Wildlife Conservation

1.Regulating Trade in Wildlife

• CITES: Origin, Secretariat and Legal CharacterImportance 5/5UPSC 2015
  CITES controls only one kind of activity in wildlife. Be clear about which one, and about its other common name. Remember when it was signed and came into force, which UN body hosts its Secretariat and where, when India joined, and roughly how many Parties it has (a number that changes). Is it binding on its Parties, and does it replace their national laws? Understand how it differs from IUCN and TRAFFIC.
• CITES Appendices I, II and IIIImportance 5/5
  Be clear about what trade each Appendix allows, the narrow exception for Appendix I, and who can add species to each one. Which of them includes 'look-alike' species.
• Permits and India's CITES AuthoritiesImportance 3/5
  Understand how the CITES licensing system works through Management and Scientific Authorities. Remember which Indian offices act in each role, and what part the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau plays.
• CITES CoP18 and CoP19: India's Listing ProposalsImportance 3/5
  Which of India's proposals at CoP18 and CoP19 were transfers to Appendix I, which were new Appendix II listings or deletions, and which succeeded? Remember each species with its outcome. Also know what Operation Turtshield is and why CoP19 took note of it.
• Ivory Trade and the CITES Big Cat Task ForceImportance 3/5
  How did the global ban on ivory trade begin, and why do some African elephant populations sit in Appendix II? Distinguish how Asian and African elephants are listed, and remember what happened to Zambia's proposal. Know the purpose of the Big Cat Task Force and India's policy on African ivory imports.
• CITES CoP20 (Samarkand, 2025)Importance 3/5
  Why was CoP20 a special meeting, and when and where was it held? Remember the marine species moved to Appendix I. Why did India oppose listing guggul, and what is guggul?
• World Wildlife DayImportance 2/5
  On which date is World Wildlife Day observed, who proclaimed it and in which year? Why was that date chosen?
• World Wildlife Trade Report and World Wildlife Crime ReportImportance 2/5
  Learn which bodies are behind each report, and which kind of trade (legal or illegal) each one studies. Remember the main finding on how much legal trade involves wild-sourced species. Also know the animal and plant groups most affected by illegal trade.
• Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE)Importance 3/5
  What does MIKE measure, and under which treaty was it set up? Remember its purpose and where India stands among the Asian sites in the programme.
• TRAFFICImportance 4/5UPSC 2017
  Is TRAFFIC a United Nations body, a treaty or an NGO? Remember who founded it, where it is based and what its mission is. Understand how it works alongside CITES.
• International Consortium on Combating Wildlife CrimeImportance 3/5
  When and where was this consortium set up, and what does it aim to do? Remember its five partner agencies.
• South Asia Wildlife Enforcement NetworkImportance 3/5
  What is SAWEN, and which region does it cover? Remember when it was launched, where its Secretariat sits and how many members it has. Understand its objectives against wildlife crime: harmonised laws, documenting trends and building capacity. Be clear about India's place in it.
• CAWT and CEWTOImportance 1/5
  Who leads each coalition, and what does each target? Be clear about how they differ in founding year, founders and focus.
• World Wide Fund for Nature and the Living Planet ReportImportance 3/5
  Remember how and where WWF began, what kind of body it is today, and its main areas of work. Know its flagship Living Planet Report (how often it appears and since when) and its well-known campaigns.
• Earth Hour and Earth DayImportance 3/5UPSC 2014
  Who organises Earth Hour, since when, and on which day and at what time is it held? Is it an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO? Remember its purpose. Then learn Earth Day: its date, its organiser and the year it began.
• Debt-for-Nature SwapImportance 2/5
  Understand how a debt-for-nature swap works and what condition is attached to the debt relief.
• International Whaling CommissionImportance 3/5
  Under which convention was the IWC set up, and is it a UN body? Remember its headquarters, India's place in it, what its moratorium covers and when it was adopted, and which whaling is still allowed. Know what the 2018 Florianopolis meeting led to, and what a whale sanctuary is.
• International Fund for Animal WelfareImportance 1/5
  What is IFAW, and which campaign did it begin with? Remember its founding year and its link with IUCN.
• Laws and Policies Regulating Wildlife Trade in IndiaImportance 3/5
  Which four instruments together regulate international wildlife trade in India? Understand what each does, and which ministry or office is involved. Know how licensing by the Director-General of Foreign Trade works, and the rules on zoo exchange, pets and African ivory.
• WCCB as India's CITES Enforcement AgencyImportance 3/5
  Remember when and under which Act the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau was created, and why it is the nodal agency for CITES enforcement. Understand its mandate (intelligence, data bank, coordination, capacity building and help in prosecutions) and its help to customs officers.
• WCCB Operations and Awareness CampaignsImportance 2/5
  What did Operation Clean Art target, and why was it a concern? Remember what Operation Turtshield aimed at. Know the awareness campaign the Bureau ran with UN Environment, and what it aimed to reduce.

