Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Q6. Evaluate the role of species reintroduction programmes as a conservation tool. Discuss the opportunities and limitations revealed by Project Cheetah. (10) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: TH Why the question In the context of debates surrounding Project Cheetah and the broader policy discussion on the effectiveness …
Source: PIB Subject: Environment Context: The world observed World Wildlife Day on 3 March 2026 under the theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.” About Wildlife Conservation: What it is? Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting wild plant and animal species and their habitats to ensure that healthy native ecosystems are …
Context: China recalled its giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei from Japan ahead of schedule amid rising bilateral tensions, highlighting how panda diplomacy is increasingly constrained by geopolitics, nationalism, and animal-welfare controversies. About China’s Panda Diplomacy: What it is? Panda diplomacy refers to the practice by China of gifting (earlier) or long-term leasing (now) …
Source: NDTV Subject: Species in News Context: Two Bactrian camels named ‘Galwan’ and ‘Nubra’ will feature in the Republic Day Parade 2026 on Kartavya Path as part of the Army’s Animal Contingent, highlighting Ladakh’s unique cold-desert heritage. About Bactrian Camel: What it is? A double-humped camel adapted to extreme cold and arid conditions of Central …
Source: News on Air Subject: Mapping Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) to strengthen conservation in the Aravalli Range. About Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary: What it is? Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected wildlife reserve known for its dry deciduous forest ecosystem …
Source: RT Subject: Mapping Context: Kruger National Park was temporarily shut to day visitors after severe flooding caused multiple rivers to overflow due to prolonged heavy rainfall. About Kruger National Park: What it is? Kruger National Park is South Africa’s largest and oldest national park, and one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife reserves, globally famous …
Source: News on Air Subject: Mapping Context: Similipal National Park in Odisha recorded a rise in its mugger crocodile population to 84 during the three-day census, reversing a declining trend seen in recent years. About Similipal National Park: What it is? Similipal is a National Park, Tiger Reserve and Biosphere Reserve forming part of the …
Source: TOI Subject: Mapping Context: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) in January 2026 recommended restoring the original 2016 Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Bannerghatta National Park, undoing the reduced 2020 notification. About Bannerghatta National Park: What it is? Bannerghatta National Park is a protected wildlife reserve and biodiversity hotspot forming the southern green lung of …
Source: DTE Subject: Species in News Context: The Kashmir markhor, India’s rarest wild goat, is facing local extinction, with only 200–300 individuals left, mostly confined to the Kazinag range of Jammu & Kashmir. About Kashmir Markhor: What it is? The Kashmir markhor is a large, cliff-dwelling wild goat and a subspecies of the markhor (Capra …
Source: PP Subject: Mapping Context: The Bihar government has approved a revised proposal to notify Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve, which will now be sent to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for final clearance. About Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary: What it is? Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Bihar, known …
Source: DTE Subject: Species in News Context: The Supreme Court, has strengthened safeguards for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) while revising transmission alignments under the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) in Rajasthan and Gujarat. About Great Indian Bustard (GIB): What it is? The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is one of the heaviest flying …
Source: MB Subject: Environment Context: Indian wildlife conservationist Vivek Menon has been elected as the Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) for 2025–2029. He is the first Asian to head the Commission in its 75-year history, marking a major milestone for Global South leadership in biodiversity conservation. About IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC): …
Topic: Biodiversity Conservation Q5. “Species recovery without habitat integrity is conservation in appearance, not substance.” Critically examine this statement using examples from India’s animal conservation projects. Assess the long-term ecological risks associated with such approaches. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: InsightsIAS Why the question India’s recent wildlife conservation successes have revived debate on whether …
Topic: Man Animal Conflict Q6. “Human–animal conflict reflects a breakdown in coexistence rather than conservation failure”. Discuss the statement. Examine ecological and socio-economic drivers of conflict. Suggest integrated mitigation strategies. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: InsightsIAS Why the question Rising human–animal conflict in India has brought attention to the limits of protection-centric conservation and …
Source: NDTV Subject: Species in news Context: Thirty-one blackbucks died from a bacterial infection at Karnataka’s Kittur Rani Chennamma Zoo in Belagavi, prompting a high-level probe ordered by the state Forest Minister. About Blackbuck: What it is? The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is a diurnal, grassland antelope native to the Indian subcontinent, known for its distinct …
Source: News on Air Subject: Mapping Context: During President of India state visit to Botswana, the country announced the donation of eight cheetahs to India under Project Cheetah. About Botswana: What it is? Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, renowned for its democratic stability, wildlife diversity, and conservation-led development model. It gained independence …
Source: TH Subject: Species in news Context: The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) returned to spotlight after Supreme Court Justice P.S. Narasimha observed that Western-origin environmental doctrines like “inter-generational equity” are inadequate to save critically endangered species. About the Great Indian Bustard: What it is? The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is one of the heaviest flying …
Source: DH Context: The population of Nilgiri Tahr, Tamil Nadu’s state animal, recorded a 21% increase in 2025 compared to the previous year, as per a synchronized survey conducted in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. About Nilgiri Tahr Population Sees 21% Rise: What it is? A synchronized bi-annual survey to assess the population of Nilgiri Tahr …
Source: HT Context: Nearly one-ninth of Mizoram’s Phawngpui National Park was affected by forest fires that originated from a jhum cultivation site in March 2025. About Phawngpui National Park: Location: Situated in southeastern Mizoram, near the Myanmar border. Known as the Blue Mountain, it is the highest peak in the state at 2,157 metres. Covers …
