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Q1Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2026
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?
1. It showcases how sustained local conservation efforts can contribute to the arrival and protection of international migratory birds.
2. It reflects the global success of advanced tracking technologies that guide migratory birds back to their stopover sites.
3. 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:
- A1 onlyCorrect
- B1 and 2
- C2 and 3
- D3 only
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Statement 1 is sound, but statement 2 reverses the role of technology. A tracking device reports a bird’s location to researchers; it is not a guidance system teaching the bird its migratory route.
- Option C
Neither of these claims follows from annual arrivals. Tracking observes migration, and a seasonal stopover is evidence of continuing movement between regions rather than permanent residency.
- Option D
Amur falcons continue their migration toward southern Africa after resting and feeding in Northeast India. Repeated seasonal use of Doyang therefore does not show year-round residence in India.
Q2Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2026
Which one of the following is the first Plan Vivo certified Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) project in India?
- AUttarakhand REDD+ project
- BICFRE-ICIMOD Transboundary REDD+ project in North-Eastern Himalayas
- CKhasi Hills Community REDD+ projectCorrect
- DSikkim Mamley Kamrang Community REDD+ project
Explanation
UPSC provisional key: (C), Series A question 40. The Khasi Hills Community REDD+ project is the answer. Plan Vivo identifies it as India’s first community-based REDD+ programme and records avoided deforestation and assisted natural regeneration activities in Meghalaya. Its community institutions combine forest protection with livelihood support and carbon finance.
Sources: UPSC provisional answer key · Plan Vivo: Khasi Hills Community REDD+ Project, India
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
The Uttarakhand option is not the project identified by Plan Vivo’s certification record. The relevant early community REDD+ programme is in Meghalaya’s Khasi Hills, where carbon finance supports forest conservation and regeneration.
- Option B
This distractor describes a broader Himalayan collaboration rather than the named Plan Vivo-certified project. The certification and project record identify the Khasi Hills community programme, not an ICFRE–ICIMOD transboundary initiative.
- Option D
The requested distinction belongs to the Khasi Hills project in Meghalaya. A community or REDD+ label by itself does not establish that a project was the first certified under a specific standard; the certifier’s project record is decisive.
Q3Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2020
Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under 'Critical Tiger Habitat'?
- ACorbett
- BRanthambore
- CNagarjunasagar-SrisailamCorrect
- DSundarbans
Explanation
Correct. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, spread across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, has the largest notified Critical Tiger Habitat among all Indian tiger reserves.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Corbett has a significant Critical Tiger Habitat area but it is smaller than that of Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam.
- Option B
Ranthambore's Critical Tiger Habitat is comparatively small given the reserve's overall modest extent.
- Option D
Sundarbans Tiger Reserve has a unique mangrove habitat but its Critical Tiger Habitat area is smaller than Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam.
Q4Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2020
Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous?
- AKanha National ParkCorrect
- BManas National Park
- CMudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- DTal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary
Explanation
Correct. Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is famous for conserving the hard-ground Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi), which was brought back from the brink of extinction through a dedicated species recovery effort.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Manas National Park in Assam is known for the Indian rhinoceros, wild buffalo, and pygmy hog, not the hard-ground Barasingha.
- Option C
Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu is an elephant and tiger habitat in the Nilgiris; it has no Barasingha population.
- Option D
Tal Chhapar in Rajasthan is a blackbuck sanctuary and does not support Barasingha.
Q5Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2018
Consider the following statements:
1. The definition of 'Critical Wildlife Habitat' is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
2. For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights.
3. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B2 and 3 only
- C3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. The Forest Rights Act, 2006 defines Critical Wildlife Habitat, and the Baiga tribe in Madhya Pradesh was the first to receive Habitat Rights under this Act. Habitat Rights are decided by the State government through the District Level Committee, not by MoEFCC.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Statement 3 is incorrect because Habitat Rights are recognised by the State government through the gram sabha and District Level Committee process, not by MoEFCC.
- Option C
Statement 1 is also correct since the FRA 2006 explicitly defines Critical Wildlife Habitat; statement 2 is also correct regarding the Baigas.
- Option D
Statement 3 is wrong — the declaration process lies with the State government under the FRA, not with MoEFCC.