2.Convention on Migratory Species

• Convention on Migratory Species: Origin, Nature and AppendicesImportance 4/5
  By what other name is the CMS known, and which UN body is linked with it? Remember when it was concluded and when it came into force. Distinguish the duties for Appendix I and Appendix II species, and know the role of the COP and how often it meets. How does CMS differ from CITES in what it protects?
• CMS COP13 and the Gandhinagar DeclarationImportance 3/5
  Where and when did COP13 meet, and what role did India get afterwards? Understand what the Gandhinagar Declaration called for. Remember the Indian species added to Appendix I at this meeting.
• CMS COP14 and the State of the World's Migratory Species ReportImportance 3/5
  Remember where COP14 met and its main outputs: the strategic plan to 2032 and the Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity. Learn the main findings of the first State of the World's Migratory Species report, including which group of species is at highest risk.
• CMS COP15 (Campo Grande, 2026)Importance 3/5
  When and where did COP15 meet? Remember its main new listings, including the striped hyena, a cheetah population and several sharks. Know the interim status report it received, and where the next COP is due.
• Central Asian Mammals InitiativeImportance 3/5
  When and where did CAMI begin, and which 14 range states, including India, take part? Remember its aim and the number of species it covers. Be clear about which of its species occur in India and which do not, for example the saiga and the wild double-humped camel.

3.International Union for Conservation of Nature

• IUCN: Nature, Headquarters and WorkImportance 4/5UPSC 2015
  Is IUCN an organ of the United Nations? Remember where it is headquartered and its main work: research, field projects and the Red List. Know the Species Survival Commission and the Invasive Species Specialist Group that works under it.
• IUCN Red List and Red Data BookImportance 4/5UPSC 2010, 2011
  What is the Red List, and when did it begin? Which three categories count as "threatened"? Understand what a Red Data Book lists. Does it also list endemic species or protected sites? Learn what the pink and green pages stand for.
• IUCN Red List CategoriesImportance 5/5UPSC 2012
  Learn the nine Red List categories in order, from Extinct to Not Evaluated. Distinguish Extinct from Extinct in the Wild, and Near Threatened from Least Concern. Understand why Data Deficient and Not Evaluated are not levels of threat.
• Red List Criteria and Critically Endangered ThresholdsImportance 3/5
  Know the set criteria used to assign categories: population decline, range size, small population size and the probability of extinction. Remember the thresholds for Critically Endangered, including the time period used for the decline. Why can a species be Critically Endangered with more than 50 mature individuals?
• Recent Red List Status ChangesImportance 3/5
  Remember the green sea turtle and the Iberian lynx, and the direction in which each moved. Know the 2026 changes for the emperor penguin and the Antarctic fur seal. The total numbers of species assessed and threatened change with every update, so know the latest figures.
• IUCN World Conservation CongressImportance 3/5
  How often does the Congress meet? Remember the last two venues and years, the Marseille Manifesto and the main themes of the 2025 Congress.
• National Red List Assessment InitiativeImportance 3/5
  Who launched this initiative, and where? Remember its species target and deadline, and the two nodal agencies. Understand how it supports India's commitments under the CBD and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• BirdLife International and Important Bird and Biodiversity AreasImportance 4/5UPSC 2015
  What kind of body is BirdLife International, and what is its role for birds on the Red List? Understand what Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas are, and which Indian body is its partner. Did the idea of biodiversity hotspots come from BirdLife?
• AviListImportance 2/5
  What is AviList, and why is it called the first of its kind? Remember which bodies developed it, and which older checklists it replaces.
• Bombay Natural History SocietyImportance 3/5UPSC 2014
  When was BNHS founded, and what does it do? Remember its journal and the naturalists linked to it. Is it an autonomous body under the environment ministry?

