Protected Areas for the Biodiversity Conservation: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Government of India is not obligated to protect and conserve all the wetlands within its territory. It is only obligated to conserve the wetlands that are recognised under the Ramsar convention as Ramsar sites.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, aim to conserve and manage wetlands in India and prevent their degradation. However, they were not based on the Ramsar Convention’s recommendations. Its objectives are wetland conservation, protection, and management to prevent further degradation of wetlands in India.

Statement 3 is correct: As per Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 a wetland includes natural or artificial areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water, with static or flowing water, fresh, brackish, or salt, and marine areas with a depth at low tide not exceeding six meters. It also covers inland waters such as lakes, reservoirs, tanks, backwaters, lagoons, creeks, estuaries, and man made wetlands, along with their drainage areas or catchment regions.

Explanation

National Parks are designated protected areas aimed at preserving the natural environment, ecosystems, and wildlife. India’s first national park, i.e Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936. As of 2023 India has 106 national parks, covering a total area of 44,402.95 km². Valley of Flowers National Park was established in 1982. Located in Chamoli, in the state of Uttarakhand, it is renowned for its meadows of indigenous alpine flowers and the variety of vegetation. The park is entirely inside the temperate alpine region. It is located close to Joshimath in the Garhwal area, tucked in the upper reaches of the Bhyundar Ganga river’s Pushpawati river valley. The Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, and blue sheep are among the rare and endangered species that call this area home. Himalayan monal pheasants and other high-altitude birds can also be seen in the park. The Valley of Flowers is one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. It lies within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and is part of a biodiversity hotspot in the Indian Himalayas. The park’s ecosystem is highly sensitive and provides a home to numerous endangered plant species. The valley plays a significant role in conserving alpine flora and provides a refuge for various Himalayan wildlife species.

Explanation

Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve was established in 2001. It is located near the southernmost tip of the Western Ghats. It includes the following wildlife sanctuaries: Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, and Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. It comprises the tropical wet evergreen forests of India, the moist deciduous forests of the South Western Ghats, the montane rain forests of the South Western Ghats, and the Shola forests. The Kanikaran tribe, one of the oldest extant ancient tribes in the world, is also found in Agasthyamalai. In 2016, it was added to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO.