation is not conducted every two years.
snow leopard, cheetah, and puma. The aim
It is conducted once every four years. This is
is to ensure their survival in the wild through
to allow for a comprehensive analysis and to
coordinated conservation efforts.
ensure that the data on tiger populations is
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The International
robust and reliable. The survey involves
Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is not an initiative of the
collaboration between the National Tiger
United Nations Environment Programme
Conservation Authority (NTCA), the Wildlife
(UNEP). Instead, it is a global initiative
Institute of India (WII), and state-level forest
spearheaded by India to consolidate and
departments.
amplify international efforts for the
Statement 2 is Incorrect - The 2022 Tiger
conservation of big cats and their ecosystems.
Census did not report a tiger population of
While UNEP is a prominent global entity for
over 5,000. The tiger population in India is
environmental concerns, IBCA is an
estimated to be approximately 3,682 tigers,
independent effort led by India.
with a confidence interval ranging from 3,167

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to 3,925 tigers. This reflects a commendable

annual growth rate of 6.1% per annum since
the previous census in 2018.
Statement 3 is Correct - The primary tool
used for estimating tiger populations in India
is camera trapping, which provides accurate
and reliable data. This method involves setting
up cameras in tiger habitats to capture images
of tigers, allowing researchers to estimate
population numbers and distribution.

Statement 2 is correct: Gharial is a critically

endangered crocodilian species and are
primarily found in river systems such as the
Chambal, Ganga, and Mahanadi. In Rajasthan,
they inhabit the Chambal River, which flows
through parts of the state. Hence, Rajasthan is
part of their natural range.
Q10 Text Solution:
Ans: A
Exp:
Statement 1 is correct: The Indus River
Dolphin is one of the world’s rarest freshwater
dolphins. It is primarily found in the Indus
River and its tributaries. In India, it is found in
a small population in the Beas River in Punjab,
where conservation efforts under the “Beas
Conservation Reserve” project have been
successful. Thus, the association with the Beas
River is accurate.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Irrawaddy

Dolphin is typically found in coastal waters,
estuaries, and rivers like the Irrawaddy
(Myanmar), Mekong, and Mahakam
(Indonesia). It is also present in some
freshwater lake ecosystems, such as Chilika
Lake in Odisha, India. However, it is not

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naturally found in the Chambal River, which is Statement 4 is incorrect: The Hangul also
the habitat of Gharials and the Gangetic known as the Kashmir Stag, is a critically
Dolphin. endangered subspecies of the red deer. It is
endemic to Jammu and Kashmir and primarily
resides in the Dachigam National Park and its
surrounding areas. It is not naturally found in
Uttarakhand.

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