UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Forest staff shortage in Rajasthan impeding action against illegal mining in Chambal: SC

Q1. Across how many States does the National Chambal Sanctuary extend?

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

Q2. In the context of the gharial, from which the species derives its name, the term 'ghara' refers to which one of the following?

• A. The pot-like bulbous growth at the tip of the snout in adult males
• B. The sandbank sites where the females lay their eggs
• C. The sideways sweeping strike of the head used to catch fish
• D. The elongated, needle-like teeth lining the jaws

Q3. Day-to-day management and enforcement within the National Chambal Sanctuary, including protection of its riverine fauna, is primarily the responsibility of which one of the following?

• A. The Forest Departments of the respective State Governments
• B. The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
• C. The National Board for Wildlife under the Union Environment Ministry
• D. The Central Zoo Authority

Q4. Among the fauna of the National Chambal Sanctuary, which of the following are correctly identified as being assessed 'Critically Endangered' on the IUCN Red List?

1. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
2. Red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga)
3. Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
4. Indian skimmer (Rynchops albicollis)

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1, 2 and 4
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. In 2026, the Supreme Court stayed a Rajasthan notification that had sought to denotify how much sanctuary land in the National Chambal Sanctuary?

• A. 435 hectares
• B. 610 hectares
• C. 732 hectares
• D. 5,500 hectares

Q6. The Supreme Court's cognisance of illegal sand mining in the Chambal is described as 'suo motu'. In this context, 'suo motu' most precisely means that the Court:

• A. Took up the matter on its own motion, without any formal petition filed by an aggrieved party
• B. Acted solely on a written reference made by the Union Government
• C. Exercised exclusively its appellate jurisdiction over a lower court's decree
• D. Could adjudicate only after the State Legislature passed an enabling resolution

Q7. Regarding the alteration of boundaries or denotification of a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following statements are correct?

1. The boundaries of a sanctuary can be altered only on a resolution passed by the Legislature of the State.
2. After the final notification, changes require the recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife or its Standing Committee.
3. Such denotification can be ordered by the Divisional Forest Officer through an administrative circular.
4. The power to declare and denotify a sanctuary vests with the National Green Tribunal.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1, 3 and 4
• D. 1 and 4 only

Q8. While issuing sweeping directions to the State machinery in the Chambal mining case, the Supreme Court relied on its power to pass any order necessary for doing 'complete justice'. This power is conferred by which Article of the Constitution?

• A. Article 142
• B. Article 131
• C. Article 143
• D. Article 226