4.Tiger Conservation

• Tiger Population Decline and Tiger SubspeciesImportance 3/5
  How far did tiger numbers fall worldwide, and what was India's lowest count, in which year? Understand what happened at Sariska. Know the commonly listed tiger subspecies and which ones are extinct. Note that the number of recognised subspecies differs between classifications.
• Challenges to Tiger ConservationImportance 3/5
  You should be able to explain the main challenges: pressure on habitat, invasive species, poaching and the early saturation of habitats. Which countries have rebuilt tiger numbers, and which have struggled?
• Canine Distemper Virus in WildlifeImportance 2/5
  How does canine distemper reach wild cats? Remember the 2018 outbreak in Gir. Understand why vaccinating dogs around protected areas is the preferred approach.
• Project TigerImportance 5/5
  Why was Project Tiger launched, and when and where did it begin? Remember the census that prompted it. Understand the core-buffer strategy, the relocation of villages and the Tiger Protection Force. What type of scheme is it, and which body administers it?
• Government Measures for Tiger ConservationImportance 3/5
  Learn the legal, administrative and financial measures taken for tigers: the 2006 changes in law and tougher punishment, monsoon patrolling, the Special Tiger Protection Force and State steering committees. Understand the three-pronged strategy for human-tiger conflict.
• Tiger Task Force and the Origin of NTCAImportance 2/5
  Why did Project Tiger need a statutory authority? Understand how the National Board for Wildlife, a Task Force and the NTCA followed one another, and what the Task Force recommended.
• NTCA: Composition, Functions and Control Over Tiger ReservesImportance 4/5
  Is the NTCA a statutory body, and under which Act? Remember its chair and members, its functions and its annual report to Parliament. Whose approval is needed to change the boundary of a tiger reserve or to denotify it? Know what States must set up: steering committees, a Tiger Conservation Plan and a Tiger Conservation Foundation.
• Core and Buffer Zones of Tiger ReservesImportance 4/5UPSC 2020
  How is each zone notified or fixed, and what legal status does the core area have? Distinguish what is allowed in each, such as minor forest produce and grazing. Understand how the NTCA monitors tiger reserves.
• Forest Rights in Tiger Reserves and the Soligas CaseImportance 3/5
  Why does the Forest Rights Act cause tension with the protected core areas of tiger reserves? Understand the Soligas of the Biligiri Rangana Hills as a much-cited exception, and what makes their case unusual.
• Tiger Corridors and Least-Cost PathwaysImportance 3/5
  What is a tiger corridor, and why does it matter for gene flow? Know who mapped the major corridors and what least-cost pathways are. Why could this mapping raise a worry about clearances for mining?
• Macro-Landscape Tiger Corridors of IndiaImportance 2/5
  Remember the four landscapes used for corridor mapping (the tiger census uses five) and a few standard corridors in each, with the states they pass through (for example Rajaji-Corbett, Kanha-Pench, Nagarahole-Bandipur-Mudumalai-Wayanad, Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong and Manas-Buxa).
• Tiger Census: Agencies, Frequency and MethodsImportance 3/5
  Which bodies carry out the tiger census, and how often? How do the pugmark, camera-trap and scat DNA methods differ? Understand double sampling and what happens in each phase.
• M-STrIPESImportance 3/5UPSC 2017
  What is M-STrIPES, who launched it and when? Understand its two components, and how forest guards' GPS patrol records are used.
• Tiger Census 2022: Findings and TrendsImportance 4/5
  Remember the main estimates of the 2022 census and India's share of the world's tigers. Understand the regional trends (which landscapes gained and which lost), the places where tigers have disappeared and the unique populations to protect. Know the leading states and reserves. What can the census not count? The 2026 cycle is under way, so know its main figures if they are released before the exam.
• Status of Leopards in IndiaImportance 3/5
  Know the latest national leopard estimate and the report it comes from. Understand how leopard counts are linked to the tiger census. A new report may follow the 2026 tiger cycle, so follow it.

