UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I
Question 97: Environment and Ecology
Consider the following :
- 1.Black-necked crane
- 2.Cheetah
- 3.Flying squirrel
- 4.Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The black-necked crane breeds in Ladakh, the snow leopard lives in the Himalayas, and flying squirrels are found in Indian forests. The cheetah became extinct in India in the 1950s; the animals now at Kuno National Park were brought from Africa from 2022, so they are not naturally found here.
- 1. The black-necked crane breeds in Ladakh.
- 2. The cheetah is extinct in India as a natural species; those now in India were introduced.
- 3. Flying squirrels occur in Indian forests.
- 4. The snow leopard lives in the Himalayas.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: The cheetah is extinct in India as a natural species; those now in India were introduced.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 3 or 4.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: it includes the cheetah and leaves out the snow leopard.
- (b) Correct: black-necked crane, flying squirrel and snow leopard are natural to India.
- (c) Wrong: it includes the cheetah and leaves out the crane and flying squirrel.
- (d) Wrong: it includes the cheetah, which is not naturally found in India.
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.