Environment · X-Factor Notes
Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserves, and Conservation (Chapter 7) revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
62 revision facts
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Most Important Strategy | The establishment of Biosphere Reserves is the most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life | I.A.S. (Pre) 2014, UPPCS (Pre) 2013 |
| Biosphere Reserve Objectives | To contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species, and genetic variations. The term was first used by Edward Suess. | U.P. Lower (Spl.) (Pre) 2004, UPPCS(Pre) 2013 |
| Biosphere Reserve Structure | Divided into three areas: Core area (strictly protected), Buffer zone, and Transition area. | N/A |
| In-situ Conservation | Conservation of a species in its original natural habitat. Examples include Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, and Wildlife Sanctuaries. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2011, U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2018, Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016 |
| Ex-situ Conservation | Conservation outside the natural habitat. Examples include Botanical Gardens (which is not an in-situ method for flora conservation), Zoological parks, and Cryo-Banks (using liquid Nitrogen for storage) | I.A.S. (Pre) 2011, U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2018, UPPCS (Mains) 2009 |
| National Parks (NP) | Boundaries are defined by legislation. Hunting and cattle grazing are completely prohibited. Local people are not allowed to collect and use biomass. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2012, I.A.S. (Pre) 2016 |
| Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) | Hunting is prohibited without permission, but limited biotic interference (like cattle grazing) is permitted. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2016 |
| Wildlife (Protection) Act | The first comprehensive legislation relating to wildlife protection, assented to on September 9, 1972. | UPPCS (Pre) 2015, 2016 |
| Environment (Protection) Act | Enacted in 1986. Eco-Sensitive Zones are mentioned under this Act. | U.P.B.E.O. (Pre) 2019, UPPCS (Pre) 2022, I.A.S. (Pre) 2014 |
| Biological Diversity Act | National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) established in 2003 in Chennai. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2012 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum NPs | Madhya Pradesh has the maximum number (11) of National Parks. | UPPCS (Pre) 2008, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004 |
| Maximum WLSs | Andaman and Nicobar Islands has the maximum number (96) of Wildlife Sanctuaries. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2008 |
| First National Park | Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), established in 1936 (as Hailey National Park). | UPPCS (Pre) 2017 |
| Largest WLS (Area) | Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary in the Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat (4953.71 km²). | U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2010 |
| Floating Vegetation Park | Keibul Lamjao National Park (Manipur) is unique due to its floating vegetation ('phumdis') on Loktak Lake. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2015, UPPCS (Pre) 2022 |
| Elephant Sanctuary | Periyar Game Sanctuary (Kerala) is famous for wild elephants. | U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2011 |
| Rhinoceros Sanctuary | Kaziranga National Park (Assam) hosts two-thirds of the world's Great One-horned rhinoceros. | UPPCS(Pre) 2012 |
| Asiatic Lion Home/Reintroduction | Gir Forest National Park (Gujarat) . Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary (MP) was selected as the reintroduction site. | |
| Gharial Habitat | Chambal River (National Chambal Sanctuary in Rajasthan, MP, UP) is the best place to find gharials. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2017, UPPCS (Pre) 2020 |
| UP Specific Sanctuaries | Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary is in Chandauli district. Katarniaghat WLS (Bahraich) was established in 1975. | UPPCS (Pre) 2023, UPPCS (Pre) 2022 |
| Largest Critical Tiger Habitat | Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (AP/Telangana). | I.A.S. (Pre.) 2020, UPPCS (Mains) 2011 |
| Eco-link between Ghats | Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is located at the meeting point of the Eastern and Western Ghats. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2017 |
| Tiger Reserve in Two States | Pench Tiger Reserve is spread over Madhya Pradesh (90%) and Maharashtra (10%). | UPPCS (Mains) Spl. 2008 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Biosphere Reserve | State(s) | UNESCO MAB Year |
| Nilgiri | Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu | 2000 |
