UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I
Question 87: Environment and Ecology
Consider the following fauna of India :
- 1.Gharial
- 2.Leatherback turtle
- 3.Swamp deer
Which of the above is/are endangered?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
UPSC treats all three as threatened. The gharial, a fish-eating crocodilian of north Indian rivers, is Critically Endangered; the leatherback turtle, the largest sea turtle, which nests on the Andaman and Nicobar islands, is also at risk; and the swamp deer or barasingha, confined to a few grasslands, is listed as threatened. All three are on Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
- 1. Gharial is Critically Endangered.
- 2. Leatherback turtle is a threatened sea turtle.
- 3. Swamp deer is a threatened, protected deer of a few grasslands.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. The swamp deer is also threatened.
- (b) Wrong. The gharial and the leatherback turtle are also threatened.
- (c) Correct. All three are treated as threatened.
- (d) Wrong. All three are threatened.
Worth knowing: 'Endangered' is used loosely for 'threatened': the IUCN lists the swamp deer as Vulnerable, not Endangered, so the key is open to challenge.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.