UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 87 of 98

UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Bandipur Manas Sundarbans Tiger Reserves

Consider the following protected areas:

1. Bandipur

2. Bhitarkanika

3. Manas

4. Sundarbans

Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?

Show answer

Answer: B. 1, 3 and 4 only

Correct Answer: 1, 3 and 4 only

Bandipur, Manas and Sundarbans are Tiger Reserves under Project Tiger. Bhitarkanika is an important protected area, but it is not a Tiger Reserve.

1. Bandipur — Correct

Bandipur in Karnataka is a Tiger Reserve.

It was one of the original tiger reserves included under Project Tiger in 1973 and forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

2. Bhitarkanika — Incorrect

Bhitarkanika in Odisha is not a Tiger Reserve.

It is a National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary and Ramsar wetland, best known for mangroves and saltwater crocodile conservation.

3. Manas — Correct

Manas in Assam is a Tiger Reserve.

It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve and Elephant Reserve, known for rich biodiversity in the Himalayan foothills.

4. Sundarbans — Correct

Sundarbans in West Bengal is a Tiger Reserve.

It is the world’s largest mangrove forest and is famous for Royal Bengal Tigers adapted to the mangrove ecosystem.

* Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to conserve tiger populations and their habitats.

* The National Tiger Conservation Authority is the statutory body responsible for tiger conservation in India.

* Tiger Reserves have core areas for strict protection and buffer areas for regulated human activity.

* Bhitarkanika should be remembered for mangroves, Ramsar status and saltwater crocodiles, not tigers.

* Sundarbans is important for mangrove ecology, estuarine biodiversity and human-wildlife conflict issues.

Bandipur, Manas and Sundarbans are Tiger Reserves, while Bhitarkanika is not; hence the correct answer is 1, 3 and 4 only.

Related current-affairs briefs