Environmental Studies · General Awareness

Indian Flora and Fauna

3,229 Questions

Indian flora and fauna questions cover national parks, endangered species, and wildlife protection laws. These topics are crucial for the environmental ecology sections of UPSC, state PSC, and banking exams. Practice these questions to master the biodiversity and conservation concepts required for government tests.

National parks in IndiaEndangered speciesState birds and animalsWildlife Protection ActHimalayan biodiversityForest ecosystems

Indian Flora and Fauna Questions

Multiple choice

What is the present state of Kashmir stag which has resulted in the restriction of the animal to Dachigam National Park?

Directions: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the question that follows.
Hangul or Kashmir stag is a rare species found only in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. It is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir. Its coat color is brown with spotted up to the hairs. They are found singly or in small groups of two to eighteen in dense riverside forests, high valleys, and mountains of the Kashmir valley and northern Chamba in Himachal Pradesh. It measures about one hundred and twenty to one hundred and twenty-five centimeters in height of the withers. The average horns of adults are one meter in length. Kashmir Stag is listed as seriously endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as the population is counted 160 mature individuals. These deer once numbered to about five thousand animals in the beginning of the twentieth century. Unfortunately, they were threatened, due to habitat destruction, over-grazing by domestic livestock, and poaching. The animal is battling for its survival as they are now confined to the Dachigam National Park located on foothills of Zabarwan range on the outskirts of Srinagar.

  1. Over-grazing

  2. Battling for its survival

  3. State of Jammu and Kashmir

  4. Abundant in number
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Correct as it is stated in the last lines of the passage "The animal is battling for its survival as they are now confined to the Dachigam National Park ..."

Multiple choice

From when did the number of Hangul started decreasing?

Directions: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the question that follows.
Hangul or Kashmir stag is a rare species found only in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. It is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir. Its coat color is brown with spotted up to the hairs. They are found singly or in small groups of two to eighteen in dense riverside forests, high valleys, and mountains of the Kashmir valley and northern Chamba in Himachal Pradesh. It measures about one hundred and twenty to one hundred and twenty-five centimeters in height of the withers. The average horns of adults are one meter in length. Kashmir Stag is listed as seriously endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as the population is counted 160 mature individuals. These deer once numbered to about five thousand animals in the beginning of the twentieth century. Unfortunately, they were threatened, due to habitat destruction, over-grazing by domestic livestock, and poaching. The animal is battling for its survival as they are now confined to the Dachigam National Park located on foothills of Zabarwan range on the outskirts of Srinagar.

  1. The beginning of 18th century

  2. The beginning of 19th century

  3. The beginning of 20th century

  4. The beginning of 21th century
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is stated and can be derived from the passage " Kashmir Stag is listed as seriously endangered ... population is counted 160 mature individuals. These deer once numbered to about five thousand animals in the beginning of the twentieth century."

Multiple choice

Why is the population of Kashmir stag enlisted as endangered?

Directions: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the question that follows.
Hangul or Kashmir stag is a rare species found only in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. It is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir. Its coat color is brown with spotted up to the hairs. They are found singly or in small groups of two to eighteen in dense riverside forests, high valleys, and mountains of the Kashmir valley and northern Chamba in Himachal Pradesh. It measures about one hundred and twenty to one hundred and twenty-five centimeters in height of the withers. The average horns of adults are one meter in length. Kashmir Stag is listed as seriously endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as the population is counted 160 mature individuals. These deer once numbered to about five thousand animals in the beginning of the twentieth century. Unfortunately, they were threatened, due to habitat destruction, over-grazing by domestic livestock, and poaching. The animal is battling for its survival as they are now confined to the Dachigam National Park located on foothills of Zabarwan range on the outskirts of Srinagar.

  1. Due to habitat destruction

  2. Due to overgrazing

  3. Because of less population

  4. Due to poaching
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This can be inferred from the passage by the statement "Kashmir Stag is listed as seriously endangered... as the population is counted 160 mature individuals. These deer once numbered to about five thousand animals in the beginning of the twentieth century."

Multiple choice

The working animals suffer from all of the following conditions, except

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage.

Animal Rahat is a unique program that aims to help some of the most neglected animals in the world – the bullocks, donkeys and other working animals in India. Animal Rahat was created to make a difference in India’s working animals. These gentle animals often suffer from dehydration, untreated sores, muscle strain and sometimes they are subjected to frequent beating. Animal Rahat was founded in 2003 to provide these animals with relief. This lifesaving program now offers services throughout three districts of Maharshstra, one of the largest states in India, and in the neighbouring town of Solapur. Their staff members provide free aid to bullocks who work in sugar mills, donkeys who are used in brick kilns, horses who pull carts and other working animals. Animal Rahat aims to alleviate the sufferings of these animals by giving rest to the lame and offering relief to the sick and injured. Animal Rahat’s guidance and support of these animals has already reduced practices such as leaving out animals in extreme heat or leaving them unprotected through rainy seasons.

  1. muscle strain

  2. dehydration

  3. beating

  4. under nutrition
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

These animals are mostly subjected to other three treatments. In the passage, it is stated, "These gentle animals often suffer from dehydration, untreated sores, muscle strain and sometimes they are subjected to frequent beatings". Hence, this answer is correct.

Multiple choice

'Animal Rahat' provides services in how many districts of Maharashtra?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage.

