Question 44 from UPSC CSE 2020 - ENVIRONME NT

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. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Manas National Park
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 and 2 only

Strategy: - Focus on musk deer's natural distribution in high-altitude Himalayan regions with cool climates.
- Identify sanctuaries within Uttarakhand (Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Gangotri National Park), as they align with the known altitude and habitat range for musk deer.
- Exclude Kishanpur and Manas, located in the plains or low hills of Uttar Pradesh and Assam, which are not suitable habitats for musk deer.
- Select only the Himalayan options.

Key Info: ## Musk Deer Overview

Musk deer (Moschus spp.) are small, solitary, and shy ungulates native to mountainous forests and alpine scrub in Central and South Asia, especially along the Himalayas. They are known for the musk gland found in males, which is used in traditional perfumes. In India, species like the Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster) and Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus) inhabit coniferous and broadleaf temperate forests at altitudes of 2,200-4,300 meters. Their populations are threatened due to poaching and habitat loss, and the musk deer is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List.

## Suitable Sanctuaries in India

*   **Askot Wildlife Sanctuary:** Located in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, this sanctuary is specifically designated for musk deer conservation in the Kumaon Himalaya. It provides suitable high-altitude birch and fir forest habitats vital for musk deer survival.
*   **Gangotri National Park:** Also in Uttarakhand, this park encompasses alpine meadows, coniferous forests, and upper Himalayan slopes, supporting populations of rare and endangered species like the musk deer, snow leopard, and Himalayan thar.

## Unsuitable Sanctuaries in India

*   **Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary:** Located in Uttar Pradesh, this is a lowland woodland and grassland area more suitable for species such as tigers, deer (chital, hog deer), and wild boar, but not musk deer.
*   **Manas National Park:** Situated in Assam, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features alluvial grasslands and mixed forests on the Brahmaputra plains and lower foothills. It is known for tigers, elephants, pygmy hog, and golden langur, but musk deer are absent due to unsuitable habitat and lower altitude.

## Other Key Regions & Conservation

Other Indian regions suitable for musk deer include Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Conservation efforts primarily center on high-altitude protected areas within Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 3 and 4 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1 and 4 only

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? Askot Wildlife Sanctuary Gangotri National Park Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary Manas National Park Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat?

Askot Wildlife Sanctuary

Gangotri National Park

Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary

Manas National Park
Select the correct answer using the code given below: