UPSC Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I
Question 35: Environment and Ecology
According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law ?
- 1.Gharial
- 2.Indian wild ass
- 3.Wild buffalo
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 gives its highest protection to animals listed in Schedule I, which cannot be hunted except under narrow legal provisions, such as danger to human life or disease that cannot be cured. The gharial, the Indian wild ass and the wild buffalo are all in Schedule I. So all three cannot be hunted by any person except as the law allows. Remember: Schedule I carries the strictest protection and the heaviest penalties.
- 1. The gharial is a Schedule I species.
- 2. The Indian wild ass is a Schedule I species.
- 3. The wild buffalo is a Schedule I species.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: The gharial is a Schedule I species.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: The Indian wild ass is a Schedule I species.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.
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) Incomplete: the wild ass and wild buffalo are also protected.
- (b) Incomplete: the gharial is also protected.
- (c) Incomplete: the Indian wild ass is also protected.
- (d) Right: all three are in Schedule I and cannot be hunted.
Worth knowing: The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 reorganised the schedules (six reduced to four); these species remain in Schedule I, so the answer stands.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.