Wildlife Translocation and Metapopulation Approach in Conservation
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Crucial for understanding modern conservation strategies, species survival, and the scientific basis for policy decisions in wildlife management. Relevant for Environment & Ecology, and policy implementation challenges.
Wildlife translocation involves the deliberate movement of living organisms from one area to another for conservation purposes, often to establish new populations or augment existing ones. The metapopulation approach is a conservation strategy that views a species as a network of spatially separated populations that interact through dispersal, aiming to reduce extinction risk by distributing populations across multiple habitats.
Facts & tables
- Risk Mitigation
- Reduces vulnerability of a species to single catastrophic events (diseases, natural disasters) by diversifying geographical distribution.
- Genetic Health
- Enhances genetic diversity and long-term viability by creating multiple, interconnected populations.
- Scientific Basis
- Supported by decades of government-backed research and scientific consensus, advocating for risk diversification.
- Judicial Mandate
- Mandated by the Supreme Court of India for Asiatic lions to Kuno National Park, highlighting its legal backing in critical cases.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Conservation Biology |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Wildlife Institute of India (WII) | Conducts research |
| Supreme Court of India | Mandates policy |
| Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) | Formulates policy |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Translocation: deliberate movement of species for conservation.
- Metapopulation: network of interacting, spatially separated populations.
- Reduces extinction risk from single catastrophic events.
- Enhances genetic diversity and long-term viability.
- Supreme Court mandated for Asiatic lions to Kuno NP.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2020 | Factual recall |
| 2020 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2020 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2019 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Conceptual understanding, Factual recall |
| 2014 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
Timeline
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Conservation Biology
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2014
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2017
Conceptual understanding, Factual recall
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Prelims 2019
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
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Prelims 2020
Factual recall
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Prelims 2020
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2020
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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India needs a second home for Asiatic lions
A key conservation strategy involving moving species to new habitats to create multiple, interconnected populations (metapopulations), thereby safeguarding against localized threats and ensuring long-term genetic health and resilience.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2014–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
India needs a second home for Asiatic lions
A key conservation strategy involving moving species to new habitats to create multiple, interconnected populations (metapopulations), thereby safeguarding against localized threats and ensuring long-term genetic health and resilience.
Try these PYQs
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.
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.
Consider the following international agreements:
1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
3. The World Heritage Convention
Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture focuses on ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. This directly impacts biodiversity as it aims to protect the variety of plant species crucial for food security and ecosystem health. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification addresses land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. Desertification can significantly reduce biodiversity by destroying habitats and reducing plant and animal life. By working to combat desertification, this convention indirectly protects biodiversity. The World Heritage Convention focuses on preserving cultural and natural heritage sites. Conservation natural heritage sites may contribute to biodiversity conservation.
Thus 'D' 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.
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.
Show 3 more PYQs
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.
With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements:
1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, all wild animals in protected areas are the property of the government. But, Section 42 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 deals with Certificates of Ownership, empowering the Chief Wildlife Warden to issue these for lawfully possessed wild animals or animal articles (trophies, etc.) with a person. This ensures traceability, allowing identification marking and conditions for housing captive animals, and requires owners to surrender such items if no longer desired, with cancellation of the certificate. Statement 2 is correct: The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for the protection of wild animals, whether they are found inside or outside the designated protected areas. Statement 3 is incorrect: As per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the capture or killing of a protected wild animal is strictly prohibited, even if it is perceived to be a danger to human life. Special permission is required from the authorities for any such action.
Consider the following statements :
1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.
3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. While the Ramsar Convention encourages member countries to take action for wetland conservation and wise use, there's no legal mandate to protect all wetlands. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were formulated by the Indian government to regulate activities in wetlands, and their development was not certainly influenced by the Ramsar Convention's principles. The rules also consider other national legislations and priorities. Statement 3 is correct. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 do encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands. This holistic approach recognizes the importance of the surrounding area for the overall health and functioning of the wetland ecosystem.