2012 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I
Question 100: Environment and Ecology
Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to
athe destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species
ba drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle
cscarcity of food available to them
da widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
India's vultures collapsed in the 1990s because of diclofenac, a veterinary anti-inflammatory drug given to cattle. Vultures feeding on the carcasses suffered kidney failure and died. The drug was banned for veterinary use in 2006. It was not nesting-site loss, food scarcity or a widespread disease.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: invasive species destroying nesting sites did not cause the decline.
- (b) Correct: diclofenac, used to treat cattle, poisoned vultures.
- (c) Wrong: carcasses were available; food was not scarce.
- (d) Wrong: a disease was not the cause; the drug was.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.