Which of the following is the most rational and crucial message given by the passage?
- (a) The conflict between man and wildlife cannot be resolved, no matter what efforts we make.
- (b) Safe wildlife corridors between protected areas is an essential aspect of conservation efforts. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) India needs to declare more protected areas and set up more tiger reserves.
- (d) India's National Parks and Tiger Reserves need to be professionally managed.
Why the answer is (b)
• The passage describes a tiger trekking 250 miles from Panna National Park to Pench Tiger Reserve, illustrating the need for movement between isolated habitats.
• It explicitly states that wildlife reserves act as 'islands' in a 'sea of humanity,' creating a crisis for tigers that range over a hundred miles.
• The text identifies the specific solution: 'Prey and tigers can only disperse if there are recognized corridors of land between protected areas to allow unmolested passage.'
• Therefore, the central argument is that connecting these isolated reserves via safe corridors is the crucial requirement for conservation.
• This directly supports option (b) as the most rational and crucial message derived from the text.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) The conflict between man and wildlife cannot be resolved, no matter what efforts we make.
- The passage suggests a solution (corridors) rather than stating that the conflict is unresolvable.
- (c) India needs to declare more protected areas and set up more tiger reserves.
- The passage emphasizes connecting existing reserves with corridors, not necessarily declaring more new protected areas.
- (d) India's National Parks and Tiger Reserves need to be professionally managed.
- The text focuses on habitat connectivity and dispersal, not on the professional management quality of the parks.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.