Conservation Organizations & India's Biodiversity MCQs

1. IUCN is also called as:

a) World Wide Conservation Union b) Man and Biosphere Programme c) World Conservation Union d) World Conservation Consortium

Correct Answer: c) World Conservation Union

Explanation:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was formerly known as the World Conservation Union (2003-2008). Founded in 1948, it's the global authority on species conservation status through its Red List and brings together governments and civil societies.

2. Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is a central government organization located in:

a) Delhi b) Calcutta c) Maharashtra d) Tamil Nadu

Correct Answer: b) Calcutta

Explanation:
Established in 1916, ZSI is headquartered in Kolkata (Calcutta). It's the premier taxonomic research organization studying India's rich fauna, with over 16 regional centers. ZSI has documented more than 100,000 animal species from India.

3. Which of the following agency published the Red Data Book?

a) IUCN b) NEERI c) NWAP d) CITES

Correct Answer: a) IUCN

Explanation:
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Red Data Book) is the world's most comprehensive inventory of global conservation status. Since 1964, it has assessed over 150,000 species using rigorous criteria, with updates published annually.

4. WWF stands for:

a) World Wide Fund b) World Wildlife Fund for Nature c) Wildlife Wide Fund for Nature and Natural Resources d) World Wild Fund

Correct Answer: b) World Wildlife Fund for Nature

Explanation:
Founded in 1961 as World Wildlife Fund, it became World Wide Fund for Nature in 1986 (retaining WWF initials). With operations in over 100 countries, it's the world's largest conservation organization, working on biodiversity, renewable energy, and sustainability.

5. WWF – Biological includes:

a) Creating and maintaining systems of effective and sustainable protected areas b) Promoting practices of sustainable development and conserving certain species of special concern c) Promoting environmental education to enable people to manage natural resources sustainably d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
WWF's conservation approach integrates: (1) Protected area management (like ecoregion conservation), (2) Flagship species protection (tigers, pandas), and (3) Community engagement through education and sustainable livelihood programs.

6. The role of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) includes:

a) Encouraging all countries to implement conservation codes b) Providing policy guidelines to conserve biodiversity c) Offering principles to conserve, manage, and sustainably use living resources d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
As a UN agency, FAO works on agriculture, forestry and fisheries management. Key biodiversity initiatives include: (1) International Plant Protection Convention, (2) Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, and (3) Commission on Genetic Resources.

7. How many biogeographical zones are in India?

a) 10 b) 20 c) 25 d) 35

Correct Answer: a) 10

Explanation:
India's 10 biogeographic zones are: (1) Trans-Himalaya, (2) Himalayas, (3) Desert, (4) Semi-arid, (5) Western Ghats, (6) Deccan Peninsula, (7) Gangetic Plain, (8) Northeast, (9) Islands, and (10) Coasts. This classification helps in conservation planning.

8. In India, ____% of flowering plants are endemic.

a) 15% b) 30% c) 33% d) 35%

Correct Answer: c) 33%

Explanation:
Of India's ~18,000 flowering plant species, about 6,000 (33%) are endemic, found nowhere else. Hotspots like Western Ghats and Northeast have particularly high endemism. Many are medicinal plants (e.g., 4,000 species used in traditional medicine systems).

9. India occupies the ____ position among plant-rich nations.

a) 5th b) 7th c) 9th d) 10th

Correct Answer: d) 10th

Explanation:
India ranks 10th in plant diversity globally, hosting about 7-8% of all recorded species despite having only 2.4% of world's land area. The top 5 are Brazil, Colombia, China, Mexico, and Indonesia. India is also among 17 megadiverse countries.

10. Which country occupies the first position in plant-rich nations?

a) India b) South Africa c) Mexico d) Indonesia

Correct Answer: d) Indonesia

Explanation:
Brazil actually leads with ~55,000 plant species (Kew's State of the World's Plants 2017), followed by Colombia, China, Indonesia, and Mexico. Indonesia's rainforests host incredible diversity including 40,000 flowering plants (15% endemic).

11. How many Biosphere Reserves are in India?

a) 7 b) 9 c) 11 d) 13

Correct Answer: c) 11

Explanation:
India has 18 Biosphere Reserves (as of 2023), with 11 recognized by UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme: Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Nokrek, Pachmarhi, Simlipal, Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Great Nicobar, Agasthyamala, and Khangchendzonga.

12. How many National Parks are in India?

a) 50 b) 60 c) 80 d) 90

Correct Answer: d) 90

Explanation:
As of 2023, India has 106 National Parks covering 44,402.95 km² (1.35% of geographical area). The first was Hailey National Park (1936), now Jim Corbett NP. Recent additions include Dehing Patkai (Assam) and Raimona (Assam) in 2021.

13. How many Botanical Gardens are in India?

a) 50 b) 80 c) 120 d) 150

Correct Answer: c) 120

Explanation:
India has about 120 major botanical gardens, with the Indian Botanical Garden (Kolkata, 1787) being Asia's oldest. These conserve over 15,000 plant species ex-situ and serve as research centers for taxonomy, conservation, and climate change studies.

14. The most important reason for the decrease in biodiversity is:

a) Habitat pollution b) Habitat destruction c) Introduction of exotic species d) Over-exploitation

Correct Answer: b) Habitat destruction

Explanation:
Habitat loss (deforestation, urbanization, agriculture) accounts for ~80% of biodiversity loss globally. In India, forest cover has reduced from ~80% (1900) to 21.71% (2021). The Western Ghats have lost 35% natural forests since 1920, threatening endemic species.

15. Major causes of extinction of different species include:

a) Habitat loss and over-hunting b) Climate change and pollution c) Deforestation d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
The "Evil Quartet" of biodiversity loss includes: (1) Habitat destruction (main cause), (2) Overexploitation (e.g., poaching), (3) Invasive species (e.g., Lantana in India), and (4) Co-extinctions (linked species). Climate change is now a fifth major threat.

16. The rich biodiversity in India is under threat due to:

a) Habitat destruction b) Modern agricultural practices c) Natural causes d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
India faces multiple biodiversity threats: (1) 1.5 million hectares forest lost (1990-2020), (2) Monoculture farming replacing traditional varieties, (3) Natural disasters (e.g., Uttarakhand floods), and (4) Developmental projects fragmenting habitats.

17. Tsunami warning instruments are to be fixed in the:

a) Bay of Bengal b) Arabian Sea c) Both A and B d) None of the above

Correct Answer: c) Both A and B

Explanation:
India's Tsunami Early Warning System (established after 2004) has 7 deep-ocean buoys - 4 in Bay of Bengal (more seismically active) and 3 in Arabian Sea. The system can detect earthquakes and issue warnings within 10-20 minutes of occurrence.

18. The Model Code for Forest Harvesting Practice was published in the year:

a) 1776 b) 1980 c) 1990 d) 1996

Correct Answer: d) 1996

Explanation:
Published by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, this code promotes sustainable forest management by minimizing ecological damage during timber extraction. It includes guidelines on road construction, logging techniques, and protecting soil/water resources.

19. Wildlife is a gift of nature to be:

a) Conserved b) Nurtured c) Protected d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
India's wildlife is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) which establishes schedules of protected species. Conservation approaches include in-situ (protected areas) and ex-situ (zoos, breeding programs) methods, along with community participation initiatives.

Conservation Organizations & India's Biodiversity MCQs

1. Organizations & Agencies

2. India's Biodiversity & Conservation

3. Threats to Biodiversity

4. Miscellaneous

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