5.International Efforts Towards Tiger Conservation

• Global Tiger ForumImportance 3/5
  When and why was the Global Tiger Forum set up? Remember where it is headquartered and how often its General Assembly meets.
• India's Bilateral Cooperation on Tiger ConservationImportance 2/5
  What arrangements does India have with Nepal, Bangladesh, China and Russia for tiger conservation? Know the form each one takes, the CITES decision on breeding tigers for trade, and the planned move of tigers from India to Cambodia.
• Global Tiger InitiativeImportance 2/5
  When did the Global Tiger Initiative begin, and who were its founding partners? Know which countries lead it, and how and why its scope widened in 2013.
• St. Petersburg Declaration and the TX2 GoalImportance 4/5
  What did the 2010 St. Petersburg Declaration decide, and which programme carries it out? Remember the TX2 goal and its deadline, and when India reached the target. Understand where tiger recovery has worked and where it has failed.
• Conservation Assured Tiger StandardsImportance 3/5
  What is CA|TS, and how is it used? Remember when it began, which organisation supports it and how it links to the TX2 goal. The number of accredited Indian reserves keeps changing, so know the current figure.
• TX2 Award and Tiger Conservation Excellence AwardImportance 2/5
  Distinguish what each award recognises: a rise in tiger numbers, or excellence in set themes. Remember the Indian sites that have won each award.
• International Big Cat AllianceImportance 4/5
  Which seven big cats does IBCA cover, and which of them occur in India? Know when it was launched, how it became a treaty-based body, where it is headquartered and which body is its apex. What financial support has India given? The first IBCA Summit in New Delhi, planned for June 2026, was postponed, so follow its new date.