Animal Rahat is a unique program that aims to help some of the most neglected animals in the world – the bullocks, donkeys and other working animals in India. Animal Rahat was created to make a difference in India’s working animals. These gentle animals often suffer from dehydration, untreated sores, muscle strain and sometimes they are subjected to frequent beating. Animal Rahat was founded in 2003 to provide these animals with relief. This lifesaving program now offers services throughout three districts of Maharshstra, one of the largest states in India, and in the neighbouring town of Solapur. Their staff members provide free aid to bullocks who work in sugar mills, donkeys who are used in brick kilns, horses who pull carts and other working animals. Animal Rahat aims to alleviate the sufferings of these animals by giving rest to the lame and offering relief to the sick and injured. Animal Rahat’s guidance and support of these animals has already reduced practices such as leaving out animals in extreme heat or leaving them unprotected through rainy seasons.

  1. Four

  2. Five

  3. Three

  4. Six
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It is obvious from the paragraph. The line "This lifesaving program now offers services throughout three districts of Maharshstra" suggests the answer. Hence, this answer is correct.

Multiple choice

Which word in the paragraph means 'dedicated'?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage.

White Bengal tigers are also called 'the Indian tiger'. They are one of the only two species of cats which like water. At full running speed, they reach speed of upto 60 kilometers per hour. They do not possess great stamina. The average tiger animal sleeps between 16 to 18 hours. Bengal tiger is very patient, it watches its prey and waits till the right time to make its move. It has very strong jaws, it catches the prey by its neck and the strong jaws and the teeth help him to kill its prey. Bengal tiger has a strong sense of smell. It also has a great vision which helps it to hunt during the night time. Bengal tiger can also swim and move quite swiftly in water. Bengal tigers are fully grown at the age of 2–3 years. They have stripes all over their body. Their stripes are like fingerprints. No two are the same. They have a white spot on the back of their ears which looks like eyes. Tigresses are devoted mothers who are very protective of their cubs. They look after their young ones till they are about two and a half years old.

  1. Protected

  2. Developed

  3. Dependent

  4. Devoted
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

These are synonyms.

Multiple choice

A sandy and saline area is the natural habitat of an India animal species. The animal has no predators in that area but its existence is threatened due to the destruction of its habitat. Which one of the following could be that animal?

  1. Indian wild buffalo

  2. Indian wild ass

  3. Indian wild boar

  4. Indian gazelle
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary also known as the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Little Rann of Kutch in the Gujarat state of India. Spread over 4954 km², it is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. The wildlife sanctuary was established in 1972 and came under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1973. The sanctuary is one of the last places on earth where the endangered wild ass sub-species Indian Wild Ass can be spotted.  The main threat faced by the sanctuary is the illegal salt panning activity in the area. 25% of India\'s salt supply comes from planning activity in the area.

Multiple choice

Which of the following pairs is an example of endemic fauna? (a) Rohu fish and Bison (b) Bison and sea otter (c) White tiger and Indian giant squirrel (d) Flying squirrel and Bison (e) Flying squirrel and Kite

  1. (a)

  2. (b)

  3. (c)

  4. (d)

  5. (e)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is correct. Bison, Indian giant squirrel and flying squirrel are endemic fauna. The destruction of their habitat, increasing population and introduction of new species may affect the natural habitat of endemic species and endanger their existence.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

1.         Vermin is a toxic to a wide range of living organisms, including marine animals such as crayfish, daphnids, sea shrimp and many species of fish. 2.         Bengal Florican, Siberian Crane and Great Indian Bustard are some of the migratory species under the critically endangered category in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1: It is incorrect. Vermin are wild animals which are believed to be harmful to crops, farm animals, game, or which carry disease, e.g. herd of nilgais which enter cotton and red gram fields look for fodder near Telangana region. Statement 2: It is incorrect. Bengal Florican and Great Indian Bustard are the endangered grassland species, whereas Siberian Crane is an endangered migratory wetland species.

Multiple choice

The multi-level hierarchical pie chart shows the population of animals in a reserve forest. The correct conclusions from this information are:

(i) Butterflies are birds. (ii) There are more tigers in this forest than red ants. (iii) All reptiles in this forest are either snakes or crocodiles. (iv) Elephants are the largest mammals in this forest.

  1. (i) and (ii) only

  2. (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)

  3. (i), (iii) and (iv) only

  4. (i), (ii) and (iii) only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(i)    Bird section contains Butterfly also (Right) (ii)   Tiger section covers more area on pi-chart the red-ant so they are in large number (Right) (iii)  There are only two kind of reptiles are in pie-chart; snakes & crocodile (Right) (iv)  Pi-chart did not representing about the size of animals so we can’t say anything about size (wrong)

Multiple choice

“India has the largest population of the Asian X. Today, there are just about 20,000 to 25,000 X in their natural habitats spreading across the evergreen forests, dry thorn forests, swamps and grasslands. Their prime habitats, are however the moist deciduous forests. The X population in India is spread from north-west India where they are found in the forest divisions of Dehradun, Bijnor and National districts of UP to the Western Ghats in the states of Karnataka and Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Central India, their population is distributed over Southern Bihar and Odisha. In the East, they are seen in North Bengal, Assam and a few other states.” The animal “X” referred to in this quotation is

  1. lion

  2. elephant

  3. tiger

  4. one-horned rhinoceros
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The description provided (20,000 to 25,000 population, moist deciduous forests, distribution from Uttarakhand to the Western Ghats and Odisha) clearly refers to the Asian Elephant.

Multiple choice

The largest portion of India's wastelands occurs in

  1. upland without scrub

  2. water logged and marshy land

  3. degraded pasture and grazing land

  4. wastelands created by shifting cultivation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

According to land use statistics in India, the largest portion of wasteland is classified as degraded pasture and grazing land.