UPSC Prelims 2020 Q73: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 and 4 only
- (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation
Protected Areas in Cauvery Basin: Location Matching
| Protected Area | Basin | Correct? |
|---|---|---|
| Nagarhole NP | Cauvery | YES (Karnataka) |
| Papikonda NP | Godavari, NOT Cauvery | NO |
| Sathyamangalam TR | Cauvery/Bhavani | YES (Tamil Nadu) |
| Wayanad WLS | Nilgiris/Chaliyar, overlaps Cauvery | YES (Kerala, borderland) |
Cauvery basin geography: Originates Western Ghats -> flows through Karnataka, TN, merges with Godavari delta (Andhra). Nagarhole, Sathyamangalam, Wayanad are in basin; Papikonda is in separate Godavari basin.
Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only - All except Papikonda.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Wayanad (4) is also in Cauvery basin area.
- (b) Incorrect. Statements 1 and 3 are correct; statement 2 is wrong.
- (c) CORRECT. Nagarhole (1), Sathyamangalam (3), Wayanad (4) are in Cauvery basin. Papikonda (2) is in Godavari basin.
- (d) Incorrect. Papikonda is NOT in Cauvery basin.
Key point
Cauvery basin PAs: Nagarhole (Kodagu, KA), Bandipur (Chamarajanagar, KA), Sathyamangalam (Erode, TN), Anamalai (Coimbatore, TN), Wayanad (Kannur, KL). Papikonda is Godavari basin (Odisha-AP).
Remember
Protected Areas in Cauvery basin include: (1) Nagarhole National Park (yes), (3) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (yes), (4) Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (yes). Papikonda is located in the Godavari basin, NOT Cauvery. Answer: 1, 3 and 4 only.
Common mistakes
- Confusing river basins - Papikonda is clearly in Godavari drainage.
- Missing that Wayanad overlaps multiple drainages (Western Ghats watershed); part of Cauvery system.
- Assuming all southern Indian PAs are in one basin. Southern India has multiple basins (Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Nilgiris).
Exam tip
South Indian basin ecology: Cauvery basin supports dry deciduous + riparian forests. High endemism (tiger, elephant, gaur). Upstream development (dams) reduces flow (interstate conflict TN-Karnataka).
Sources
- Wildlife Institute of India - Basin-wise PA Database
- Ministry of Environment - Cauvery Basin Report