2017 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I

Question 91: Environment and Ecology

In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply ?

aIt enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.
bIt no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is impossible to prevent its extinction.
cIt is endemic to a particular region of India.
dBoth (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 carries the highest level of protection under the Act, with the heaviest penalties for hunting or trading in the species. The tiger is on the same schedule. So a tortoise declared protected under Schedule I enjoys the same level of legal protection as the tiger. Listing in Schedule I does not mean the species is extinct in the wild, and it does not mean the species is endemic to one region. Remember: Schedule I = the strictest protection.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Right: Schedule I species, including the tiger, get the same top-level protection.
  • (b) Wrong: Schedule I does not mean extinct in the wild.
  • (c) Wrong: Schedule I does not imply endemism.
  • (d) Wrong: both (b) and (c) are incorrect.

Worth knowing: The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 reorganised the schedules (six reduced to four); Schedule I still carries the highest protection, so the answer stands.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.