Q.1 Which of the following regions is considered a biodiversity hotspot in India?
Thar Desert
Indo-Gangetic Plain
Himalaya
Rann of Kutch
Explanation - India has 4 biodiversity hotspots: Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Sundalands (Nicobar), and Indo-Malayan (Western Ghats). The Himalaya is one of them.
Correct answer is: Himalaya
Q.2 The term ‘keystone species’ refers to:
Species with the largest population
Species that play a critical role in ecosystem balance
Species used for commercial purpose
Species introduced from outside
Explanation - A keystone species is one that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance.
Correct answer is: Species that play a critical role in ecosystem balance
Q.3 Which of the following is NOT a Ramsar site in India?
Loktak Lake
Chilika Lake
Sambhar Lake
Dal Lake
Explanation - Dal Lake is famous but not designated as a Ramsar site, whereas Loktak, Chilika, and Sambhar lakes are Ramsar wetlands.
Correct answer is: Dal Lake
Q.4 The 'Project Tiger' was launched in which year?
1972
1973
1980
1991
Explanation - Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to conserve Bengal tigers and their habitats in India.
Correct answer is: 1973
Q.5 Which biosphere reserve is located in the Eastern Himalayas?
Nanda Devi
Sundarbans
Dibru-Saikhowa
Manas
Explanation - The Manas Biosphere Reserve is located in the Eastern Himalayas in Assam.
Correct answer is: Manas
Q.6 Biosphere reserves aim to conserve:
Only endangered species
Only flora
Both biodiversity and cultural heritage
Only migratory species
Explanation - Biosphere reserves conserve ecosystems, species, and genetic resources while promoting cultural and economic values.
Correct answer is: Both biodiversity and cultural heritage
Q.7 Which is the largest tiger reserve in India?
Jim Corbett
Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam
Kanha
Bandhavgarh
Explanation - Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is the largest tiger reserve in India.
Correct answer is: Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam
Q.8 The term ‘endemic species’ means:
Species found worldwide
Species found only in a particular region
Species on the verge of extinction
Domesticated species
Explanation - Endemic species are restricted to a specific geographical region and are not naturally found elsewhere.
Correct answer is: Species found only in a particular region
Q.9 Which Indian national park is famous for one-horned rhinoceros?
Kaziranga
Gir
Periyar
Kanha
Explanation - Kaziranga National Park in Assam is known for the conservation of the one-horned rhinoceros.
Correct answer is: Kaziranga
Q.10 The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains:
Red List
Green List
Blue List
Yellow List
Explanation - The IUCN Red List categorizes species based on their risk of extinction globally.
Correct answer is: Red List
Q.11 The Sundarbans mangrove forest is a habitat of which endangered species?
Snow Leopard
Asiatic Lion
Royal Bengal Tiger
Indian Wolf
Explanation - The Sundarbans are known for being the only mangrove habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Correct answer is: Royal Bengal Tiger
Q.12 Which of the following is NOT an in-situ conservation method?
National Park
Wildlife Sanctuary
Botanical Garden
Biosphere Reserve
Explanation - Botanical gardens are examples of ex-situ conservation, whereas national parks, sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves are in-situ.
Correct answer is: Botanical Garden
Q.13 The 'Chipko Movement' was primarily concerned with:
Soil conservation
Forest conservation
Water conservation
Wildlife protection
Explanation - The Chipko Movement in the 1970s was a grassroots movement to protect forests from deforestation.
Correct answer is: Forest conservation
Q.14 Which Indian state has the highest number of national parks?
Madhya Pradesh
Assam
Uttarakhand
Karnataka
Explanation - Madhya Pradesh has the maximum number of national parks in India, including Kanha and Bandhavgarh.
Correct answer is: Madhya Pradesh
Q.15 The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed at:
Rio de Janeiro, 1992
Stockholm, 1972
Kyoto, 1997
Paris, 2015
Explanation - The CBD was adopted during the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
Correct answer is: Rio de Janeiro, 1992
Q.16 Which of the following is NOT a type of biodiversity?
Genetic diversity
Species diversity
Ecological diversity
Cultural diversity
Explanation - Biodiversity refers to genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. Cultural diversity is not a biological type.
Correct answer is: Cultural diversity
Q.17 The Gir National Park is famous for:
Tigers
Snow Leopards
Asiatic Lions
Leopards
Explanation - Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions.
Correct answer is: Asiatic Lions
Q.18 Which of the following initiatives focuses on conserving medicinal plants in India?
Project Tiger
National Afforestation Programme
National Medicinal Plants Board
Project Elephant
Explanation - The National Medicinal Plants Board works to promote conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants.
Correct answer is: National Medicinal Plants Board
Q.19 Which of the following species is critically endangered?
House Sparrow
Indian Peafowl
Great Indian Bustard
Blackbuck
Explanation - The Great Indian Bustard is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss.
Correct answer is: Great Indian Bustard
Q.20 Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem services such as:
Food supply
Pollination
Climate regulation
All of the above
Explanation - Biodiversity supports multiple ecosystem services including food, pollination, and climate regulation.
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.21 The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve covers parts of which states?
Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
Explanation - Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve spans across Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Correct answer is: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
Q.22 Which bird is considered the 'State Bird of Kerala' and is near threatened?
Great Hornbill
Indian Roller
Peacock
Sarus Crane
Explanation - The Great Hornbill is Kerala’s state bird and is near threatened due to habitat loss.
Correct answer is: Great Hornbill
Q.23 Ex-situ conservation includes:
Wildlife sanctuaries
Sacred groves
Seed banks
National parks
Explanation - Ex-situ conservation is done outside the natural habitat, such as in seed banks, zoos, and botanical gardens.
Correct answer is: Seed banks
Q.24 Which tiger reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Kanha
Sundarbans
Bandhavgarh
Jim Corbett
Explanation - The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique mangrove ecosystem.
Correct answer is: Sundarbans
Q.25 The 'Sacred Groves' of India are an example of:
Modern conservation method
Traditional conservation practice
Ex-situ conservation
Urban afforestation
Explanation - Sacred groves are patches of forest protected by communities due to religious or cultural beliefs.
Correct answer is: Traditional conservation practice