UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC dismisses plea for probe into ‘violation’ by animal care centre

Q1. With reference to the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), consider the following statements: 1. Species listed in Appendix I are threatened with extinction and all commercial international trade in such specimens is generally prohibited. 2. Unlike Appendix I species, Appendix II species require BOTH an import permit and an export permit for every international transfer. 3. A species can be added to Appendix III unilaterally by any Party, whereas listing in Appendices I and II requires a decision at a Conference of the Parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Species listed in Appendix I are threatened with extinction and all commercial international trade in such specimens is generally prohibited.
  2. Unlike Appendix I species, Appendix II species require BOTH an import permit and an export permit for every international transfer.
  3. A species can be added to Appendix III unilaterally by any Party, whereas listing in Appendices I and II requires a decision at a Conference of the Parties.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. How many Appendices are there in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) into which species are categorised for varying levels of trade regulation?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q3. With reference to statutory authorities involved in wildlife regulation in India, consider the following pairings of authority and parent statute: 1. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau — Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 2. Central Zoo Authority — Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 3. National Tiger Conservation Authority — Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 4. National Biodiversity Authority — Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 Which of the pairings given above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau — Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
  2. Central Zoo Authority — Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
  3. National Tiger Conservation Authority — Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
  4. National Biodiversity Authority — Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q4. Which one of the following is the designated nodal enforcement agency in India for implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)?

  • A. Central Zoo Authority
  • B. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
  • C. National Tiger Conservation Authority
  • D. Directorate General of Foreign Trade

Q5. In the context of CITES, the term 'Appendix I' precisely refers to which one of the following categories of species?

  • A. Species whose populations are stable but whose international trade volumes are routinely monitored by Parties
  • B. Species threatened with extinction in which international commercial trade is generally prohibited and permitted only in exceptional non-commercial circumstances
  • C. Species that are protected within at least one Party country which has unilaterally sought the cooperation of other Parties to control their trade
  • D. Species whose specimens may be freely traded across borders provided they originate from captive-bred sources
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