UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Managing coexistence in human-wildlife conflict zones

Q1. With reference to the four cross-cutting themes covered under the 14 Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Guidelines (2023), consider the following: 1. Crowd Management in Human-Wildlife Conflict related situations 2. Occupational Health and Safety in the context of HWC mitigation 3. Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance for HWC-affected households 4. Cooperation between the Forest and Media sectors on HWC communication Which of the above are correctly identified as cross-cutting themes under these guidelines?

  1. Crowd Management in Human-Wildlife Conflict related situations
  2. Occupational Health and Safety in the context of HWC mitigation
  3. Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance for HWC-affected households
  4. Cooperation between the Forest and Media sectors on HWC communication
  • A. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. In the context of India's policy framework on Human-Wildlife Conflict, the term 'Coexistence' is most accurately defined as which one of the following?

  • A. The translocation of conflict-causing wild animals from human-dominated landscapes into the core areas of protected areas
  • B. A dynamic but stable condition in which humans and wildlife adapt to and tolerate each other's presence, with negative interactions minimised
  • C. The statutory demarcation of eco-sensitive zones around protected areas in which human economic activity is prohibited
  • D. The disbursal of ex-gratia compensation by State Governments for crop and livestock losses caused by Schedule I species

Q3. The National Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan (2021-26) was developed through a multi-year consultative process under which one of the following bilateral/international cooperation initiatives?

  • A. Indo-German Project on Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation
  • B. Indo-Japanese Forest Sector Cooperation Programme
  • C. GEF-UNDP Securing Livelihoods, Conservation, Sustainable Use Project
  • D. World Bank-funded Ecosystems Services Improvement Project

Q4. The Centre of Excellence for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management (CoE-HWC), announced during Wildlife Week 2025, has been established at which one of the following institutions as its lead host?

  • A. Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun
  • B. Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore
  • C. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun
  • D. Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai