Biodiversity: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)
21 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on biodiversity appear here, from 2003 to 2024. UPSC asks about conservation methods, the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports on the Western Ghats, the Biological Diversity Act, the IUCN Red Data Books, and animal behaviour such as the honey bee’s waggle dance. The explanations define the term or body.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
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UPSC 2003Environment and Ecology · Biodiversity
Q21. Consider the following animals of India: 1. Crocodile 2. Elephant Which of these is/are endangered species?
Explanation
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global organization that assesses the conservation status of species. IUCN maintains a Red List to categorize species based on their risk of extinction. Endangered species are those at high risk, requiring urgent conservation efforts to prevent extinction and protect biodiversity. Some of the common species which are under ‘Endangered’ category of the Red Book, are listed as under:
1. Indian Elephant 2. Bengal Tiger
3. Asiatic Lion 4. Indian Rhino
5. Ganges Dolphin 6. Crocodile The Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a species of crocodile found in India, is critically endangered, with fewer than 250 individuals remaining in the wild. The Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus pal-ustris) is classified as Vulnerable. Habitat loss, poaching, and declining prey populations have contributed to their endangered status. The Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching are significant threats to their survival. India is home to approximately 60% of the global Asian elephant population. Note: Presently, Mugger is under Vulnerable category and Sal-water crocodiles are under Least Concern but Ghariyal is listed as Critically Endangered.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
21
2003
(c) Both 1 and 2
What UPSC has tested in Biodiversity
The Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committee reports relate to the protection of the Western Ghats.
A botanical garden is a site for ex-situ conservation, not in-situ conservation.
Honey bees perform the waggle dance to tell kin where food is.
Red Data Books of the IUCN contain lists of endangered species.
Under the Biological Diversity Act, Biodiversity Management Committees are set up at the local level.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Biodiversity?
This page covers 21 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Biodiversity (Environment and Ecology), asked from 2003 to 2024. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
What were the Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committees about?
Both reported on protecting the ecologically fragile Western Ghats. The Gadgil committee proposed declaring the whole range ecologically sensitive in zones, while the Kasturirangan committee suggested restricting protection to a smaller share of the Ghats.
Is a botanical garden in-situ or ex-situ conservation?
Ex-situ. In-situ conservation protects species in their natural habitats, such as national parks and biosphere reserves, while botanical gardens, zoos and seed banks conserve species outside their natural habitat.
What are Biodiversity Management Committees?
Local bodies set up by local authorities under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and to prepare People’s Biodiversity Registers recording local biological resources and knowledge.
