Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to

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2012

Environment, SpeciesXThreats and Conservation efforts

Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to:

(a)

the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species disease among them

(b)

a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle persistent and fatal

(c)

scarcity of food available to them

(d)

a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them

Correct Answer

(b)

Explanation

Option (b) is correct. Vultures in India have declined dramatically due to the ingestion of diclofenac, a drug used to treat cattle. This drug causes kidney failure and visceral gout in vultures that consume the carcasses of treated animals. Despite the ban, illegal use continues, leading to a significant drop in vulture populations.

Microtheme: SpeciesXThreats and Conservation efforts —
11 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

[2024] Consider the following statements:
Statement-I:
The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the “vermin” category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Statement-II:
The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both statement I and Statement II are correct and statement II explains statement I
- (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
- (c) Staement- I is correct , but Statement II is incorrect*
- (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Correct Answer:
[2022] With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements :
1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Correct Answer: (A) 1 and 2
[2017] The term ‘M-STrIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
- (a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna
- (b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves
- (c) Indigenous Satellite Navigation System
- (d) Security of National Highways
Correct Answer: (B) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves
[2016] Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following States has declared a particular butterfly as ‘State Butterfly’?
- (a) Arunachal Pradesh
- (b) Himachal Pradesh
- (c) Karnataka
- (d) Maharashtra
Correct Answer: (D) Maharashtra
[2015] Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?
- (a) Saltwater Crocodile
- (b) Olive ridley turtle
- (c) Gangetic dolphin
- (d) Gharial
Correct Answer: (C) Gangetic dolphin
[2014] The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional
human life is the establishment of:
- (a) biosphere reserves
- (b) botanical gardens
- (c) national parks
- (d) wildlife sanctuaries
Correct Answer: (A) biosphere reserves
[2013] Consider the following fauna of India :
(1). Gharial
(2). Leatherback turtle
(3). Swamp deer
Which of the above is/are endangered?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) None
Correct Answer: (C) 1, 2 and 3
[2012] Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to:
- (a) the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species
  disease among them
- (b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle
  persistent and fatal
- (c) scarcity of food available to them
- (d) a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them
Correct Answer: (B) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle
persistent and fatal
[2012] Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?
- (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
- (b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetai, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
- (c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
- (d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal
Correct Answer: (A) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
[2011] Which one of the following is not a site for in-situ method of conservation of flora?
- (a) Biosphere Reserve
- (b) Botanical Garden
- (c) National Park
- (d) Wildlife Sanctuary
Correct Answer: (B) Botanical Garden
[2003] Consider the following animals of India:
1. Crocodile
2. Elephant
Which of these is/are endangered species?
- (a) Only 1
- (b) Only 2
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2