Set 2 | Important Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve MCQs

Correct Answer is D.

• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Kerala, famous for its wild elephants. It is a renowned sanctuary in the Western Ghats, known for its rich biodiversity and scenic beauty.
• The sanctuary is particularly well-known for its elephant population, and visitors can often see herds of elephants in their natural habitat.
• The sanctuary also offers opportunities for boat rides on the Periyar Lake, providing a unique way to observe wildlife, including elephants, in the surrounding forested areas.

Correct Answer is B.

• Betla (Palamu) National Park is located in the Chota Nagpur Plateau of the Palamu district of the Indian State of Jharkhand, erstwhile Bihar, in India. It was established in 1986 and is associated with ‘Project Tiger’.

Correct Answer is C.

• Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, established in 1996, is located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. Covering an area of 256.14 sq. km, this marine national park is known for its rich marine biodiversity and coral reefs.
• It is named after Rani Lakshmibai (Rani of Jhansi), a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle.
• The park includes several islands and their surrounding waters, making it a haven for marine life, including coral reefs, sea turtles, colorful fishes, and various other aquatic species.
• It is a popular spot for activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, and marine exploration, attracting both researchers and nature enthusiasts.

Correct Answer is A.

• The Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR), shared between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is India’s largest tiger reserve, covering a total area of 5,907.7 sq. km.
• Post the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the reserve was divided, with 3,296.31 sq. km falling under Andhra Pradesh and 2,611.39 sq. km under Telangana.
• This reserve, situated in the Nallamala Hills, is known for its dense forests, diverse wildlife, and rich biodiversity, including a significant population of Bengal tigers.
• It also houses several other species, such as leopards, sloth bears, and deer, along with a variety of birds and reptiles. The reserve is an essential part of Project Tiger and plays a critical role in tiger conservation in India.

Correct Answer is A.

• Dhoopgarh Peak is situated in Satpura National Park. Satpura National Park is located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. Satpura national park covers an area of 524 km. sq and established in 1981.

Correct Answer is C.

Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH), also known as the Core Area, is an essential part of tiger reserves where human activity is highly restricted to protect tiger populations and their prey. Among the options provided:

1. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve: This reserve, spanning over 5,907.7 sq. km, has the largest area under Critical Tiger Habitat in India. The vast forested landscape, located in the Nallamala Hills, provides an ideal habitat for tigers.
2. Jim Corbett National Park: While it is India’s first national park and a key tiger reserve, its Critical Tiger Habitat is much smaller than Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam.
3. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve: Though significant for its tiger population, it is smaller in area compared to Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam.
4. Sunderbans Tiger Reserve: While the Sunderbans is crucial for its unique mangrove ecosystem and tiger population, its Critical Tiger Habitat area is smaller than Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam.

Hence, Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve has the largest area under Critical Tiger Habitat.

Correct Answer is A.

• Gir National Park is located in Junagadh, Gujarat. It is famous for the habitat of Asiatic Lions. Besides, Sambhar and Cheetal are also found in Gir National Park.

Correct Answer is *.

• In the year 1995, when the question was asked, Great Rann of Kutch was not listed in Biosphere Reserves declared by Government of India. But in 2008, it was also listed in Biosphere Reserves of India.

Correct Answer is B.

Correct Answer is B.

• Agasthyamalai: Declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2001, it spans across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Nilgiri: Declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1986, it is the first Biosphere Reserve in India, spanning Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
• Pachmarhi: Declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1999, it is located in Madhya Pradesh and is known for its unique flora and fauna.
• Nallamalai: While this region is part of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, it has not been declared a Biosphere Reserve.