In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply ?
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Answer: A. Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 gives the highest level of legal protection, with the heaviest penalties for offences. The tiger is also a Schedule I animal. So a tortoise listed in Schedule I enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger. Listing does not mean the species is extinct in the wild or endemic to one region.
Watch for: Watch for reading 'Schedule I' as a sign of near extinction; it is about the level of legal protection.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Wrong because Schedule I listing does not mean the species is beyond saving.
- C. Wrong because Schedule I species can be found across many regions, not just one.
- D. Wrong because both (b) and (c) are false.
Source to check: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Schedule I and Section 51; Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change website (moef.gov.in)
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.