UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies
Question 90: Environment and Ecology
Out of all the Biosphere Reserves in India, four have been recognized on the World Network by UNESCO. Which one of the following is not one of them?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
In 2008 four Indian biosphere reserves were on UNESCO's World Network: Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Sunderbans and Nanda Devi. The question lists Gulf of Mannar, Nanda Devi and Sunderbans and asks for the one not on the list, which is Kanchenjunga. Kanchenjunga (Khangchendzonga) in Sikkim was added to the World Network only in 2018.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Gulf of Mannar was on the list from 2001.
- (b) Kanchenjunga was not yet on the World Network in 2008.
- (c) Nanda Devi was added in 2004.
- (d) Sunderbans was on the list from 2001.
Worth knowing: Kanchenjunga was added to the UNESCO World Network in 2018, so the answer holds only for the time of the paper.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.