UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Vulture Safe Zones will be created in Tamil Nadu, State govt. tells Madras HC

Q1. Under which of the following policy documents is the Tamil Nadu Forest Department establishing Vulture Safe Zones, as reported to the Madras High Court in January 2026?

  • A. National Wildlife Action Plan 2017-2031
  • B. Vision Document for Vulture Conservation in Tamil Nadu 2025-30
  • C. Tamil Nadu State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2018
  • D. Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats Scheme 2021

Q2. With reference to Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs) in India, consider the following statements: 1. A VSZ is a buffer area of about 30,000 sq km declared free of vulture-toxic veterinary NSAIDs. 2. The principal drug whose veterinary use the VSZ regime seeks to eliminate is diclofenac. 3. The first VSZ in Tamil Nadu is centred on the Moyar River Valley in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve. 4. Vulture Safe Zones are notified under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 as a category of protected area. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A VSZ is a buffer area of about 30,000 sq km declared free of vulture-toxic veterinary NSAIDs.
  2. The principal drug whose veterinary use the VSZ regime seeks to eliminate is diclofenac.
  3. The first VSZ in Tamil Nadu is centred on the Moyar River Valley in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve.
  4. Vulture Safe Zones are notified under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 as a category of protected area.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. The first Vulture Safe Zone proposed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, as reported to the Madras High Court in 2026, is centred on which one of the following?

  • A. Anamalai Tiger Reserve
  • B. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
  • C. Moyar River Valley in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve
  • D. Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

Q4. How many species of vultures are recorded in India, as referenced in the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India 2020-2025?

  • A. Six
  • B. Seven
  • C. Nine
  • D. Eleven

Q5. The Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India 2020-2025, the parent framework under which Vulture Safe Zones are rolled out, was released by which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
  • B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • C. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
  • D. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare