Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas

Nagarhole National Park is located in the Kodagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is indeed located in the Cauvery basin. Papikonda National Park is not located in the Cauvery basin. It is actually located in the Godavari basin. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve lies on the banks of the River Bhavani, a tributary of the River Cauvery in the foothills of the Eastern Ghats. So, it is located in the Cauvery basin. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: The Kabini river, a tributary of the Cauvery river, flows through the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Hence, it is also located in the Cauvery basin. So, the correct answer includes Nagarhole National Park, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

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.

* 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.

Statement 1 is correct: Female elephants, particularly older and more experienced ones, often lead the herd, while males may roam alone or form bachelor groups. Statement 2 is correct: The gestation period for elephants is indeed one of the longest among mammals, ranging from about 18 to 22 months. Statement 3 is incorrect: Female elephants can continue to reproduce well into their 40s and sometimes even into their 50s, although their reproductive capability tends to decrease with age. Statement 4 is incorrect: Kerala does have a significant elephant population, but the highest elephant population in India is typically found in the state of Karnataka, followed by Assam.

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.

Biochar is a solid product obtained during the pyrolysis of biomass. It is a porous, carbon-rich material that has a wide range of uses, with soil improvement, remediation, and pollution control playing the most significant roles. In agriculture, biochar is primarily used to increase crop nutrition, plant growth, and soil fertility. Statement 1 is correct. Biochar can indeed be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming. It helps in improving the soil structure and fertility, thereby promoting plant growth. Statement 2 is correct. Biochar promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. These microorganisms play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. Statement 3 is correct. Biochar also enables the growing medium to retain water for a longer time. Its porous nature allows it to hold onto water and nutrients, making them readily available for plant roots. Therefore, all three statements are correct.

Eco-friendly agriculture refers to farming practices that are sustainable and cause minimal harm to the environment. Crop diversification is one such practice. It involves growing a variety of crops in the same area over different seasons. This method enhances soil health, reduces the need for excessive water and fertilizers, and boosts biodiversity in the ecosystem. By rotating crops, it also helps in preventing soil depletion and improves resilience against pests and diseases. Legume intensification is another eco-friendly practice. Legumes are known to improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, making agriculture more sustainable. Tensiometer is a useful tool in efficient water management. It measures the water tension in soil, which helps in determining the availability of water for crops. By ensuring that water is used efficiently, it reduces waste and promotes sustainable water usage, making it an eco-friendly farming practice. Vertical farming involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often using advanced techniques like hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics, which do not require soil. While this method can increase production and reduce land usage, it requires high energy consumption and specialized technology. Hence, it is not widely considered as an eco-friendly practice. Therefore, the correct answer is A. 1, 2, and 3 only.

* The Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet, and White-throated redstart are all species of birds. * The Ceylon frogmouth is a species native to the Western Ghats and parts of Sri Lanka. Known for its unique frog-like appearance and nocturnal habits, it thrives in dense forests. * The Coppersmith barbet is a small, colorful bird found across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. It is named after the sound it makes, which resembles the sound of a coppersmith striking metal. * The Gray-chinned minivet is a species commonly found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. This bird is known for its vibrant plumage and its presence in hilly, forested areas. * The White-throated redstart is a striking bird found in regions of Nepal, Bhutan, central China, and the far northern parts of Myanmar and Northeast India. It is known for its contrasting black and white plumage and bright red tail feathers.

Statement 1 is correct: Desert National Park is located in Rajasthan and is one of the largest national parks in India, covering an area of around 3,162 km². It represents the Thar Desert ecosystem, featuring sand dunes, rocky terrain, and sparse vegetation. The park is spread across Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. Statement 2 is incorrect: Unlike some protected areas, human settlements exist within Desert National Park. Several villages and communities, including those engaged in livestock rearing, are located inside the park. Statement 3 is correct: The park is one of the last strongholds of the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), which is critically endangered. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs, are ongoing to protect this bird.
Therefore, the correct answer is that statements 1 and 3 are correct.

* Critical Tiger Habitats (CTH), also known as core areas of tiger reserves, are identified under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 based on scientific evidence that such areas are required to be kept as inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation. * Among the options given, Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve has the largest area under 'Critical Tiger Habitat'. It spreads over five districts and the total area of the tiger reserve is 3,728 sq. km.