Set 12 | Important Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve MCQs

Correct Answer is C.

• Dampa Tiger Reserve, the largest wildlife sanctuary in Mizoram was notified in 1985 and declared Tiger Reserve in 1994. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Tripura.
• Saramati is a peak rising above the surrounding peaks at the mountainous border of Nagaland State, India and the Sagaing region of Burma. Hence 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

Correct Answer is A.

• Harike Wetland is located downstream the confluence of the Vyas and Satluj rivers. Keoladeo Ghana National Park is located at the confluence of two rivers, the Gambhir and Banganga.
• Kolleru Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India in Andhra Pradesh between Krishna and Godavari deltas. Hence, only option (1) is correctly matched.

Correct Answer is C.

Gulf of Kachchh Marine Sanctuary is India’s first marine sanctuary, established in 1980.It spans an area of about 457 sq. km, and its ecosystem includes:

• Coral reefs: One of the most diverse coral ecosystems in India.
• Marine species: Dolphins, sea turtles, dugongs, and fish species.
• Mangroves: Act as nurseries for marine organisms.
• Migratory birds: Flamingos, pelicans, and other seabirds find refuge here.

Located along the Gujarat coast, it contributes to biodiversity conservation and marine ecosystem protection.

[A] Sundarbans:

• Known for the Sundarbans National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Famous for mangrove forests and Bengal tigers (not coral reefs).

[B] Chilka Lake:

• Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon in Odisha.
• A Ramsar site famous for its bird sanctuary and Irrawaddy dolphins but not coral reefs.

[D] Lakshadweep:

• Known for atolls and coral reefs, but it is not India’s first marine sanctuary.
• Has a rich marine biodiversity but lacks the legal designation as the first sanctuary.

Correct Answer is A.

• The term “Cloud Goats” refers to the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), a highly endangered species of mountain goat found in the Western Ghats of India.
• Eravikulam National Park, located in Kerala, is the primary habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr and is home to the largest population of this species.
• The park is situated in the Western Ghats at an altitude of about 2,000 meters (6,600 feet), offering a misty, cloud-covered environment, hence the name “Cloud Goats.”

[B] Mann Forest:

• Likely refers to the Mann Forest Division in Tamil Nadu, part of the Western Ghats, but it is not known as a prominent habitat for the Nilgiri Tahr.

[C] Periyar Reserve:

• Located in Kerala, known for its tiger reserve and elephants, but not for the Nilgiri Tahr.

[D] Silent Valley:

• Located in Kerala, famous for its pristine tropical rainforests and biodiversity, but it is not the primary habitat for the Nilgiri Tahr.

Correct Answer is D.

• Valley of Flowers National Park lies completely in the temperate alpine zone. Valley of flowers is situated in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. This valley is situated in backdrop of Zaskar range of Himalayas.

Correct Answer is B.

• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Idukki district of Kerala, along the Western Ghats.
• It is a protected area known for its diverse flora and fauna, including dry deciduous forests, thorny scrub forests, and riverine vegetation.
• The sanctuary is home to:
  • Endangered species: Grizzled giant squirrel, star tortoise, and Indian elephant.
  • Rare flora: Sandalwood trees and medicinal plants.
• It lies near the Anamalai Hills and borders the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.

[A] Jammu and Kashmir:

• The region is known for Himalayan wildlife sanctuaries like Dachigam National Park, but Chinnar is located in South India.

[C] Sikkim:

• Known for alpine wildlife sanctuaries such as Khangchendzonga National Park, but it does not host Chinnar.

[D] Tamil Nadu:

• Though close to Kerala, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is officially located in Kerala, not Tamil Nadu.

Correct Answer is A.

• Karikili Bird Sanctuary is situated near Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, and is approximately 86 km from Chennai.
• It is a wetland sanctuary, spread over 61.21 hectares, and serves as a seasonal home to many migratory birds.
• The sanctuary is known for species such as:
  • Open-billed storks
  • Grey herons
  • Egrets
  • Teals and ducks

Correct Answer is A.

• Kew Gardens covers an area of approximately 300 acres and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It houses:
  • Over 50,000 living plant species.
  • The world’s largest collection of herbarium specimens, with over 8.5 million preserved plant and fungal specimens.
  • Famous attractions like the Palm House, Temperate House, and the Great Pagoda.
• It serves as a global center for botanical research, plant conservation, and education.

Correct Answer is C.

• Bundala Biosphere Reserve is located in the southeastern region of Sri Lanka, near Hambantota.
• It was recognized and added to the UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) network in 2005 for its ecological significance.
• The reserve is a wetland ecosystem, notable for:
  • Being a Ramsar Wetland Site and a critical habitat for migratory birds.
  • Hosting species like flamingos, pelicans, and painted storks.
  • A diverse range of ecosystems, including coastal lagoons, sand dunes, and marshlands.

[A] Russia:

• Russia has several biosphere reserves, but Bundala is not among them.

[B] India:

• India has numerous biosphere reserves (e.g., Nilgiri, Sunderbans), but Bundala is located in Sri Lanka.

[D] Bangladesh:

• Bangladesh is home to significant reserves like the Sundarbans, but Bundala is not part of its ecosystem.