6.Species Conservation Programmes

• Project Snow Leopard and Its LandscapesImportance 4/5
  When was Project Snow Leopard launched, and what is its aim? Remember the three landscapes it covers and the states they span. Know what CMS and CITES did for the snow leopard in 2003.
• High-Altitude Ecosystem and Its SpeciesImportance 2/5
  Why are India's high-altitude ecosystems worth conserving? Know the main mammals and birds that depend on them, such as the red panda, chiru and black-necked crane.
• Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program and the Bishkek DeclarationImportance 3/5
  What is this programme, and when was it set up? Understand the aim of the Bishkek Declaration and what "Secure 20 by 2020" means.
• SECURE Himalaya ProjectImportance 3/5
  Which organisations run and fund the SECURE Himalaya project, and when did it start? Remember the states and landscapes it covers. Understand its aims: livelihoods, enforcement and landscape-based conservation for snow leopards.
• Snow Leopard Population Assessment in IndiaImportance 3/5
  Which institute coordinated the assessment, and how does it link to the global snow leopard assessment? Remember the national estimate released in 2024 and the region with the most snow leopards.
• Project HangulImportance 3/5
  Which deer is the hangul, and where does it live? Remember its stronghold, its former status as a state animal and the threats behind its decline. Understand how its numbers have changed since the project began. Know the latest census figure and its year, and its current IUCN status.
• Project Cheetah: Translocations and SitesImportance 4/5
  When was the cheetah declared extinct in India, and when did cheetahs return? Remember where the first batch came from and where it was released, and which site was chosen next. Understand why the cheetah is treated as a flagship for open grasslands. The count and later batches keep changing, so follow the latest updates.
• Choice of Kuno National Park and ConcernsImportance 3/5
  Which institutes assessed the site? You should be able to explain why Kuno was chosen, and what concern its leopard population raises.
• Fenced and Unfenced Protected AreasImportance 2/5
  What is fortress conservation, and how does it differ from India's unfenced protected areas with buffer zones? Understand why social scientists favour one approach over the other.
• Project Lion and the Lion Population EstimateImportance 4/5
  On which project is Project Lion modelled, when was it launched and where does it work? Know its aims and the gene pool centres. Remember the latest lion estimate. Is the Asiatic lion found naturally anywhere outside India?
• Threats to the Single Gir Lion PopulationImportance 3/5
  Why is one isolated population so vulnerable? You should be able to explain disease and epidemic risk (including CDV), deaths from accidents, conflict outside protected areas and low genetic diversity. How do these challenges differ from those of the tiger?
• Second Home for Asiatic LionsImportance 3/5UPSC 2017
  What did the Supreme Court direct in 2013? Remember the candidate sites for a second population. Understand why Gujarat has resisted, and why Kuno has not received lions.
• Asian Elephants in India and Their Ecological RoleImportance 3/5
  What share of the world's Asian elephants lives in India, and what status was given to the elephant in 2010? Do elephants face a threat of extinction or a gradual decline, and why? You should be able to explain their roles as a keystone and an umbrella species.
• Elephant Corridors: Threats and MitigationImportance 4/5
  What is an elephant corridor? Know the Right of Passage study and the 2023 Project Elephant report on India's corridors, and the regions where most corridors lie. You should be able to explain the threats (mining, linear infrastructure, human-elephant conflict) and the protective measures, such as declaring them Ecologically Sensitive Areas or conservation reserves. The corridor count and the regional ranking differ between reports, so know the latest official one.
• Project Elephant and the DNA-Based Elephant EstimationImportance 4/5
  When did Project Elephant begin, what kind of scheme is it, and what changed in 2023? Know the role of the Wildlife Institute of India. How was the latest national elephant estimate made, and why can it not be compared directly with earlier counts?
• Other Elephant Conservation InitiativesImportance 2/5
  Learn Haathi Mere Saathi, Project RE-HAB, the Asian Elephant Alliance and the IUCN Asian Elephant Specialist Group. Remember who runs each one and what it does. Know which countries make up the E-8.
• Threats to the Rhino and Conservation MeasuresImportance 3/5
  Why are rhinos poached, and what other threats do they face? Remember the 2019 New Delhi Declaration and which countries signed it, the National Rhino Conservation Strategy and the DNA profiling project.
• Indian Rhino Vision 2020 and Its EvaluationImportance 3/5
  Remember when Indian Rhino Vision 2020 began, its partners, its target and its main method. Understand where it succeeded and where it fell short, and what way forward is suggested.
• Conservation of the Ganges River DolphinImportance 4/5UPSC 2014
  Remember the legal and national status of the Ganges river dolphin, the sanctuary created for it and the day on which Dolphin Day is observed. Understand Project Dolphin and the earlier action plan. What did India's first riverine dolphin estimation find?
• Indian Crocodile Conservation Project and the Madras Crocodile BankImportance 3/5
  What are the objectives and methods of the project, including rear-and-release and captive breeding? Which UN bodies assisted it? What is the Madras Crocodile Bank, and which Indian crocodilians does it hold?
• Sea Turtle Conservation ProjectImportance 3/5
  Which turtle is the project mainly about? Remember when it began, its partners and implementing agency, and the state given special emphasis. Understand how satellite telemetry and Turtle Exclusion Devices help.
• Vulture Species of India and the Diclofenac CrisisImportance 4/5UPSC 2012
  How did diclofenac cause India's vulture crisis, and how does it harm vultures? Remember how many vulture species India has, which Gyps species were worst hit and how large the decline was. Why did the Himalayan griffon and the Eurasian griffon decline less?
• Ecological Consequences of Vulture DeclineImportance 2/5
  How did the loss of vultures affect public health? You should be able to explain the effects on dogs and rats, and on diseases such as rabies and anthrax.
• Drug Bans, Breeding Programme and Vulture Safe ZonesImportance 4/5
  Which drugs are banned for veterinary use to protect vultures, and which drug is the safe alternative? Remember the year of the diclofenac ban. Know the breeding programme and vulture restaurants, and what a Vulture Safe Zone is and how a zone is declared safe.
• Vulture Action Plans and the Pan-India Vulture AssessmentImportance 3/5
  Remember the main objectives of the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020–2025, and how it differs from the 2006 plan. Also follow whether a successor plan has been issued. Learn what the 2025 Pan-India vulture assessment found: the species covered, the loss of nesting sites, and the states that hold most nests.

