1. Consider the following pairs: Site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts – Location in the State of
- Dhauli – Odisha
- Erragudi – Andhra Pradesh
- Jaugada – Madhya Pradesh
- Kalsi – Karnataka
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] Only three pairs
[D] All four pairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two pairs]
Notes:The correct answer is
[B] Only two pairs.
- Dhauli — Odisha (Correct): Located near Bhubaneswar, this site is famous for the rock-cut elephant and the edicts issued after the Kalinga War. It represents one of the two “Separate Kalinga Edicts.”
- Erragudi — Andhra Pradesh (Correct): Situated in the Kurnool district, Erragudi is a unique site because it contains a complete set of the 14 Major Rock Edicts as well as Minor Rock Edicts.
- Jaugada — Madhya Pradesh (Incorrect): Jaugada is actually located in the Ganjam district of Odisha. Like Dhauli, it contains the Separate Kalinga Edicts.
- Kalsi — Karnataka (Incorrect): Kalsi is located in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, along the banks of the Yamuna river. It is the only Major Rock Edict site in North India (excluding the Northwest frontier).
2. Which Karnataka reserve protects the Great Indian Bustard in northern plains?
[A] Guddada Budihal – Hirebidri Conservation Reserve
[B] Sirsi-Honnavara Conservation Reserve
[C] Bankapura Peacock Conservation Reserve
[D] Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Guddada Budihal – Hirebidri Conservation Reserve]
Notes:
The Guddada Budihal – Hirebidri Conservation Reserve is in Gadag and Haveri districts of Karnataka. It protects the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard by conserving dry grassland habitats essential for the species. This area is one of the few remaining habitats for the bird in Karnataka’s northern semi-arid plains. Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary was earlier a habitat but current conservation focuses here to prevent extinction. The reserve addresses threats like habitat loss and power line collisions which endanger the bustard.
3. Consider the following pairings of Rivers and Protected Areas they flow through in Karnataka:
- Kabini River : Nagarhole National Park
- Bhadra River : Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kali River : Anshi National Park
- Cauvery River : Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only one pair
[B] Only two pairs
[C] Only three pairs
[D] All four pairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only three pairs]
Notes:
The pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched: Kabini forms the boundary of Nagarhole; Bhadra flows through Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary; Kali bisects Anshi (now Kali Tiger Reserve). The fourth pair is incorrect as the Cauvery River flows through Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, not Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the origin of the Laxman Tirtha tributary.
4. Which of the following wetlands in Karnataka have been designated as Ramsar Sites?
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
- Aghanashini Estuary
- Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve
- Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 1, 2 and 4
[C] Only 3 and 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 and 4]
Notes:
As of 2024, Karnataka has significantly increased its Ramsar Sites. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (Mandya) was the first Ramsar Site, followed by additions like Aghanashini Estuary (Uttara Kannada), Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve (Gadag), and Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve (Vijayanagara), protecting vital migratory bird flyways and wetland ecosystems.
5. Which of the following endemic species are primarily found in the evergreen forests of Karnataka?
- Lion-tailed Macaque
- Malabar Large-spotted Civet
- Nilgiri Tahr
- Indian Pangolin
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1, 2 and 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]
Notes:
The Lion-tailed Macaque and the Malabar Large-spotted Civet are flagship endemic species primarily found in the wet evergreen forests of Karnataka’s Western Ghats. While Nilgiri Tahr is endemic to the Western Ghats, it resides mainly in high-altitude grasslands in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, not Karnataka. Indian Pangolin is widespread across India and not endemic to these forests.
6. Which Karnataka National Park is known for the Shola-Grassland ecosystem?
[A] Nagarhole National Park
[B] Bandipur National Park
[C] Bannerghatta National Park
[D] Kudremukh National Park
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kudremukh National Park]
Notes:
Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka contains the Shola-Grassland ecosystem, characterized by stunted evergreen trees and montane grasslands. It is the largest protected area of tropical wet evergreen type in the Western Ghats. These shola forests are relict from the last ice age and support rivers like Tunga and Bhadra. Other parks like Nagarhole and Bandipur primarily have moist and dry deciduous forests, not Shola ecosystems.
7. Which Karnataka sanctuary is dedicated to conserving the Four-horned Antelope?
[A] Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary
[B] Arabithithu Wildlife Sanctuary
[C] Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
[D] Rangayyanadurga Four-horned Antelope Sanctuary
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rangayyanadurga Four-horned Antelope Sanctuary]
Notes:
Rangayyanadurga Four-horned Antelope Sanctuary, established in 2011 in Jagalur taluk, Davanagere district, is Karnataka’s only sanctuary dedicated to conserving the Four-horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis). The area consists of dry deciduous and scrub forests, the preferred habitat of this species. The sanctuary protects the northernmost distribution of the antelope in Karnataka’s arid interior, making it unique within the state.
8. Which river basin in Karnataka has the Aghanashini Estuary, a Ramsar Site?
[A] Udupi District
[B] Uttara Kannada District
[C] Dakshina Kannada District
[D] Kodagu District
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttara Kannada District]
Notes:
The Aghanashini Estuary is located in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. It was designated as a Ramsar Site for its diverse mangrove cover and traditional salt farming. The estuary forms at the confluence of the Aghanashini River and the Arabian Sea. It supports various mangrove species and local livelihoods through fishing and bivalve collection. The Ramsar designation recognizes wetlands of international importance.
9. Consider the following protected areas in Karnataka:
- Kali Tiger Reserve
- Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kudremukh National Park
- Bannerghatta National Park
Which of the above are located within the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 1, 2 and 3
[C] 2, 3 and 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 and 4]
Notes:
All four protected areas lie within or on the edge of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Kali Tiger Reserve is located in Uttara Kannada, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary spans Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga, Kudremukh National Park is part of the central Western Ghats UNESCO World Heritage site, and Bannerghatta National Park acts as a corridor at the edge of the Western Ghats.
10. Consider the following statements regarding the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve:
- It was the first biosphere reserve in India established under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
- In Karnataka, it encompasses the Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks.
- The reserve serves as a critical corridor for the largest single population of Asian Elephants in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
Established in 1986, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was India’s first biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s MAB Programme. In Karnataka, it includes the Bandipur, Nagarhole, and BR Hills National Parks. This reserve forms the “Nilgiri Elephant Landscape,” a critical corridor enabling the movement of over 6,000 Asian elephants, the world’s largest single population, linking the Eastern and Western Ghats.
