Challenges in Species Conservation
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Understanding the multifaceted challenges in species conservation is crucial for policymakers and administrators. It tests knowledge of ecological principles, socio-economic drivers of biodiversity loss, and the effectiveness of various conservation strategies, including community participation and data-driven approaches.
Species conservation involves protecting individual species from extinction and maintaining their populations within their natural habitats. It addresses threats like habitat loss, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and overexploitation, often requiring a multi-faceted approach including research, policy, and community engagement.
Facts & tables
- Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
- Primary threats include agricultural expansion (especially irrigated agriculture), urbanisation, road networks, and fragmentation of open scrubland.
- Data Deficiency
- Lack of baseline surveys, population trends, and distribution data hinders effective conservation planning for many species.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict
- Traditional practices (e.g., 'fox jallikattu'), direct persecution, road kills, and disease transmission from feral animals pose significant threats.
- 'Edge Species' Vulnerability
- Species inhabiting transitional zones between forests and human-dominated areas often fall outside protected areas, requiring inter-departmental coordination for protection.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu Forest Department | Implements |
| Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) | Researches |
| Salem Innovation Centre | Researches and educates |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions
- Habitat loss (agriculture, urbanisation) and fragmentation are key drivers of species decline.
- Lack of baseline data and population trends impedes effective conservation efforts.
- Human-wildlife conflict, including traditional practices, adds pressure on species.
- 'Edge species' outside protected areas require inter-departmental and community-led efforts.
- Awareness campaigns and task forces are crucial for local conservation success.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Factual recall |
| 2020 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2020 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Conceptual understanding, Factual recall |
| 2015 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2014 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2013 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2014
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2015
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2017
Conceptual understanding, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2020
Factual recall
-
Prelims 2020
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2020
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Tamil Nadu’s elusive Bengal foxes and their shrinking space
Species conservation faces major hurdles from habitat destruction, lack of scientific data, and human-wildlife interactions, particularly for species outside formal protected areas.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2013–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
Tamil Nadu’s elusive Bengal foxes and their shrinking space
Species conservation faces major hurdles from habitat destruction, lack of scientific data, and human-wildlife interactions, particularly for species outside formal protected areas.
Try these PYQs
Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?
✅ A. The European Union:
The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is an EU legislative initiative adopted in 2024. It sets binding targets to restore ecosystems, fight climate change, and protect biodiversity across EU member states. ❌ B. The World Bank:
An international financial institution providing loans and grants; it does not enact laws like the NRL. ❌ C. OECD:
An organization promoting economic cooperation and policy coordination; it does not enact binding environmental laws such as the NRL. ❌ D. FAO:
A UN agency focused on hunger and agriculture; it does not enact regional laws like the NRL.
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?
Southern swamp deer/ hard ground swamp deer, a unique sub-species of Barasingha, also known as the Indian swamp deer, is a herbivorous species that feeds exclusively on grasses (graminivorous) and is well adapted to is adapted to hard ground in open sal forest. Kanha National Park is well-known for the conservation of hard ground swamp deer. Conservation efforts by the park have helped revive its numbers from near extinction. Therefore, the correct answer is Kanha National Park.
Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat?
1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Gangotri National Park
3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Manas National Park
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Askot Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttarakhand): Musk deer are found in the high altitudes of the Himalayan region. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Uttarakhand, is specifically known for conserving the musk deer and its habitat. Gangotri National Park (Uttarakhand): Gangotri National Park, also located in Uttarakhand, is another high altitude region where musk deer can be found. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh): This sanctuary primarily consists of terai grasslands and does not provide a suitable habitat for musk deer. Manas National Park (Assam): This park is located in the northeastern plains and is home to species like tigers, rhinos, and elephants, but not musk deer. Therefore, the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat are Askot Wildlife Sanctuary and Gangotri National Park.
If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
* The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants. It classifies species into six schedules, each offering different levels of protection. * Schedule VI of the Act pertains to certain plants that are prohibited from cultivation and planting without a license. Therefore, If a plant species is listed under Schedule VI, it means a license is required for its cultivation. * The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 amended the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The amendment reduced the number of schedules from six to four, simplifying wildlife classification and protection levels. Additionally, the Act also aligned the provisions with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) by introducing a separate schedule (Sch. IV) for species covered under CITES.
In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?
In 1972, the Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA) was enacted for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants. It was made to prevent hunting and also to control trade in wildlife products.
Wildlife laws divide species into schedules ranked from I to V. Section 9 of WPA prohibits hunting of any wild animal specified in Schedules 1, 2, 3, and 4. Tiger is listed in Schedule I of the act. So if a species is listed in Schedule I of the act, It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger. Note: The Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972 underwent amendments in 2022 which impacted the scheduling of wild animals. Previously, there were six schedules. The amendment streamlined them into four schedules.
Show 3 more PYQs
With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities, in those zones except agriculture.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Eco-Sensitive Zones are not under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972. They are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. While they often surround protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries and national parks established under the Wildlife Act, they are a separate mechanism. Statement 2 is incorrect: Eco-Sensitive Zones do not prohibit all human activities. The purpose is to regulate and manage specific activities to minimize their impact on the sensitive ecosystem. Some sustainable activities like agriculture, local communities' traditional practices, and eco-tourism may be permitted with regulations.
In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat?
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Kerala
3. Karnataka
4. Andhra Pradesh
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
* The lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), or the wanderoo, is an Old World monkey endemic to the Western Ghats of South India. * A recent assessment for IUCN reports 3000-3500 of these animals live scattered over several areas in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. * The lion-tailed macaque ranks among the rarest and most threatened primates. * IUCN Status: Endangered. * Silent Valley has the largest number of lion-tailed macaques in South India.
With reference to ‘dugong’, mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
2. It is found along the entire coast of India
3. It is given legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct: The Dugong is a herbivorous marine animal. Dugongs are marine mammals that feed on seagrass meadows. Statement 2 is incorrect: While once more widespread, dugong populations are now concentrated in specific areas. They are primarily found in -The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay off the coast of Tamil Nadu -The Andaman and Nicobar Islands -The Gulf of Kutch Statement 3 is correct: It is given legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.