7.National Wildlife Schemes, Plans and Bodies

• Integrated Development of Wildlife HabitatsImportance 3/5
  What type of scheme is IDWH, and what does it fund? Remember its three components.
• IDWH Species Recovery Programme (22 Species)Importance 3/5
  Which species does this programme cover? Learn the groups (mammals, marine mammals, birds, reptiles and others) and be able to recognise listed species, such as the hangul, Malabar civet, dugong, Great Indian Bustard, Jerdon's courser and northern river terrapin. The list is revised from time to time, so know its latest additions.
• Animal Welfare Board of India and CCSEAImportance 4/5UPSC 2009, 2014
  Under which Act was the AWBI set up, and is it linked to the Environment (Protection) Act? Remember what kind of body it is, which ministry it works under and who helped to found it. Know the 2014 and 2023 Jallikattu rulings and the work of the CCSEA.
• National Wildlife Action Plan 2017–2031 and the Landscape ApproachImportance 4/5
  Remember the periods of the three National Wildlife Action Plans and the components of the third. What is the landscape approach, and how does it differ from site-based conservation? Understand why the plan looks to CSR funds.
• National Action Plan for Migratory Birds and the Central Asian FlywayImportance 3/5
  What does the national plan for migratory birds aim to do, and for which period? What is a flyway? Understand the extent of the Central Asian Flyway and why India's stopover sites matter. Know whether a newer plan has replaced it.
• Green Good Deeds and the National Green CorpsImportance 2/5
  Under which central scheme does the Green Good Deeds initiative run, and how do the National Green Corps and its Eco Clubs fit into the Environment Education Programme? The scheme has been revamped, so know its current name. Learn what the initiative asks citizens to do.

1. 1.

   With reference to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), consider the following statements:
   1. It is legally binding on the Parties and takes the place of their national laws.
   2. Its Secretariat is part of UNEP and is headquartered in Geneva.
   3. It entered into force in 1975.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 and 2 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
2. 2.

   Consider the following statements about CITES:
   1. Appendix I covers species threatened with extinction, and trade in them is permitted only in exceptional circumstances such as captive breeding.
   2. Appendix II covers only those species that are threatened with extinction.
   3. Appendix III covers species protected in at least one country that has asked other Parties for help in controlling the trade.
   4. Proposals to amend Appendices I and II are decided at the Conference of the Parties, which meets every two to three years.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. COnly three
   4. DAll four
3. 3.

   Which one of the following arranges IUCN Red List categories in decreasing order of extinction risk?

   1. AEndangered, Critically Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern
   2. BCritically Endangered, Endangered, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Least Concern
   3. CCritically Endangered, Vulnerable, Endangered, Near Threatened, Least Concern
   4. DCritically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern
4. 4.

   With reference to the IUCN Red List and the Red Data Book, consider the following statements:
   1. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species was founded in 1964.
   2. In the Red List, the term 'threatened' refers to Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable species.
   3. In the Red Data Book, the green pages list the critically endangered species.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 and 2 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
5. 5.

