UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — GPS study aims to reduce human-animal conflicts in Assam

Q1. With reference to Elephant Reserves in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Elephant Reserves are landscape-level management units that can take in multiple-use forests, plantations and corridors besides Protected Areas.
  2. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 lists Elephant Reserves among the categories of protected areas it provides for, alongside National Parks and Sanctuaries.
  3. Because elephant ranges extend beyond Protected Areas, the mandate of Project Elephant expressly covers corridors and the mitigation of human–elephant conflict.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is categorised as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
  2. A species' IUCN Red List category is assigned on the basis of the level of legal protection it enjoys under the wildlife laws of its range countries.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Since ivory poaching targets tusked individuals, it has little effect on the sex ratio of wild Asian elephant populations.
  2. Poaching of Asian elephants for ivory is directed mainly at males.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q4. Consider the following facts about Asian elephants: Family groups consist of related adult females and their offspring and are led by the eldest female. Females stay with their family group for life. Males leave the natal group around puberty and thereafter live singly or in small all-male groups. A tracking study fits a collar on one adult female in each of several family groups and on one adult bull. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. The collar on one adult female of a family group can reasonably stand in for the movement of that whole group.
  2. The movement record of the collared bull cannot be taken to represent the movement of any family group.
  3. Solitary bulls will necessarily occupy smaller home ranges than family groups, since they move without calves.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q5. Consider the following assertion: 'Human–elephant conflict on the north bank of the Brahmaputra in Assam is as much a land-use problem as a wildlife problem.' Which of the statements given above support/supports the assertion?

  1. Elephants tracked in the region moved through tea plantations, farmland and riverine habitats besides forests.
  2. Elephant ranges extend beyond Protected Areas into multiple-use forests and plantations.
  3. The Asian elephant is categorised as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
  4. Human–elephant conflict stems largely from elephants damaging crops in agricultural areas.
  • A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Q6. A five-year study in Assam generated tens of thousands of GPS fixes from collared elephants. With reference to the use of such data in managing human–elephant conflict, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. GPS-collar data from a few animals can by itself provide an estimate of the total elephant population of a landscape.
  2. Fixes recorded across seasons can help delineate the corridors and stepping-stone habitats that elephants use.
  3. Overlaying the fixes on maps of roads and railways in a GIS can help locate where wildlife crossings are needed.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 2 only

Q7. With reference to Project Elephant, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Being a centrally sponsored scheme, it relies on State Forest Departments for implementation, with the Centre providing funds and technical support.
  2. Its mandate covers the welfare of domesticated elephants as well as the protection of wild populations.
  3. Its mandate goes beyond anti-poaching to include addressing human–elephant conflict.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3