✅ Answer: A) 1, 2 and 3All three pairs are correctly matched. Western Ghats: Lion-tailed macaque (endemic), Nilgiri tahr, Malabar giant squirrel. Himalayas: Snow leopard, red panda, one-horned rhino (Eastern Himalayas). Indo-Burma (Northeast India): Hoolock gibbon (India’s only ape), Sangai deer (Manipur), golden langur. Sundaland (Andaman & Nicobar): Nicobar megapode, leatherback turtle. India has 4 biodiversity hotspots out of 36 globally.

✅ Answer: A) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)India’s Biological Diversity Act 2002 was enacted to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992). It established the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) in Chennai. It requires prior approval for accessing India’s biological resources. It helps prevent biopiracy. CITES regulates international trade in endangered species. Ramsar Convention protects wetlands. Bonn Convention protects migratory species.

✅ Answer: B) ManipurThe Sangai deer (Cervus eldi eldi), also called the brow-antlered deer or dancing deer, is found only in Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur. It lives on floating islands (phumdis) in Loktak Lake. It is the state animal of Manipur. It is classified as Endangered by IUCN. Keibul Lamjao is the world’s only floating national park. The Sangai is part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

✅ Answer: A) Hoolock GibbonThe Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is India’s only ape species. It is found in Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh). It is classified as Endangered by IUCN. Gibbons are lesser apes (unlike gorillas and chimpanzees which are great apes). They are known for their loud calls and brachiation (swinging through trees). The Western Hoolock Gibbon is more common; the Eastern Hoolock Gibbon is rarer.

✅ Answer: A) International trade in wild animals and plantsCITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) regulates international trade in wild animals and plants to prevent overexploitation. It was signed in 1973 and has 183 member countries. Species are listed in 3 appendices: Appendix I (most endangered, trade banned), Appendix II (trade regulated), Appendix III (protection in specific countries). India is a member. Tiger, elephant, rhino are in Appendix I.

✅ Answer: B) 1986The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was established in 1986 as India’s first biosphere reserve. It covers parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It includes Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole, and Wayanad national parks/sanctuaries. It was recognised by UNESCO’s MAB (Man and Biosphere) Programme in 2000 — the first Indian biosphere reserve to receive UNESCO recognition. India has 18 biosphere reserves; 12 are UNESCO-recognised.

✅ Answer: A) Lion-tailed MacaqueThe Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. It is classified as Endangered by IUCN. It is found in the rainforests of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Other endemic species of Western Ghats: Nilgiri tahr, Malabar giant squirrel, Malabar large-spotted civet. Bengal Tiger is found across India. One-horned Rhinoceros is found in Assam. Snow Leopard is found in the Himalayas.

✅ Answer: B) Safe transfer, handling, and use of Living Modified Organisms (GMOs)The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000) is a supplementary agreement to the CBD that addresses the safe transfer, handling, and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs/GMOs) that may have adverse effects on biodiversity. It requires countries to assess risks before importing GMOs. The Nagoya Protocol (2010) addresses access and benefit sharing. India’s GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee) implements biosafety regulations.

✅ Answer: A) Are found only in a specific geographic area and nowhere elseEndemic species are found only in a specific geographic area and nowhere else in the world. India has about 33% of its plant species as endemic. Western Ghats has the highest endemism in India. Examples: Lion-tailed macaque (Western Ghats), Nilgiri tahr (Western Ghats), Sangai deer (Manipur), Hangul (Kashmir). Biodiversity hotspots are defined partly by their high endemism. Islands tend to have high endemism due to geographic isolation.

✅ Answer: C) ChennaiIndia’s National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It was established under the Biological Diversity Act 2002. NBA regulates access to India’s biological resources and traditional knowledge. It ensures fair sharing of benefits from the use of biological resources. State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) are established in each state. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) are at the local level. NBA requires prior approval for accessing India’s biological resources.