   Consider the following statements:
   Statement-I: Project Tiger was launched in 1973 in Jim Corbett National Park to protect tigers from extinction.
   Statement-II: The first nationwide tiger census, conducted in 1972, estimated the tiger population at little more than 1,800, an alarming decline.
   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

   1. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
   2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
   3. CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
   4. DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
6. 6.

   Consider the following pairs:

   Body	Description
   1. MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants)	Established by a CITES Resolution
   2. TRAFFIC	A bureau of the UN Environment Programme
   3. International Whaling Commission	A non-UN body set up under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling

   Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

   1. A1 and 2 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
7. 7.

   Consider the following statements about the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS):
   1. It is also known as the Bonn Convention.
   2. Its Appendix I lists species that would significantly benefit from international cooperation.
   3. Its Conference of the Parties is the supreme decision-making body and convenes at least every three years.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. CAll three
   4. DNone
8. 8.

   With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), consider the following statements:
   1. It is an organ of the United Nations.
   2. It is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland.
   3. The Invasive Species Specialist Group, which manages the Global Invasive Species Database, functions under the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 and 3 only
   2. B1, 2 and 3
   3. C1 and 2 only
   4. D2 and 3 only
9. 9.

   Consider the following statements about BirdLife International:
   1. It is the official Red List authority for birds for the IUCN.
   2. The concept of biodiversity hotspots originated from it.
   3. The Bombay Natural History Society is its partner from India.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. CAll three
   4. DNone
10. 10.

    With reference to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), consider the following statements:
    1. It is a statutory body created by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006.
    2. The boundaries of a tiger reserve can be altered only on the recommendation of the NTCA and with the approval of the National Board for Wildlife.
    3. A State Government can de-notify a tiger reserve in public interest without the approval of the NTCA.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A2 and 3 only
    2. B1 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
11. 11.

    Consider the following statements about core and buffer areas of tiger reserves in India:
    1. A core area has the legal status of a national park or wildlife sanctuary.
    2. Core areas are notified by the State Government in consultation with an Expert Committee.
    3. Collection of minor forest produce and grazing are permitted in the core area.
    4. Collection of minor forest produce by tribals is not permitted in the buffer area.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. COnly three
    4. DAll four
12. 12.

    In the All India Tiger Estimation 2022 (the fifth cycle), which State was reported to have the largest tiger population?

    1. AKarnataka
    2. BUttarakhand
    3. CMadhya Pradesh
    4. DMaharashtra
13. 13.

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: The 2010 St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation set the TX2 goal of doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022.
    Statement-II: India achieved the goal of doubling its tiger numbers only in 2022, the target year.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
    2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
    3. CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
    4. DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
14. 14.

    The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is an India-led initiative covering seven big cat species. Which one of the following species covered by it is NOT native to India?

    1. AJaguar
    2. BSnow leopard
    3. CLion
    4. DLeopard
15. 15.

    Match List I with List II:

    List I (Programme)	List II (Year of launch)
    A. Project Snow Leopard	1. 1973
    B. Project Lion	2. 1992
    C. Project Tiger	3. 2009
    D. Project Elephant	4. 2020

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    1. AA-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
    2. BA-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
    3. CA-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
    4. DA-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
16. 16.

    With reference to the reintroduction of cheetahs in India, consider the following statements:
    1. The cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952.
    2. The first batch of cheetahs brought in 2022 was flown from South Africa.
    3. Kuno was chosen as the preferred habitat after an assessment by the Wildlife Institute of India and the Wildlife Trust of India.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 and 3 only
    2. B1 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
17. 17.

    Which one of the following veterinary drugs has been tested and promoted as a vulture-safe alternative to diclofenac?

