NEOCODE

Tribal & Wildlife Conflicts MCQs

1. Tribal & Wildlife Conflicts

1. The Forest Rights Act recognizes rights of:

Correct Answer: a) Tribal communities

Explanation:
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources on which these communities were dependent for livelihood, habitation and other socio-cultural needs.

2. Human-wildlife conflicts increase due to:

Correct Answer: a) Habitat loss

Explanation:
Human-wildlife conflicts have increased primarily due to habitat fragmentation and loss caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development. As natural habitats shrink, animals venture into human settlements in search of food and space, leading to conflicts.

3. Project Elephant started in:

Correct Answer: b) 1992

Explanation:
Project Elephant was launched in 1992 by the Government of India to provide financial and technical support for wildlife management, habitat protection, and addressing human-elephant conflicts. India has about 27,000 elephants (2017 census), the largest population in Asia.

4. The term "Adivasi" refers to:

Correct Answer: a) Indigenous tribes

Explanation:
"Adivasi" means original inhabitants in Sanskrit, referring to India's tribal populations who are considered the country's earliest settlers. India has 705 Scheduled Tribes (2011 census) constituting 8.6% of the population, with highest concentrations in central and northeast India.

5. Which animal causes maximum crop damage in India?

Correct Answer: b) Elephant

Explanation:
Elephants cause the most extensive crop damage due to their large size, herd behavior, and ability to destroy entire fields in one raid. An adult elephant consumes 150-200 kg of vegetation daily. States like West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam report maximum elephant-related conflicts.

6. The Chipko Movement was for:

Correct Answer: b) Forest conservation

Explanation:
The Chipko movement (1970s) in Uttarakhand involved villagers, especially women, hugging trees to prevent logging. Led by environmentalists like Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunderlal Bahuguna, it successfully stopped deforestation in many areas and influenced national forest policies.

7. PESA Act empowers:

Correct Answer: b) Tribal self-governance

Explanation:
The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) gives tribal communities in scheduled areas the right to self-govern through traditional gram sabhas. It recognizes their customary rights over natural resources and requires consultation for land acquisition.

8. Man-Animal conflict is mitigated by:

Correct Answer: b) Corridors and early warning

Explanation:
Effective mitigation strategies include: (1) Creating wildlife corridors between fragmented habitats, (2) Early warning systems using SMS alerts and watchtowers, (3) Solar-powered fences, (4) Community-based conservation programs, and (5) Compensation schemes for damage.

9. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act is from:

Correct Answer: b) 2006

Explanation:
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) was a landmark legislation recognizing forest rights of tribal communities. As of 2022, over 2.1 million titles have been distributed under FRA, though implementation challenges remain.

10. Sacred groves are conserved by:

Correct Answer: b) Local communities

Explanation:
Sacred groves are forest fragments protected by local communities based on religious beliefs. India has about 100,000-150,000 sacred groves preserving biodiversity. Examples include Khasi groves in Meghalaya and Kovilkadu in Tamil Nadu. These community conservation models often outperform government-protected areas.