UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Biosphere Reserves in India

Q1. With reference to the zonation of a biosphere reserve, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The zones are arranged so that the intensity of permitted human use decreases as one moves outward from the core area to the transition area.
  2. Activities such as environmental education and regulated ecotourism are placed in the buffer zone partly to reduce pressure on the core area.
  3. Because the core area is meant for strict protection, even non-destructive scientific monitoring is excluded from it.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding biosphere reserves and National Parks in India: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. National Parks derive their legal status from the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, whereas biosphere reserves are designated under a national programme linked to UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme.
  2. Since a biosphere reserve contains human settlements, a National Park cannot be located within its boundaries.
  3. The management objectives of a biosphere reserve explicitly include the livelihoods of communities living in and around it, which is not the primary aim of a National Park.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q3. Consider the following facts: India has 18 nationally notified biosphere reserves, of which 13 are included in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). The Cold Desert reserve was notified nationally in 2009 and included in the WNBR in 2025, while the Nilgiri reserve was notified in 1986 and included in 2000. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. In India, national notification of a biosphere reserve does not depend on the reserve first being accepted into the WNBR.
  2. The five notified reserves outside the WNBR are of lower conservation value than the thirteen within it.
  3. UNESCO admits a nationally notified reserve to the WNBR automatically once a fixed waiting period has elapsed.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1 only

Q4. Consider the following assertion: 'Inclusion of an Indian biosphere reserve in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves does not, by itself, create new legally enforceable conservation restrictions within that reserve.' Which of the statements given below support the above assertion?

  1. Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the State in which they are situated.
  2. Biosphere reserves are designated under UNESCO's intergovernmental MAB Programme rather than under a convention that binds States Parties to protect listed sites.
  3. India has the largest number of WNBR sites in South Asia.
  4. Biosphere reserves in India are funded through a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with Centre–State cost sharing.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q5. Which one of the following is a design requirement of a biosphere reserve in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves but not of a natural World Heritage Site?

  • A. Remaining under the sovereign jurisdiction of the country in which it lies
  • B. Being nominated for listing by the national government of the country concerned
  • C. A zoned layout that includes an area for settlements and sustainable use
  • D. Recognition through a decision taken within a UNESCO intergovernmental body

Q6. With reference to the funding of biosphere reserves in India under the 'Biodiversity Conservation' scheme, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Because the scheme requires a State share, a State's fiscal capacity can influence how much of a reserve's approved management plan is actually executed.
  2. Kerala qualifies for the 90:10 Centre–State sharing pattern for its Western Ghats reserves because those reserves lie in hilly terrain.
  3. Central funds reach the reserves as grants-in-aid to States for activities in the management plan, with State Forest Departments carrying out the work.
  4. Because the Union and the States share its cost and the States implement it, the scheme is classified as Centrally Sponsored rather than Central Sector.
  • A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q7. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Under the 'Biodiversity Conservation' scheme, Himachal Pradesh bears a smaller share of the cost of activities in the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve than Madhya Pradesh bears for the Panna Biosphere Reserve.
  2. The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is India's first high-altitude cold-desert biosphere reserve in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
  • 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

Q8. Applying the levels of biodiversity recognised under the Convention on Biological Diversity, consider the following statements about conservation in biosphere reserves: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A biosphere reserve in which farmers maintain many traditional landraces of rice conserves biodiversity at the genetic level.
  2. A biosphere reserve spanning alpine meadows, cold-desert scrub and high-altitude lakes contributes to ecosystem diversity.
  3. Two regions with the same number of species can still differ in their ecosystem diversity.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3