    1. AKetoprofen
    2. BAceclofenac
    3. CFlunixin
    4. DMeloxicam
18. 18.

    Consider the following statements about vultures in India:
    1. Diclofenac causes renal failure in vultures.
    2. The Indian Vulture's population fell by 99.7 per cent, the steepest decline among the affected Gyps species.
    3. Nine species of vulture are found in India.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. CAll three
    4. DNone
19. 19.

    With reference to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), consider the following statements:
    1. It was established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
    2. In AWBI vs A. Nagaraja (2014), the Supreme Court upheld jallikattu as a lawful practice.
    3. Rukmini Devi Arundale was instrumental in setting up the Board.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C3 only
    4. D1 and 3 only
20. 20.

    Consider the following pairs:

    Initiative	Description
    1. Haathi Mere Saathi	Campaign launched at the Elephant-8 Ministerial meeting in Delhi in 2011 by the MoEF with the Wildlife Trust of India
    2. Project RE-HAB	Uses bee boxes as fences to prevent elephant-human conflict without harming the animals
    3. Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary	Located in Odisha

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3

1. 1.

   UPSC 2014

   Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?
   1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers
   2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers
   3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally
   4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.

   1. A1 and 2 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1, 3 and 4 only
   4. D1, 2, 3 and 4
2. 2.

   UPSC 2010

   Consider the following statements:
   1. The Taxus tree naturally found in the Himalayas.
   2. The Taxus tree is listed in the Red Data Book.
   3. A drug called “taxol” is obtained from Taxus tree is effective against Parkinson’s disease.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 only
   2. B1 and 2 only
   3. C2 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
3. 3.

   UPSC 2020

   Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat” ?

   1. ACorbett
   2. BRanthambore
   3. CNagarjunsagar-Srisailam
   4. DSunderbans
4. 4.

   UPSC 2017

   Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC) :
   1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
   2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.
   Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

   1. A1 only
   2. B2 only
   3. CBoth 1 and 2
   4. DNeither 1 nor 2
5. 5.

   UPSC 2017

   The term 'M-STrIPES' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

   1. ACaptive breeding of Wild Fauna
   2. BMaintenance of Tiger Reserves
   3. CIndigenous Satellite Navigation System
   4. DSecurity of National Highways
6. 6.

   UPSC 2017

   Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites ?

   1. ACorbett National Park
   2. BKuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
   3. CMudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
   4. DSariska National Park
7. 7.

   UPSC 2015

   With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct?
   1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.
   2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
   3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.

   1. A1 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
8. 8.

   UPSC 2015

   With reference to an organization known as 'BirdLife International', which of the following statements is/are correct?
   1. It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organizations.
   2. The concept of 'biodiversity hotspots' originated from this organization.
   3. It identifies the sites known/referred to as 'Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas'.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.

   1. A1 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
9. 9.

   UPSC 2014

   With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements :
   1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
   2. It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and public awareness.
   3. It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 and 3 only
   2. B2 only
   3. C2 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
10. 10.

    UPSC 2014

    Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’ :
    1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO.
    2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year.
    3. It is a movement to raise the awareness about the climate change and the need to save the planet.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 and 3 only
    2. B2 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
11. 11.

    UPSC 2012

    Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?

    1. AGreat Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
    2. BKashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
    3. CSnow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
    4. DLion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal
12. 12.

    UPSC 2012

    Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to

    1. Athe destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species
    2. Ba drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle
    3. Cscarcity of food available to them
    4. Da widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them
13. 13.

    UPSC 2011

    The "Red Data Books" published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) contain lists of
    1. Endemic plant and animal species present in the biodiversity hotspots.
    2. Threatened plant and animal species.
    3. Protected sites for conservation of nature and natural resources in various countries.
    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    1. A1 and 3
    2. B2 only
    3. C2 and 3
    4. D3 only
14. 14.

    UPSC 2009

    Where is the headquarters of Animal Welfare Board of India located ?

    1. AAhmedabad
    2. BChennai
    3. CHyderabad
    4. DKolkata
15. 15.

    UPSC 2014

    Consider the following statements :
    1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
    2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
    3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3