Q6Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2017
The term 'M-STrIPES' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of:
- ACaptive breeding of Wild Fauna
- BMaintenance of Tiger ReservesCorrect
- CIndigenous Satellite Navigation System
- DSecurity of National Highways
Explanation
Correct. M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers — Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) is a software-based patrolling and ecological monitoring system used by NTCA for tiger reserve management.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
M-STrIPES is not related to captive breeding; it is a field-level monitoring tool used in tiger reserves.
- Option C
M-STrIPES has no connection to satellite navigation systems; it is a conservation-monitoring application.
- Option D
M-STrIPES is a wildlife monitoring tool and is unrelated to highway security.
Q7Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2017
Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites?
- ACorbett National Park
- BKuno Palpur Wildlife SanctuaryCorrect
- CMudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- DSariska National Park
Explanation
Correct. The Supreme Court in 2013 directed the translocation of some Asiatic lions from Gir to Kuno Palpur (now Kuno National Park) in Madhya Pradesh to establish a second population as an insurance against catastrophic events.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is a tiger habitat; it was never proposed as a second home for Asiatic lions.
- Option C
Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and was not considered for lion translocation.
- Option D
Sariska in Rajasthan received translocated tigers, not lions.
Q8Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2017
From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?
- ASathyamangalam Tiger ReserveCorrect
- BNallamala Forest
- CNagarhole National Park
- DSeshachalam Biosphere Reserve
Explanation
Correct. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu lies at the confluence of the Eastern and Western Ghats, serving as a critical wildlife corridor connecting the two mountain systems.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Nallamala Forest in Andhra Pradesh/Telangana is part of the Eastern Ghats and does not bridge the two Ghat systems.
- Option C
Nagarhole National Park is located entirely within the Western Ghats in Karnataka and does not link to the Eastern Ghats.
- Option D
Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve lies within the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh and does not connect to the Western Ghats.
Q9Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2016
Which of the following are the key features of 'National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)'?
1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.
2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. NGRBA adopted the river basin as the unit of planning and spearheaded national-level Ganga conservation. It was chaired by the Prime Minister, not by a rotating Chief Minister.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option B
Statement 3 is incorrect — the Prime Minister chaired NGRBA, not a Chief Minister on rotation.
- Option C
Statement 3 is wrong; the chairmanship was held by the Prime Minister.
- Option D
Statement 3 is incorrect about the chairmanship rotating among Chief Ministers.
Q10Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2016
Which of the following best describes/describe the aim of 'Green India Mission' of the Government of India?
1. Incorporating environmental benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the 'green accounting'
2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agricultural output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future
3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A1 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C3 onlyCorrect
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. The National Mission for a Green India (GIM), one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, aims to increase forest and tree cover and respond to climate change through both adaptation and mitigation.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Green accounting is not the aim of the Green India Mission; the mission focuses on forests and climate change.
- Option B
Statement 2 about a second green revolution for agriculture is not related to the Green India Mission.
- Option D
Only statement 3 correctly describes the Green India Mission; the other two relate to fiscal policy and agriculture respectively.
Q11Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2014
What are the benefits of implementing the 'Integrated Watershed Development Programme'?
1. Prevention of soil runoff
2. Linking the country's perennial rivers with seasonal rivers
3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table
4. Regeneration of natural vegetation
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A1 and 2 only
- B2, 3 and 4 only
- C1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect
- D1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
Correct. IWDP benefits include preventing soil runoff, rainwater harvesting with groundwater recharge, and natural vegetation regeneration. River-linking is an entirely different programme.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
While soil runoff prevention is a benefit, river-linking is a separate mega-project and not part of watershed development.
- Option B
Linking perennial and seasonal rivers is not part of the IWDP; it belongs to the inter-linking of rivers proposal.
- Option D
Statement 2 about linking rivers is not a component of watershed development programmes.
Q12Environment·Conservation Programmes and MissionsPYQ 2012
In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass?
- ABiosphere Reserves
- BNational ParksCorrect
- CWetlands declared under Ramsar Convention
- DWildlife Sanctuaries
Explanation
Correct. National Parks under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 have the strictest protection; no grazing, biomass collection, or private rights are permitted within them.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option A
Biosphere Reserves have buffer and transition zones where local communities can sustainably use resources.
- Option C
Ramsar designation does not automatically prohibit biomass collection; management depends on national legislation and site-specific rules.
- Option D
Wildlife Sanctuaries allow certain rights like grazing to continue if they existed before notification, subject to the Chief Wildlife Warden's approval.