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Geography & Environment · Environment & Ecology

Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar Sites: 46 previous year questions

UPSC has asked 46 questions on Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar Sites between 1999 and 2026: CDS 12 · CAPF 12 · CSE 12 · EPFO (APFC) 4 · NDA 3 · CISF (LDCE) 2 · Geo-Scientist 1. 27 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 12 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.

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Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.

NDA2025 · 2Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Which of the following were added in India as Ramsar Site in the year 2025? 1. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary 2. Udhwa Lake 3. Rudrasagar Lake 4. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary Select the answer using the code given below:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Added as Ramsar sites in 2025: Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand) | NOT: Rudrasagar (added 2005), Bakhira (added 2022)
CAPF2024Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·2

Which of the following statements regarding faunal resources of India is/are correct ? 1. High degree of endemism has been noticed in the biodiversity hotspots of India 2. Of the total biosphere reserves in India, the Sundarbans has the largest number of species and Nokrek has the smallest number of species Select the answer using the codes given below:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)High endemism is seen in India's biodiversity hotspots | Among India's biosphere reserves, Sundarbans has the largest and Nokrek the smallest number of species
CAPF2023Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Consider the following statements about Ramsar Wetland sites in India : 1. Gahirmatha is the habitat of Olive Ridley Turtles. 2. Chilka lake is the habitat of Irrawaddy Dolphin as its flagship species. 3. Nalsarovar Wetland is also the habitat of Indian Wild Ass (Khur). 4. Tso Moriri Wetland is the habitat and breeding ground of Black*necked Crane. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Gahirmatha: Olive Ridley turtles (largest mass nesting ground) | Chilka: Irrawaddy dolphin flagship | Nalsarovar: Indian Wild Ass (Khur) | Tso Moriri: habitat and breeding ground of Black-necked Crane
CDS2022 · 1Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Which of the following about Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is/are correct ? 1. It is recently declared as a Ramsar Site (wetlands of international importance) 2. It is located in Uttar Pradesh Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary was declared a Ramsar site in 2022 (World Wetlands Day) | NOT: Uttar Pradesh; it is near Jamnagar, Gujarat (Gulf of Kutch coast)
CDS2022 · 1Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

With reference to Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Sultanpur National Park, Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary and Wadhwana Wetland, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. All of them are Ramsar sites. 2. All of them are naturally formed wetlands. 3. All of them are birding sites. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Bhindawas, Sultanpur, Thol Lake and Wadhwana are all Ramsar sites and birding sites | NOT: all naturally formed; most are human-made or modified
NDA2022 · 2Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

In a recent judgement, the Supreme Court of India directed that every protected forest, national park and wildlife sanctuary across the country should have a mandatory eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of a minimum of

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Supreme Court (June 2022) directed a mandatory eco-sensitive zone of minimum 1 km from boundaries of every protected forest, national park and wildlife sanctuary
CDS2021 · 2Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·2

Which one of the following biosphere reserves comprises islands with estuaries, beaches, coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves ?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve comprises islands (21) with estuaries, beaches, coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves
NDA2020 · 1 & 2Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·2

Which of the following statements with regard to Biosphere Reserve is/are correct ? 1. The idea of Biosphere Reserve was initiated by UNESCO in 1973-74 2. There are 18 designated Biosphere Reserves in India 3. All Biosphere Reserves in India have been included in world network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Biosphere Reserve idea was initiated by UNESCO (MAB) in 1973-74 | India has 18 designated Biosphere Reserves | NOT: all are in UNESCO's World Network
CAPF2017Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar Sites

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists : List I (Bird Sanctuary‘) List II (State) A. Sultanpur 1. West Bengal B. Kulik 2. Haryana C. Nawabganj 3. Uttar Pradesh D. Attiveri 4. Karnataka Code A B C D

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Verified fact to follow.
CAPF2015Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Arrange the following National Parks of India from North to South direction : 1. Indravati National Park 2. Nagarhole National Park 3. Corbett National Park 4. Madhav National Park Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer C (official UPSC key)National Parks north to south: Corbett (Uttarakhand) - Madhav (MP) - Indravati (Chhattisgarh) - Nagarhole (Karnataka)
CAPF2014Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists : List I (Wildlife Sanctuary) List II (State) A. Mahananda 1. Madhya Pradesh B. Lakhari 2. Uttar Pradesh C. Pachmarhi 3. West Bengal D. Chandra Prabha 4. Odisha Code A B C D

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Mahananda - West Bengal; Lakhari - Odisha; Pachmarhi - Madhya Pradesh; Chandra Prabha - Uttar Pradesh
CSE2013Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Consider the following pairs: [2013 - I] National Park River flowing through the park 1. Corbett National Park Ganga 2. Kaziranga National Park Manas 3. Silent Valley National Park Kaveri Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)None correctly matched: Corbett - Ramganga; Kaziranga - Brahmaputra, Diphlu, Mora Dhansiri; Silent Valley - Kunthipuzha
CSE2012Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements: 1. The country‘s total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States. 2. In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands is larger than that of inland wetlands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Gujarat has the largest area under wetlands among Indian states (about 23.1% of India's wetland area) | NOT: coastal wetlands larger than inland; inland wetlands are significantly larger
EPFO (APFC)2012Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·2

