Indian Flora and Fauna

Black rhinos are primarily hunted for their horns, which are highly valued in some cultures for ornamental and supposed medicinal purposes. They are not typically hunted for their eyes, skin, or meat.

Kaziranga National Park in Assam was established in 1905 specifically to protect the one-horned rhinoceros, which was threatened by widespread hunting. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to two-thirds of the world's rhino population. While it also contains tigers, elephants, and birds, its primary founding purpose was rhinoceros conservation.

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is located in Gujarat state, approximately 60 km from Ahmedabad. It is the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat and home to numerous migratory bird species during winter months, including flamingos, pelicans, and storks.

Kaziranga National Park is primarily known for rhinoceros conservation and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not a tiger reserve. Manas Sanctuary, Sariska Sanctuary, and Nandankanan Sanctuary are all officially designated tiger reserves under Project Tiger. Kaziranga does have tigers but its primary fame and recognition comes from the one-horned rhinoceros population.

The Bengal Tiger is the national animal of India, making option A correct. It was officially adopted as the national animal in 1973, replacing the lion. The tiger symbolizes India's rich wildlife heritage and is a keystone species, though it remains endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.

Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love and desire, is traditionally depicted riding a parrot. This is his standard vahana (vehicle) in Hindu iconography.

Goddess Lakshmi rides an owl (or sometimes considered her vehicle). The owl symbolizes wisdom and the ability to see in darkness, representing Lakshmi's capacity to bless devotees with wealth even in difficult times.

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, derives its name from 'Thiru-Anantha-Puram,' meaning 'City of Lord Anantha.' Anantha refers to the serpent deity Shesha-Naga on whom Lord Vishnu reclines. The name honors the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his reclining form on the eternal serpent. The eagle, peacock, and cow are sacred in Hinduism but not etymologically connected to this city's name.

Nallamala is not a Biosphere Reserve - it is a mountain range in Andhra Pradesh. Agasthyamala (Kerala/Tamil Nadu), Panchamarhi (Madhya Pradesh), and Nilgiri (Karnataka/Kerala/Tamil Nadu) are all recognized Biosphere Reserves under India's UNESCO program. The Nallamala range is part of the Eastern Ghats but lacks this designation.

The reverse side of the Rs.10 note features images of Indian wildlife - specifically rhinoceros, elephant, and tiger. This showcases India's rich biodiversity and wildlife heritage on its currency.

The reverse side of the Rs.20 note features palm trees. This imagery represents India's tropical flora and natural heritage. Indian currency notes feature various themes including agriculture, wildlife, and natural landmarks.

The new series Rs.100 banknote depicts the Himalaya Mountains on the reverse side, representing India's natural heritage and geographical diversity. This scenic design highlights one of India's most iconic mountain ranges. Other options depict different themes found on various currency denominations.

The new Rs.1000 banknote (issued in 2015, before demonetization) featured themes related to India's economic development on its reverse side. The design emphasized the country's scientific and technological advancement, representing economic progress. The note was demonetized in November 2016.

All four sites - Valley of Flowers National Park, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kalka-Shimla Railway - are UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. They represent different categories: natural sites (Valley of Flowers, Manas), cultural sites (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus), and mixed heritage sites (Kalka-Shimla Railway).

The Asiatic Wild Ass is found only in the Rann of Kachchh in Gujarat. This unique habitat is the last remaining refuge of this endangered species, not in Sundarbans, Ladakh, or the Coromandel coast.