UPSC Prelims 2017 Q95: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in
Gujarat
to which one of the following sites?
- (a) Corbett National Park
- (b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
- (c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- (d) Sariska National Park
Answer: (b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Explanation
Translocation of lions from Gujarat
The Asiatic lion survives in the wild only in and around Gir, Gujarat.
A single population is at risk from disease or disaster.
So a second home was proposed.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chosen site | Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh |
| Supreme Court | In April 2013, ordered the translocation of some lions to Kuno |
| Status | Lions have not been moved; Gujarat opposed it |
| Later | Kuno became a National Park (2018) and received cheetahs in 2022 |
The other options:
| Option | State | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Corbett National Park | Uttarakhand | Tigers |
| (c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | Elephants and tigers |
| (d) Sariska National Park | Rajasthan | Tiger reintroduction |
Answer: (b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Corbett National Park is a tiger habitat in Uttarakhand.
- (b) CORRECT. Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh was chosen as the second home for the lions.
- (c) Incorrect. Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu was never proposed for lions.
- (d) Incorrect. Sariska saw the reintroduction of tigers, not lions.
Key point
Asiatic lions (Gir, Gujarat): proposal to translocate some to Kuno Palpur, Madhya Pradesh; Supreme Court order of 2013; Kuno later got cheetahs (2022).
Remember
Lions' proposed second home = Kuno Palpur.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Sariska (tigers brought back) with the lion proposal.
- Thinking the lions have already been moved to Kuno.
- Placing Kuno in Rajasthan; it is in Madhya Pradesh.
Exam tip
Kuno = planned for lions, received cheetahs.
Sources
- Centre for Environmental Law, WWF-India v. Union of India (Supreme Court of India, 15 April 2013)
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — Asiatic Lion Conservation Project