Conservation Challenges for Critically Endangered Species in India
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Directly addresses India's commitment to biodiversity conservation, the effectiveness of environmental laws, the challenges of sustainable development, and the need for integrated approaches to protect unique ecosystems and species.
India, a megadiverse country, faces significant challenges in conserving its critically endangered species, often due to developmental pressures and habitat loss. These species, like the white-bellied heron, require specialized habitats and are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances, necessitating robust legal protection and effective on-ground implementation of conservation strategies.
Facts & tables
- IUCN Status
- White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) is listed as 'critically endangered' on the IUCN Red List since 2007.
- Legal Protection
- It is protected under Schedule I of India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, granting it the highest level of legal protection.
- Habitat Specificity
- Its habitat is restricted to fast-flowing Himalayan river systems and mature riparian forests, making it highly susceptible to changes in water flow and forest cover.
- Population & Distribution
- India's population is critically low (6-9 individuals), primarily found in the Lohit River basin of Arunachal Pradesh.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Biodiversity Conservation |
| Conceptual area | Environmental Governance |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Union Environment Ministry | Policy formulation, regulatory oversight for clearances |
| Forest Advisory Committee | Statutory body under moefcc, grants forest clearances |
| Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India, Ltd. | Public sector undertaking, project developer |
| Arunachal Pradesh government | State-level partner in development projects, state forest department for conservation |
| Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment | Research and advocacy on ecological issues |
| Aaranyak | Non-governmental organization, field conservation and research |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Critically endangered status (IUCN) and Schedule I protection (WPA 1972).
- Habitat: Fast-flowing rivers, mature riparian forests in Eastern Himalayas.
- Threats: Hydroelectric projects, sand mining, pollution, tourism.
- Conservation needs: Basin-level approach, effective EIA, breeding centres.
- Policy gap: Strong laws exist, but implementation is weak.
Species is organism; habitat is where it lives.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2020 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2020 | Factual recall |
| 2017 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2017 | Conceptual understanding, Factual recall |
| 2015 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
Timeline
-
Biodiversity Conservation
Conceptual area
-
Environmental Governance
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2017
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2017
Conceptual understanding, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2020
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2020
Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
India’s rarest heron faces a silent end as new dam ignores its home
Focuses on the plight of critically endangered species like the white-bellied heron, highlighting threats from infrastructure projects and the need for stronger policy implementation and basin-level conservation strategies.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2015–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
India’s rarest heron faces a silent end as new dam ignores its home
Focuses on the plight of critically endangered species like the white-bellied heron, highlighting threats from infrastructure projects and the need for stronger policy implementation and basin-level conservation strategies.
Try these PYQs
With respect to the Western Hoolock Gibbons, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. 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.
2. They have specialized brachiation and can easily swing between trees.
3. They possess a strong and heavy build like gorillas, yet are remarkably agile tree climbers.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Correct: The Western Hoolock Gibbon is native to North-east India, and the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam is a prominent protected area specifically dedicated to this species. Furthermore, the Western Hoolock Gibbon is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Statement 2 is Correct: They are highly arboreal canopy-dwellers. They move primarily through brachiation—a specialized mode of locomotion where they use their exceptionally long arms to swing swiftly and effortlessly from tree branch to tree branch. Statement 3 is Incorrect: Gibbons are classified as "lesser apes" (family *Hylobatidae*). Unlike "great apes" such as gorillas which possess massive, heavy builds, Hoolock gibbons are small, slender, and lightweight. Adults typically weigh only 6 to 9 kg, a physical adaptation that is essential for their remarkable aerial agility in the forest canopy. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
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.
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.
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.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Statement-II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Statement-I is incorrect: Following the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, the number of schedules was reduced from six to four. Schedule V (the vermin category) was abolished. The Indian Flying Fox is currently listed under Schedule II, providing it with higher protection. It is no longer legally classified as "vermin" under the Act. Statement-II is incorrect: The Indian Flying Fox is one of the largest bats in the world and is a frugivore. Its diet consists of fruits (like mangoes, guavas, and figs) and nectar. It does not feed on blood; "vampire bats" are a different group of species found primarily in Central and South America. Note: None of the option is correct as both options are incorrect, UPSC dropped this question from the final answer key.
Show 3 more PYQs
According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law?
1. Gharial
2. Indian wild ass
3. Wild Buffalo
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Gharial: Listed in Schedule I of the Act. Schedule I includes species with the highest protection, prohibiting hunting entirely except under exceptional circumstances like disease control or to prevent human attacks. Therefore, hunting Gharial is illegal. Indian wild ass: Listed in Schedule I of the Act. Similar to Gharial, hunting the Indian wild ass is also prohibited. Wild Buffalo: Listed in Schedule I of the Indian WildLife (Protection) Act, 1972. So, Wild Buffalo cannot be hunted. _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._
Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements:
I. It is an omnivorous crustacean.
II. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas.
III. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula) is a rare, tree-dwelling spider found in limited forest areas in India. ❌ Statement I is incorrect:
* It is a spider (arachnid), not an omnivorous crustacean. ✅ Statement II is correct:
* Its habitat is restricted to some forest areas in the Eastern Ghats. ✅ Statement III is correct:
* It is arboreal, living in trees and tree crevices. So, the correct answer is: D
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.