UPSC Prelims 2024 Q20: Environment & Ecology – Environmental Governance & Legislation
Consider the following statements:
Statement - I:
The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Statement - II:
The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- (a) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II explains Statement - I
- (b) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct, but Statement - II does not explain Statement - I
- (c) Statement - I is correct, but Statement - II is incorrect
- (d) Statement - I is incorrect, but Statement - II is correct
Answer: (c) Statement - I is correct, but Statement - II is incorrect
Explanation
Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus medius / giganteus)
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| I. Placed under 'vermin' | Correct | It was in Schedule V (Vermin) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 — one of the few listed vermin species |
| II. Feeds on blood | Not correct | It is a fruit bat (frugivore); it eats fruit, nectar and flowers |
Why it was called vermin: it damages fruit orchards (mango, guava, litchi).
After the 2022 amendment, Schedule V was removed; vermin status is now notified by the Centre under Section 62.
Bats compared:
| Bat | Food |
|---|---|
| Indian flying fox | Fruit and nectar; a key pollinator and seed disperser |
| Vampire bats | Blood — found only in Central and South America |
The flying fox is also a known reservoir host of the Nipah virus.
Answer: (c) Statement - I is correct, but Statement - II is incorrect.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement II is false, so it cannot explain Statement I.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement II is false; the flying fox eats fruit and nectar, not blood.
- (c) CORRECT. It was listed as vermin because it damages orchards, but it is a fruit bat, not a blood feeder.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement I is true; the flying fox was in Schedule V (Vermin).
Key point
Indian flying fox = fruit bat listed as vermin (orchard damage); vampire bats live only in the Americas.
Remember
The Indian flying fox is a fruit bat and was listed as vermin; it does not feed on blood.
Common mistakes
- Believing all bats suck blood; only three vampire bat species do, all in Latin America.
- Forgetting the flying fox is an important pollinator and seed disperser.
- Not knowing the 2022 amendment removed Schedule V; vermin is now notified case by case.
Exam tip
Flying fox = flying fruit-eater. Its name comes from its fox-like face, not from hunting.
Sources
- Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 — Schedule V (as before 2022) and Section 62
- Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022
- Zoological Survey of India — Bats of India