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists: List-I List-II (State) A. Buxa Tiger Reserve 1. Rajasthan B. Periyar Tiger Reserve 2. Gujarat C. Sariska National Park 3. West Bengal D. Wild Ass Sanctuary 4. Kerala Code:

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Buxa Tiger Reserve - West Bengal; Periyar Tiger Reserve - Kerala; Sariska National Park - Rajasthan; Wild Ass Sanctuary - Gujarat
CAPF2011Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·2

Why is Nagpur promoted as the tiger capital of the world ? 1. Nagpur is the major store house of tigers as the districts adjacent to Nagpur have many tiger reserves and sanctuaries. 2. Nagpur has infrastructure that can support a large tourist industry. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Nagpur is promoted as the tiger capital of the world: adjacent districts have many tiger reserves, and it has infrastructure to support tourism
CSE2010Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Consider the following pairs: Protected area Well-known for 1. Bhiterkanika, Odisha Salt Water Crocodile 2. Desert National Park, Rajasthan Great Indian Bustard 3. Eravikulam, Kerala Hoolock Gibbon Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Bhitarkanika (Odisha): saltwater crocodile | Desert National Park (Rajasthan): Great Indian Bustard | NOT: Eravikulam for Hoolock Gibbon; Eravikulam is known for Nilgiri Tahr (Hoolock Gibbon is in Northeast India)
CAPF2009Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·2

Which one of the following statements is not correct about Biosphere Reserves ?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)NOT: Biosphere Reserves were first started by IUCN; the programme was initiated by UNESCO under MAB
CSE2006Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Match List-I (National Park/Wildlife Sanctuary) with List-I) (Nearby Town) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List-I (National Park/Wildlife Sanctuary) List-II (Nearby Town) A. Chandra Prabha 1. Jaipur B. Karera 2. Jhansi C. Jaisamand 3. Agra D. Nahargarh 4. Varanasi 5. Udaipur

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Chandra Prabha - Varanasi; Karera - Jhansi; Jaisamand - Udaipur; Nahargarh - Jaipur
CSE2005Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Consider the following statements: 1. Silent Valley National Park in the Nallamalai range. 2. Pathrakkadavu Hydroelectric project is proposed to be built near the Silent Valley National Park. 3. The Kunthi river originates in Silent Valley's rainforests. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Pathrakkadavu Hydroelectric project is proposed near Silent Valley National Park (on the Kunthipuzha) | Kunthi river originates in Silent Valley's rainforests | NOT: Silent Valley in the Nallamalai range; it is in the Nilgiri Hills (Western Ghats), Palakkad, Kerala
CSE2004Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·2

Match List-I (Biosphere Reserve) with List-II (States) and select the correct answer using the codes given below: List-I (Biosphere Reserve) List-II (State) A. Similipal 1. Sikkim B. Dehong Deband 2. Uttaranchal C. Nokrek 3. Arunachal Pradesh D. Kanchenjunga 4. Orissa 5. Meghalaya

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Biosphere reserves: Similipal - Orissa; Dehong Deband - Arunachal Pradesh; Nokrek - Meghalaya; Kanchenjunga - Sikkim
CSE2004Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Match List-I (National Park/Sanctuary) with List-II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below: List-I (Protected Area) List-II (State) A. Kanger Ghati National Park 1. Chhattisgarh B. Nager hole National Park 2. Haryana C. Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary 3. Himachal Pradesh D. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary 4. Karnataka

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Kanger Ghati National Park - Chhattisgarh; Nagerhole National Park - Karnataka; Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary - Himachal Pradesh; Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary - Haryana
EPFO (APFC)2004Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Consider the following statements : A. Kaziranga National Park is a World Heritage Site recognized by the UNESCO. B. Kaziranga National Park is a home to sloth bear and hoolock gibbon. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site | Kaziranga is home to sloth bear and hoolock gibbon
EPFO (APFC)2004Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Match List-I (Wildlife Sanctuary) with List-II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below: List-I (Wildlife Sanctuary) List-II (State) A. Bhitar Kanika 1. Andhra Pradesh B. Pachmarhi 2. Karnataka C. Pocharam 3. Madhya Pradesh D. Sharavathi 4. Orissa 5. Uttar Pradesh Codes:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Bhitarkanika - Odisha; Pachmarhi - Madhya Pradesh; Pocharam - Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana); Sharavathi - Karnataka
EPFO (APFC)2002Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves & Ramsar SitesOn card ENV 2·3

Match List-I (Park/Sanctuary) with List-II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists : List-I (Park/Sanctuary) List-II (State) A. Keoladeo National Park 1. Assam B. Corbett National Park 2. Kerala C. Kazi Ranga Sanctuary 3. Uttar Pradesh D. Periyar Game Sanctuary 4. Rajasthan 5. Uttaranchal Codes:

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Keoladeo NP - Rajasthan; Corbett NP - Uttaranchal; Kaziranga - Assam; Periyar - Kerala

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