Question 1

Tamil Nadu has the second-highest number of Ramsar sites in India.

Accepted Answer

Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India, well ahead of Uttar Pradesh.

Question 2

A Community Reserve in India must be situated exclusively on government-owned land.

Accepted Answer

Community Reserves can be declared on private or community land, provided the community volunteers to conserve wildlife and its habitat.

Question 3

Consider the following statements regarding Gogabeel Lake:
1. It is an oxbow lake formed by the channels of the Ganga and Mahananda rivers.
2. It is Bihar's first and only Ramsar site.
3. It was declared a Community Reserve under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

(a) Only one — Statement 1 is correct: Gogabeel is an oxbow lake formed by the meandering of the Ganga, Mahananda, and Kankahar rivers. Statement 2 is incorrect: Kabartal (Kanwar Jheel) was Bihar's first Ramsar site, making Gogabeel the second. Statement 3 is incorrect: Community Reserves are declared under Section 36C of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, not the Wetlands Rules of 2017.

Question 4

Match List I (Wetland/Ramsar Site) with List II (State):
List I
A. Gogabeel Lake
B. Sirpur Wetland
C. Tampara Lake
D. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary

List II
1. Odisha
2. Tamil Nadu
3. Madhya Pradesh
4. Bihar

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

(a) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2 — Gogabeel Lake (A) is in Bihar (4). Sirpur Wetland (B) is in Madhya Pradesh (3). Tampara Lake (C) is in Odisha (1). Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary (D) is in Tamil Nadu (2).

Question 5

Assertion (A): The declaration of Gogabeel as a Ramsar site automatically transfers the ownership of the wetland entirely to the State Forest Department.
Reason (R): The Ramsar Convention mandates that all Wetlands of International Importance must be strictly owned and exclusively managed by the sovereign government's wildlife bodies.
Select the correct answer:

Accepted Answer

(d) Both A and R are false — Assertion (A) is false: Gogabeel is a Community Reserve situated on a mix of private ('raiyati') and government land; Ramsar designation does not alter land ownership. Reason (R) is false: The Ramsar Convention advocates for 'wise use' and community participation; it does not mandate sovereign ownership or exclusive government management of the land.

Gogabeel Lake Declared India's 94th Ramsar Site

Commissioning of INS Surat, Nilgiri, and Vaghsheer