Q31. Which national park in India is known for its unique landscape of floating vegetation and phumdis?
a) Keibul Lamjao National Park
b) Loktak Lake
c) Chilika Lake
d) Vembanad Lake
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Correct Answer: a) Keibul Lamjao National Park
Explanation: Keibul Lamjao National Park, located in Manipur, is known for its unique landscape of floating vegetation and phumdis. It is the only floating national park in the world and is home to the endangered Sangai deer.
Q32. The Bhagwan Mahavir (Mollem) National Park is located in which Indian state?
a) Goa
b) Maharashtra
c) Gujarat
d) Rajasthan
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Correct Answer: a) Goa
Explanation: Bhagwan Mahavir (Mollem) National Park is located in Goa and is the largest national park in the state. It is known for its biodiversity and is a part of the Western Ghats, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Q33. Which national park in India is known for its population of the Indian Wild Ass?
a) Little Rann of Kutch
b) Great Rann of Kutch
c) Desert National Park
d) Ranthambore National Park
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Correct Answer: a) Little Rann of Kutch
Explanation: Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is known for its population of the Indian Wild Ass. The Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, is the only home to the endangered Indian Wild Ass. This sanctuary was established in 1973 to protect the species and is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, covering an area of 5000 square kilometers.
Q34. What major ecological threat does Keibul Lamjao National Park face?
a) Deforestation
b) Poaching
c) The construction of the Ithai Barrage
d) Climate change
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Correct Answer: c) The construction of the Ithai Barrage
Explanation: The construction of the Ithai Barrage has posed a significant ecological threat to Keibul Lamjao National Park. This construction has altered the natural water levels of Loktak Lake, preventing the phumdis from sinking during the dry season to absorb nutrients from the lakebed. This change has led to the thinning and breaking apart of phumdis, threatening the park’s unique ecosystem and the species that depend on it.
Q35. How has the local community adapted to life in and around Keibul Lamjao National Park?
a) By building floating schools and homes
b) By engaging in high-altitude farming
c) By developing eco-tourism
d) By relocating to urban areas
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Correct Answer: a) By building floating schools and homes
Explanation: The local community around Keibul Lamjao National Park has adapted to life on the lake by building floating structures, such as schools and homes, on the phumdis. This unique lifestyle is closely tied to the lake’s ecosystem, with many locals relying on fishing and the cultivation of aquatic plants for their livelihood. This adaptation showcases the intertwined relationship between the people and the natural environment of Loktak Lake.
Q36. What conservation status is given to the Sangai Deer found in Keibul Lamjao National Park?
a) Least Concern
b) Vulnerable
c) Endangered
d) Critically Endangered
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Correct Answer: c) Endangered
Explanation: The Sangai Deer, which is endemic to the state of Manipur and found in Keibul Lamjao National Park, is considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This status highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this unique species and its habitat.
Q37. What significant ecological role do the phumdis play in Loktak Lake’s ecosystem?
a) They act as a natural barrier against floods.
b) They provide a biological sink to key nutrients.
c) They serve as breeding grounds for invasive species.
d) They filter pollutants from the water.
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Correct Answer: b) They provide a biological sink to key nutrients.
Explanation: Phumdis play a crucial ecological role in Loktak Lake’s ecosystem by acting as a biological sink to key nutrients. This function is vital for the water and nutrient dynamics of the lake, supporting the diverse flora and fauna, including the endangered Sangai deer, that depend on this unique habitat.
Q38. What measures have been taken to address the loss of phumdis in Keibul Lamjao National Park?
a) Introduction of exotic plant species
b) Pinning phumdis down with poles
c) Draining parts of Loktak Lake
d) Use of chemical fertilizers to promote phumdi growth
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Correct Answer: b) Pinning phumdis down with poles
Explanation: To address the loss of phumdis in Keibul Lamjao National Park, measures such as pinning them down with poles have been implemented. This technique helps to stabilize the phumdis, allowing them to gather nutrients from the lakebed and remain part of the larger contiguous floating meadow. This conservation effort aims to preserve the park’s unique ecosystem and the species that inhabit it.
Q39. What is the primary reason for the submission of Keibul Lamjao National Park for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
a) To boost tourism
b) To gain international recognition
c) To safeguard its unique ecosystem
d) To attract foreign investment
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Correct Answer: c) To safeguard its unique ecosystem
Explanation: The primary reason for submitting Keibul Lamjao National Park for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is to safeguard its unique ecosystem. This designation would provide additional protection and recognition to the park’s distinctive floating islands and the endangered species it supports, ensuring the conservation of this irreplaceable natural heritage.
Q40. What impact has the Ithai Barrage had on the aquatic species in Loktak Lake?
a) Increased biodiversity
b) Blocked the pathway of aquatic species
c) Introduced new species to the lake
d) Improved water quality
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Correct Answer: b) Blocked the pathway of aquatic species
Explanation: The construction of the Ithai Barrage has had a detrimental impact on the aquatic species in Loktak Lake by blocking their natural pathways. This obstruction has disrupted the migration and breeding patterns of species that rely on connectivity between the lake and river systems, contributing to a loss of biodiversity and affecting the ecological balance of the area.