JKSSB Wildlife Guard 2026 Paper

Explanation

• I. Restoration Target: Correct. India has increased its ambition regarding Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). While the initial target was 21 million hectares, it was raised to 26 million hectares of degraded land to be restored by 2030. This aligns with the "Bonn Challenge" and India's commitments to restore ecosystem health.

• II. Governing Convention: Incorrect. The National Action Plan to Combat Desertification is launched under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), not the UNCBD. While both are "Rio Conventions," the UNCCD is the only legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.

• III. Carbon Sink Goal: Correct. This target is part of India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The plan to combat desertification works in tandem with forestry goals to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of $CO_{2}$ equivalent by 2030.

Explanation

Deforestation removes trees and vegetation that play a key role in the hydrological (water) cycle.

• Trees absorb water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration (evaporation + plant transpiration).

• When forests are cleared, this process significantly decreases, altering local climate and moisture balance.

Explanation

I. Reduction in interception of rainfall by the tree canopy

Tree canopies intercept rainfall, reducing the direct impact of raindrops on the soil surface.
When trees are removed, rainfall hits the soil directly, loosening soil particles and increasing erosion.

✅ Correct

II. Decrease in the infiltration rate of water into the soil

Vegetation and roots improve soil structure and porosity, allowing more water to infiltrate.
After deforestation, soil becomes compacted and less porous, causing more surface runoff, which leads to erosion.

✅ Correct

III. Increase in evapotranspiration

Deforestation actually reduces evapotranspiration because fewer plants are available to release water vapor.

❌ Incorrect

IV. Loss of soil-binding root networks

Roots bind soil particles together and stabilize slopes. When vegetation is removed, soil becomes loose and easily eroded by water or wind.

✅ Correct

Explanation

• I. Highest Number of Tigers: Incorrect. According to the most recent tiger census data (Status of Tigers 2022 and subsequent updates), Madhya Pradesh holds the title of the "Tiger State" with the highest number of tigers (785). Karnataka follows in second place (563).

• II. Largest Tiger Reserve: Correct. The Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in Andhra Pradesh remains the largest tiger reserve in India by total area, spanning over 3,000 sq. km.

• III. Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Location: Incorrect. The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is located in Chhattisgarh. It was formed by merging the Guru Ghasidas National Park and the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary to become the state's 4th tiger reserve.

Explanation

The correct answer is D) Himalayan Wolf.

The International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) was launched by the Prime Minister of India in April 2023 to mark the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. The alliance specifically focuses on the conservation of the seven major big cats of the world.

The Seven Big Cats of IBCA

The alliance targets a specific group of apex predators belonging to the Panthera genus and a few others commonly classified as "big cats":

1. Tiger

2. Lion

3. Leopard

4. Snow Leopard (Choice C)

5. Cheetah

6. Jaguar (Choice A)

7. Puma (Choice B)

Explanation

I. International Tiger Day is celebrated every year on 29 July.

Correct.
International Tiger Day is observed annually on 29 July to raise awareness about tiger conservation and the need to protect tiger habitats worldwide. It was established in 2010 at the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit.

✅ Statement I is correct.

II. India is home to more than 70% of the world's wild tiger population.

India currently hosts around 75% of the global wild tiger population, making it the largest tiger-range country.

✅ Statement II is correct.

III. The initial phase of Project Tiger included the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve among 9 tiger reserves.

When Project Tiger was launched in 1973, it started with 9 tiger reserves, and Ranthambore was one of them along with reserves like Corbett, Kanha, Manas, Melghat, Palamau, Similipal, Sundarbans, and Bandipur.

✅ Statement III is correct.

IV. The Prime Minister is the chairman of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

National Tiger Conservation Authority is chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, not the Prime Minister.

❌ Statement IV is incorrect.

Explanation

Critical Wildlife Habitat (CWH)

The concept of Critical Wildlife Habitat is specifically provided under the
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (commonly called the Forest Rights Act – FRA, 2006).

Under Section 2(b) and Section 4(2) of this Act:

• Critical Wildlife Habitats are areas of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries that must be kept inviolate for wildlife conservation.

• Such areas can be notified only after scientific assessment and consultation with local forest-dwelling communities.

✅ Therefore, Statement III is correct.

Statement I

Forest Conservation Act, 1980

• This Act regulates diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.

• It focuses on central approval for forest land use change.

• It does not provide any provision for Critical Wildlife Habitats.

❌ Statement I is incorrect.

Statement II

Biological Diversity Act, 2002

• This Act establishes institutions like:

  • National Biodiversity Authority

  • State Biodiversity Boards

  • Biodiversity Management Committees

• It focuses on conservation of biodiversity and equitable benefit sharing.

• It does not mention Critical Wildlife Habitats.

❌ Statement II is incorrect.

Explanation

Statement I

Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the Chief Wildlife Warden is indeed the statutory authority in a State/UT responsible for the control, management, and maintenance of Protected Areas such as:

• National Parks

• Wildlife Sanctuaries

• Conservation Reserves

• Community Reserves

The Act specifically empowers the Chief Wildlife Warden to implement conservation measures, regulate activities, and ensure protection of wildlife within these protected areas.

✅ Therefore, Statement I is correct.

Statement II

The Hangul (Kashmir Stag) is an endangered species found mainly in Dachigam National Park in Jammu & Kashmir.

However, Article 51A(g) of the Constitution of India states:

• It is a Fundamental Duty of citizens to protect and improve the natural environment and have compassion for living creatures.

It does not impose a direct obligation on the State.

The State’s responsibility to protect wildlife and the environment actually comes from Article 48A (Directive Principles of State Policy).

❌ Therefore, Statement II is incorrect.

Explanation

In a significant conservation milestone in September 2025, the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (Himachal Pradesh) was officially designated as India's 13th site in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).

Explanation

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora regulates international trade of endangered wildlife.

Species listed in CITES Appendix I are those most threatened with extinction.

Key Rule for Appendix I

• Commercial international trade is prohibited.

• Trade is allowed only in exceptional cases such as:

  • Scientific research

  • Educational purposes

• Such trade requires both export and import permits.