Question 1

State governments have absolute power to finalize or reduce wildlife sanctuary boundaries.

Accepted Answer

Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, altering the boundaries of a sanctuary requires formal recommendations from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). During formation, states cannot arbitrarily contradict State Wildlife Board approvals without valid statutory procedures.

Question 2

Kappatagudda is geographically a part of the Western Ghats ecosystem.

Accepted Answer

Kappatagudda is an independent hill range in the arid Gadag district of northern Karnataka, featuring dry deciduous forests, scrublands, and grasslands, completely distinct from the tropical evergreen ecosystems of the Western Ghats.

Question 3

Consider the following statements regarding the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary:
1. Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary is renowned for its tropical evergreen forests and is located in the Western Ghats.
2. The Chief Minister of the state serves as the chairperson of the State Board for Wildlife.
3. Alteration of the boundaries of a legally notified Wildlife Sanctuary can only be made on the recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife.

Accepted Answer

(b) Only two — Statement 1 is incorrect: Kappatagudda is located in the arid Gadag district of northern Karnataka and consists of dry deciduous forests and scrublands, not tropical evergreen forests. Statement 2 is correct: Under Section 6 of the WPA 1972, the Chief Minister is the Chairperson of the State Board for Wildlife. Statement 3 is correct: Section 26A(3) of the WPA 1972 mandates that no alteration of the boundaries of a sanctuary shall be made except on the recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife.

Question 4

Match List I (Protected Area) with List II (State):
List I
A. Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary
B. Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary
C. Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary
D. Bor Wildlife Sanctuary

List II
1. Maharashtra
2. Bihar
3. Karnataka
4. Rajasthan

Accepted Answer

(a) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1 — Kappatagudda is in Karnataka (Gadag district). Ramgarh Vishdhari is in Rajasthan (Bundi district) and is a notified tiger reserve. Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest in Bihar. Bor Wildlife Sanctuary is a tiger reserve located in the Wardha district of Maharashtra.

Question 5

Assertion (A): The State Government cannot unilaterally alter the boundaries of an already notified Wildlife Sanctuary without central oversight.
Reason (R): Section 26A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 states that no alteration of boundaries of a sanctuary shall be made except on the recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife.
Select the correct answer:

Accepted Answer

(a) Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A. — Both statements are correct. The Wildlife (Protection) Act strictly regulates the alteration of protected area boundaries to prevent state governments from easily giving away forest land for industrial or mining purposes. This central oversight is provided by the statutory requirement of obtaining a recommendation from the National Board for Wildlife (chaired by the Prime Minister) under Section 26A(3) of the Act.

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