2012 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I

Question 90: Environment and Ecology

In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass?

aBiosphere Reserves
bNational Parks
cWetlands declared under Ramsar Convention
dWildlife Sanctuaries

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

National Parks have the strictest protection: human activities such as grazing, hunting and collecting forest produce, including biomass, are prohibited, and rights are not allowed. In wildlife sanctuaries, in the buffer zones of biosphere reserves and in Ramsar wetlands managed for wise use, regulated local use, including biomass collection, can be permitted.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: biosphere reserves allow regulated local use in their buffer zones.
  • (b) Correct: national parks prohibit local people from collecting biomass.
  • (c) Wrong: Ramsar sites are managed for wise use, which allows regulated local use.
  • (d) Wrong: sanctuaries allow regulated collection of biomass.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious questionNext question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.