UPSC Prelims 2012 Q87: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
Consider the following protected areas:
1. Bandipur
2. Bhitarkanika
3. Manas
4. Sunderbans
Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
- (c) 2, 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation
Which are Tiger Reserves?
| Protected area | Tiger Reserve? | State and note |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Bandipur | Yes | Karnataka; one of the first nine reserves of 1973 |
| 2. Bhitarkanika | No | Odisha; a national park known for saltwater crocodiles, mangroves and nearby Olive Ridley nesting at Gahirmatha |
| 3. Manas | Yes | Assam; also a World Heritage Site and biosphere reserve |
| 4. Sunderbans | Yes | West Bengal; the only mangrove home of the tiger |
Project Tiger:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched | 1973, at Corbett |
| Run by | National Tiger Conservation Authority (statutory, 2006) |
| Zones | Core (inviolate) and buffer |
| Number of reserves | More than 50 today |
Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Bhitarkanika is not a Tiger Reserve, and Manas and Sunderbans are left out.
- (b) CORRECT. Bandipur, Manas and Sunderbans are Tiger Reserves.
- (c) Incorrect. Bhitarkanika is not a Tiger Reserve, and Bandipur is left out.
- (d) Incorrect. Bhitarkanika is a crocodile and mangrove habitat, not a Tiger Reserve.
Key point
Tiger Reserves: Bandipur (Karnataka), Manas (Assam), Sunderbans (West Bengal). Bhitarkanika (Odisha): crocodiles, mangroves, Ramsar site. Project Tiger: 1973.
Remember
Bhitarkanika = crocodiles, not tigers.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Bhitarkanika has tigers because it is a mangrove forest like the Sunderbans.
- Forgetting that Manas is a tiger reserve as well as a rhino habitat.
- Mixing up Bhitarkanika (Odisha) with the Sunderbans (West Bengal).
Exam tip
Learn each park by its flagship animal. Bhitarkanika means crocodiles and turtles, not tigers.
Sources
- National Tiger Conservation Authority — List of Tiger Reserves
- Odisha Forest Department — Bhitarkanika National Park