UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — 3 Great Indian Bustard chicks placed in rewilding tunnel

Q1. Consider the following statements about the Great Indian Bustard: 1. It is the State bird of Rajasthan. 2. Its scientific name is Ardeotis nigriceps. 3. It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. 4. It is predominantly a grassland and desert-dwelling species. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. It is the State bird of Rajasthan.
  2. Its scientific name is Ardeotis nigriceps.
  3. It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
  4. It is predominantly a grassland and desert-dwelling species.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. As per recent estimates, the surviving global wild population of the Great Indian Bustard is closest to which one of the following?

  • A. Around 500 individuals
  • B. Fewer than 150 individuals
  • C. Around 1,000 individuals
  • D. Around 2,500 individuals

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the distribution of the Great Indian Bustard: 1. It occurs in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. 2. Besides Rajasthan and Gujarat, small populations occur in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. 3. The species is found exclusively within India and occurs in no other country. 4. Desert National Park lies in the Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It occurs in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
  2. Besides Rajasthan and Gujarat, small populations occur in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
  3. The species is found exclusively within India and occurs in no other country.
  4. Desert National Park lies in the Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q4. Desert National Park, a principal habitat of the Great Indian Bustard, extends over an area closest to which one of the following?

  • A. 740 sq km
  • B. 14,013 sq km
  • C. 3,162 sq km
  • D. 1,412 sq km

Q5. Consider the following statements comparing the Great Indian Bustard conservation centres in Rajasthan: 1. The Godawan Conservation Centre is located at Ramdevra in Jaisalmer district. 2. Ramdevra holds a larger share of the captive GIB population than the Sam centre. 3. The rewilding tunnel for soft-release was constructed at the Sudasari centre rather than at Ramdevra. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Godawan Conservation Centre is located at Ramdevra in Jaisalmer district.
  2. Ramdevra holds a larger share of the captive GIB population than the Sam centre.
  3. The rewilding tunnel for soft-release was constructed at the Sudasari centre rather than at Ramdevra.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The conservation breeding facility for the Great Indian Bustard set up inside Desert National Park in 2019 was established jointly by the Rajasthan government, the Wildlife Institute of India and which one of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • C. Ministry of Science and Technology
  • D. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Q7. In the context of the Great Indian Bustard rewilding programme, the 'soft-release' approach refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Releasing captive-bred birds directly into the wild soon after hatching
  • B. Rearing birds permanently in captivity and releasing only their offspring into the wild
  • C. Acclimatising captive-bred birds to natural conditions with minimal human contact before final release
  • D. Releasing only a few birds each year so that the habitat is not overwhelmed

Q8. Consider the following statements about the Great Indian Bustard rewilding tunnel milestone: 1. The rewilding tunnel was built at a cost of about ₹9.25 crore. 2. Three captive-bred chicks were placed in the tunnel for the first time. 3. The chicks are to remain in the tunnel for about four months under CCTV surveillance. 4. After the tunnel phase, the chicks are to be shifted to Gir National Park for release. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The rewilding tunnel was built at a cost of about ₹9.25 crore.
  2. Three captive-bred chicks were placed in the tunnel for the first time.
  3. The chicks are to remain in the tunnel for about four months under CCTV surveillance.
  4. After the tunnel phase, the chicks are to be shifted to Gir National Park for release.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q9. In the context of protecting the Great Indian Bustard from power lines, 'bird diverters' (such as firefly diverters) refer to which one of the following?

  • A. Underground cables that remove the risk of collision altogether
  • B. Trained personnel who steer flocks away from transmission corridors
  • C. Sensors that shut down wind-turbine blades when birds approach
  • D. Reflective devices fixed on overhead power lines to make them visible to birds in flight

Q10. Consider the following statements about the threats to and conservation of the Great Indian Bustard: 1. Collisions with overhead power lines are a leading cause of GIB mortality. 2. Habitat loss to agriculture and industry has contributed to the population decline. 3. The Supreme Court (2024) ordered that every power line throughout India be laid underground without exception. 4. Hunting was historically among the factors behind the population crash. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. Collisions with overhead power lines are a leading cause of GIB mortality.
  2. Habitat loss to agriculture and industry has contributed to the population decline.
  3. The Supreme Court (2024) ordered that every power line throughout India be laid underground without exception.
  4. Hunting was historically among the factors behind the population crash.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. Being listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 implies which one of the following for the Great Indian Bustard?

  • A. It may be hunted only under a special licence issued by the State government
  • B. It is protected only within notified national parks and sanctuaries
  • C. It is accorded the highest degree of legal protection with the most stringent penalties for offences
  • D. It is protected for a fixed period after which the listing is reviewed

Q12. Consider the following statements comparing the Great Indian Bustard with other bustard species of India: 1. Like the Great Indian Bustard, both the Lesser Florican and the Bengal Florican are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. 2. The Lesser Florican and the Bengal Florican belong to the bustard family, as does the Great Indian Bustard. 3. Project Bustard, launched in 2012, covered only the Great Indian Bustard and not the two florican species. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Like the Great Indian Bustard, both the Lesser Florican and the Bengal Florican are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
  2. The Lesser Florican and the Bengal Florican belong to the bustard family, as does the Great Indian Bustard.
  3. Project Bustard, launched in 2012, covered only the Great Indian Bustard and not the two florican species.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3