| Gulf of Mannar (Marine NP) | Tamil Nadu | 2001 |
| Sunderban | West Bengal (Mangrove) | 2001 |
| Nanda Devi | Uttarakhand | 2004 (World Heritage Site 1988) |
| Nokrek | Meghalaya (Garo Hills) | 2009 |
| Similipal | Odisha | 2009 |
| Agasthyamalai | Kerala, Tamil Nadu | 2016 |
| Khangchendzonga | Sikkim | 2018 (UNESCO World Heritage Site Mixed status 2016) |
| Panna (18th BR) | Madhya Pradesh | 2020 (BR 2011) |
| Rann of Kachchh (15th BR) | Gujarat | Not on MAB List (Declared BR in 2008). It is the largest BR in India by area (12,454 sq. km). |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Associated Convention | Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. | UPPCS (Mains) 2008 |
| World Wetlands Day | Observed annually on February 2. | UPPCS (Pre) 2023, UPPCS (Mains) 2008 |
| Montreux Record | A register of Ramsar sites where a change in ecological character has occurred or is likely to occur due to human interference (e.g., pollution or technological development). | I.A.S. (Pre) 2010 |
| Ramsar Sites (Examples) | Chilka Lake, Keoladeo, Wuller Lake, and Loktak are all Ramsar sites. Sunderbans and Bhoj Wetland are also Ramsar sites. | UPPCS(Pre) 2013, UPPCS (Mains) 2015 |
| UP Ramsar Sites | Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch): (Bulandshahr, Hapur, Amroha, Sambhal) Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary: (Gonda) Saman Bird Sanctuary: (Mainpuri) Samaspur Bird Sanctuary: (Rae Bareli) Sandi Bird Sanctuary: (Hardoi) Sarsai Nawar Jheel: (Etawah) Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake): (Agra) Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Shahid Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary): (Unnao) Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary: (Sant Kabir Nagar) Haiderpur Wetland: (Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor) | N/A |
| Largest Inland Saline Wetland | Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan). | I.A.S. (Pre) 2009 |
| State with Largest Wetland Area | Gujarat has the largest recorded total geographical area under the category of wetlands compared to other states. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2012 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot Criteria | Hotspots must exhibit species richness, a high degree of endemism, and a severe threat perception. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2011 |
| India's Hotspots | India has four biodiversity hotspots: Western Ghats (most diverse region), Eastern Himalayas , Indo-Myanmar region, and Sundaland (Nicobar Islands are part of Sundaland). | UPPCS (Pre) 2019, UPPCS (Mains) 2012, I.A.S. (Pre) 2010, U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021 |
| Red Data Book | Published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). It contains lists of threatened plant and animal species. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2011, UPPCS(Pre) 2013, |
| Endangered Species Examples | Great Indian Bustard (highly endangered species) , Musk Deer (vulnerable), Red Panda (endangered), and Asiatic Wild Ass (near threatened). Gharial, Leatherback turtle, and Swamp deer are listed as endangered. | UPPCS (Mains) 2005, I.A.S. (Pre) 2012, I.A.S. (Pre) 2013 |
| Vulture Extinction Cause | Overuse of the painkiller drug Diclofenac Sodium given to cattle. | UPPCS (Pre) 2019 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Protected Area | State | UPPCS/Exam Year |
| Bandipur NP | Karnataka | UPPCS (Pre) 2024, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002 |
| Similipal | Odisha | UPPCS (Pre) 2024, U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2018 |
| Rajaji NP | Uttarakhand | UPPCS (Pre) 2024 |
| Pin Valley NP | Himachal Pradesh | UPPCS (Pre) 2024 |
| Nokrek | Meghalaya | UPPCS (Pre) 2024, U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2016 |
| Manas | Assam | UPPCS (Pre) 2024, UPPCS (Pre) 2013 |
| Bandhavgarh NP | Madhya Pradesh | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002 |
| Pakhui WLS / Pakke TR | Arunachal Pradesh (East Kameng district) | I.A.S. (Pre) 2018 |
| Dampa TR | Mizoram (not WB) | I.A.S. (Pre) 2014, UPPCS (Mains) 2012 |
| Buxa TR | West Bengal (Not Bihar) | UPPCS (Pre) 2003, UPPCS (Mains) 2010 |
| Valley of Flowers NP | Uttarakhand (Chamoli District) | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002, I.A.S. (Pre) 2019 |
| Chinnar WLS | Kerala (Idukki district) | UPPCS (Mains) 2005 |
| Nagarhole NP (Rajiv Gandhi NP) | Karnataka (Mysore and Coorg) | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002 |
| Chandoli National Park | Maharashtra (Satara, Kolhapur and Sangli Districts) | |
| Marine National Park | Gulf of Kutch (Jamnagar, Gujarat) | U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Re-Exam) (Pre) 2016, U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2018 |
