UPSC Prelims 2020 Q72: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 4 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Indian Elephants: Behavioral & Biological Facts
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elephant group leader is female | TRUE | Elephant herds are matriarchal - led by eldest female (matriarch). Males often solitary. |
| 2 | Max gestation ~22 months | TRUE | Elephant gestation = 645-660 days (~21-22 months). Longest among land mammals. |
| 3 | Calving stops at age 40 | FALSE | Elephants can calve beyond 40 years (up to 50+ in cases). Reproductive life is long. |
| 4 | Kerala has highest elephant population | FALSE | Karnataka + Odisha + Chhattisgarh have higher populations than Kerala. Maharashtra, MP also have significant populations. |
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Statements 1 (matriarchal leadership) and 2 (22-month gestation) are correct. Statements 3 and 4 are false.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 is also correct.
- (c) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 2 are both correct.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 4 is false.
Key point
Elephant biology: Matriarchal social structure (female-led). 22-month gestation (longest mammals). Lifespan 60-70 years (can calve to 50+). India population ~27,000 (declining); habitat loss is key threat.
Remember
The leader of an elephant group is a female (matriarch) (Statement 1 correct). Maximum gestation period can be 22 months (Statement 2 correct). Elephants CAN calve beyond age 40 (Statement 3 wrong). Kerala does NOT have India's highest elephant population (Statement 4 wrong - Karnataka, Odisha lead). Answer: 1 and 2 only.
Common mistakes
- Assuming small herds = low population in Kerala. Actually, Kerala has smaller herds but significant numbers (~3,000). Karnataka/Odisha have larger herds.
- Thinking reproduction stops at 40. Elephants are long-lived; reproductive years extend decades.
- Missing matriarchal society's ecological importance - matriarch has memory of water sources, migration routes (crucial during droughts).
Exam tip
Elephant conservation: India's Project Tiger covers elephants too. Habitat fragmentation (railway, roads) is threat. Asian vs African elephants (Asian smaller, different behavior/ears). Poaching for ivory minimal in India (ethical tusks).
Sources
- Ministry of Environment - Elephant Census Report
- WildLife Institute of India - Elephant Research