UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC warns Rajasthan, M.P., U.P. over illegal mining in Chambal sanctuary

Q1. The National Chambal Sanctuary is noted for its exceptional chelonian (turtle) diversity. Of the 26 rare freshwater turtle species found in India, approximately how many are supported within this sanctuary?

  • A. 3
  • B. 8
  • C. 14
  • D. 22

Q2. The tri-state National Chambal Sanctuary was first constituted, before being extended into the other two states, in which State and in which year?

  • A. Rajasthan, 1979
  • B. Uttar Pradesh, 1979
  • C. Madhya Pradesh, 1978
  • D. Madhya Pradesh, 1979

Q3. The gharial's protection under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is administered at the Union level by which ministry?

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

Q4. According to the latest estimates, approximately how many mature gharials survive in the wild worldwide?

  • A. About 650
  • B. About 2,500
  • C. About 6,500
  • D. About 12,000

Q5. In the 2026 Chambal sanctuary matter, the Supreme Court proceeded by 'suo motu cognisance.' What does this term precisely mean?

  • A. The Court initiated the proceedings on its own motion, without any formal petition being filed
  • B. The Court transferred a pending High Court case to itself for consolidated hearing
  • C. The Court referred the dispute to a larger Constitution Bench for an authoritative ruling
  • D. The Court appointed a commission of inquiry to investigate before admitting the case

Q6. With reference to the distinction between a 'wildlife sanctuary' and a 'national park' under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, consider the following statements: 1. Grazing of livestock may be regulated or permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden in a sanctuary, whereas it is not permitted in a national park. 2. Both sanctuaries and national parks are declared by the State Government under the Act. 3. Unlike a national park, a wildlife sanctuary cannot be constituted over an area of reserved forest land. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Grazing of livestock may be regulated or permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden in a sanctuary, whereas it is not permitted in a national park.
  2. Both sanctuaries and national parks are declared by the State Government under the Act.
  3. Unlike a national park, a wildlife sanctuary cannot be constituted over an area of reserved forest land.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Under Section 29 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the removal or exploitation of wildlife from a sanctuary is prohibited except under a permit. Who is empowered to grant such a permit?

  • A. The District Collector of the district concerned
  • B. The Chief Wildlife Warden, on the State Government's authorisation
  • C. The National Board for Wild Life
  • D. The State Biodiversity Board

Q8. The Chambal River rises from the Janapav Hills, which lie on the northern slopes of which of the following?

  • A. The Aravalli Range
  • B. The Satpura Range
  • C. The Vindhyan escarpment
  • D. The Western Ghats

Q9. The cascade of major reservoirs on the Chambal — Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar and the Kota Barrage — is developed and operated as a joint valley project of which two States?

  • A. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
  • B. Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh
  • C. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
  • D. Rajasthan and Gujarat

Q10. With reference to the ecological impact and regulation of river sand mining in India, consider the following statements: 1. Uncontrolled riverbed sand mining destroys the sandbank nesting sites essential for gharial breeding. 2. Under the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016, environmental clearance for sand-mining leases of area up to 5 hectares is granted by a District-level authority headed by the District Collector/Magistrate. 3. The Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016 were issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 4. Sand is classified as a 'major mineral' under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Uncontrolled riverbed sand mining destroys the sandbank nesting sites essential for gharial breeding.
  2. Under the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016, environmental clearance for sand-mining leases of area up to 5 hectares is granted by a District-level authority headed by the District Collector/Magistrate.
  3. The Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016 were issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  4. Sand is classified as a 'major mineral' under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. In enforcing environmental compliance against recalcitrant state authorities, the Supreme Court often keeps a case pending through a 'continuing mandamus.' What does this device precisely denote?

  • A. A single, final writ directing an authority to perform a statutory duty, after which the case is closed
  • B. A mechanism by which the Court keeps the matter open to monitor compliance and issue fresh directions without a new petition
  • C. A writ transferring supervision of the matter to the National Green Tribunal
  • D. An order staying all executive action until the government files a compliance affidavit