UPSC PracticeUPSC Practice
UPSC Notes

Challenges in Species Conservation

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Understanding the multifaceted challenges in species conservation is crucial for policymakers and administrators. It tests knowledge of ecological principles, socio-economic drivers of biodiversity loss, and the effectiveness of various conservation strategies, including community participation and data-driven approaches.

Species conservation involves protecting individual species from extinction and maintaining their populations within their natural habitats. It addresses threats like habitat loss, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and overexploitation, often requiring a multi-faceted approach including research, policy, and community engagement.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

Primary threats include agricultural expansion (especially irrigated agriculture), urbanisation, road networks, and fragmentation of open scrubland.

Data Deficiency

Lack of baseline surveys, population trends, and distribution data hinders effective conservation planning for many species.

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Traditional practices (e.g., 'fox jallikattu'), direct persecution, road kills, and disease transmission from feral animals pose significant threats.

'Edge Species' Vulnerability

Species inhabiting transitional zones between forests and human-dominated areas often fall outside protected areas, requiring inter-departmental coordination for protection.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaBiodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Tamil Nadu Forest DepartmentImplements
Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC)Researches
Salem Innovation CentreResearches and educates
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions

Quick revision

  • Habitat loss (agriculture, urbanisation) and fragmentation are key drivers of species decline.
  • Lack of baseline data and population trends impedes effective conservation efforts.
  • Human-wildlife conflict, including traditional practices, adds pressure on species.
  • 'Edge species' outside protected areas require inter-departmental and community-led efforts.
  • Awareness campaigns and task forces are crucial for local conservation success.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Factual recall

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kis...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kis...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kis...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2017Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2015Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to ‘dugong’, mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a herbivorous marine animal. 2. It is found alo...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2013Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat? 1. Tamil Nadu 2. Kerala 3. Karnataka 4. Andhra Pradesh Select the corr...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Biodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Prelims 2013· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat? 1. Tamil Nadu 2. Kerala 3. Karnataka 4. Andhra Pradesh Select the corr...

Open question
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Open question
Prelims 2015· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to ‘dugong’, mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a herbivorous marine animal. 2. It is found alo...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?

Open question
Prelims 2020· Factual recall

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Open question

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kis...

Open question

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Open question
Prelims 2020· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Open question

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kis...

Open question

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Open question
Prelims 2020· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on har...

Open question

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 2. Gangotri National Park 3. Kis...

Open question

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Open question
Prelims 2025· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which organization has enacted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss?

Open question

Tamil Nadu’s elusive Bengal foxes and their shrinking space

01 Jul 2026 · Species conservation faces major hurdles from habitat destruction, lack of scientific data, and human-wildlife interactions, particularly for species outside formal protected areas.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Challenges in Species Conservation

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Challenges in Species Conservation in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer
Browse all topics