UPSC Prelims 2019 Q22: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
Consider the following statements:
1. Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only.
2. Double - humped camel is naturally found in India only.
3. One - horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Species Found ONLY in India: Fact-Check
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asiatic lion naturally found in India only | TRUE | Gir NP, Gujarat is the ONLY natural habitat left. Historic range (Persia, Mesopotamia) is extinct in wild. |
| 2 | Double-humped camel found in India only | FALSE | Bactrian camel is native to Central Asia (Mongolia, China's Gobi Desert). In India, small feral population in Nubra Valley, Ladakh - but India is NOT the only natural habitat. |
| 3 | One-horned rhinoceros found in India only | FALSE | Great Indian one-horned rhino is found in India (Kaziranga, Manas, Jaldapara, Pobitora, Orang, Dudhwa) AND Nepal (Chitwan, Bardia). NOT India-exclusive. |
Only statement 1 is correct. Answer: (a) 1 only.
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Only Asiatic lion (Gir NP) is naturally found in India alone. Double-humped camels are Central Asian; one-horned rhinos are in India AND Nepal.
- (b) Incorrect. Double-humped camels are native to Central Asia, not India-exclusive.
- (c) Incorrect. One-horned rhinoceros is also found in Nepal (Chitwan, Bardia).
- (d) Incorrect. Statements 2 and 3 are false.
Key point
Asiatic lion = India-exclusive (Gir). Bactrian camel = Central Asia + Ladakh. One-horned rhino = India + Nepal.
Remember
Only Asiatic lions (in Gir NP, Gujarat) are naturally found exclusively in India. The double-humped Bactrian camel is native to Central Asia (Mongolia, China's Gobi), with a small feral population in Ladakh. The one-horned rhinoceros is found in India AND Nepal (Chitwan, Bardia).
Common mistakes
- Assuming any 'Asiatic' animal is India-only. Asiatic wild dog (dhole) is in multiple Asian countries.
- Confusing Nubra Valley's small feral Bactrian population with 'natural range'. The natural range is Mongolia/China.
- Not knowing Chitwan NP (Nepal) hosts one-horned rhinos and is a major stronghold.
Exam tip
India-exclusive species: Asiatic lion (Gir), Kashmir stag/Hangul (Kashmir), Nilgiri tahr (Western Ghats), Nilgiri langur, Lion-tailed macaque, Sangai deer (Manipur/Loktak), Great Indian Bustard, Indian giant squirrel.
Sources
- Ministry of Environment - Wildlife Institute of India species database
- IUCN Red List species range maps