UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Scheme for crocodile sanctuaries

Q1. As per the annual census conducted in 2025, approximately how many Saltwater (Estuarine) crocodiles were counted in Bhitarkanika National Park?

  • A. About 1,520
  • B. About 1,826
  • C. About 2,450
  • D. About 3,100

Q2. With reference to India's wildlife conservation, the 'Crocodile Conservation Project', which completed 50 years in 2025, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A captive-breeding, rearing and release programme launched in 1975 with UNDP/FAO technical assistance, covering all three Indian crocodilian species
  • B. A statutory programme constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 exclusively for conservation of the Gharial in the Chambal basin
  • C. A bilateral India–Nepal initiative for trans-boundary conservation of the Mugger crocodile in the Terai region
  • D. A CITES-mandated species recovery project administered in India by the National Biodiversity Authority

Q3. Consider the following pairs of Crocodile Research-cum-Conservation Centres set up in connection with India's Crocodile Conservation Project and the species primarily bred there: 1. Tikarpada (Satkosia, Odisha) — Gharial 2. Dangamal (Bhitarkanika, Odisha) — Mugger 3. Ramatirtha (Simlipal, Odisha) — Saltwater Crocodile 4. Kukrail (Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh) — Gharial Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

  1. Tikarpada (Satkosia, Odisha) — Gharial
  2. Dangamal (Bhitarkanika, Odisha) — Mugger
  3. Ramatirtha (Simlipal, Odisha) — Saltwater Crocodile
  4. Kukrail (Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh) — Gharial
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Gharial Conservation implementation action plan released during Wildlife Week 2025, compared with the original Crocodile Conservation Project of 1975: 1. The 1975 project was launched with technical assistance of the UNDP/FAO, whereas the 2025 Gharial action plan was released by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in association with the Wildlife Institute of India. 2. Unlike the 1975 project, which covered all three Indian crocodilian species, the 2025 action plan is focused specifically on the Gharial. 3. The 2025 action plan was launched at the National Chambal Sanctuary, which had also hosted the first rearing centre established under the 1975 project. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The 1975 project was launched with technical assistance of the UNDP/FAO, whereas the 2025 Gharial action plan was released by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in association with the Wildlife Institute of India.
  2. Unlike the 1975 project, which covered all three Indian crocodilian species, the 2025 action plan is focused specifically on the Gharial.
  3. The 2025 action plan was launched at the National Chambal Sanctuary, which had also hosted the first rearing centre established under the 1975 project.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3