✅ Answer: A) Jim Corbett National Park (1936)Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand was the first national park established in India in 1936 (originally called Hailey National Park). It was renamed after Jim Corbett, the famous hunter-turned-conservationist. Project Tiger was launched here in 1973. It is famous for the Bengal Tiger and is located in the Himalayan foothills.

✅ Answer: B) Asiatic LionGir National Park in Gujarat is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic Lion in the world. The Asiatic Lion population has recovered from ~20 in 1900 to ~700+ today due to conservation efforts. The Asiatic Lion is smaller than the African Lion and has a distinctive fold of skin on its belly. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

✅ Answer: C) One-horned RhinocerosKaziranga National Park in Assam is famous for the Indian One-horned Rhinoceros. It has the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos (~2,600). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is located on the banks of the Brahmaputra river. It also has significant populations of Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, and Wild Water Buffalo.

✅ Answer: A) Chilika Lake, Odisha (1981)Chilika Lake in Odisha was the first Ramsar site in India, designated in 1981. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest in the world. It is famous for migratory birds, Irrawaddy dolphins, and fishing. Keoladeo Ghana (Rajasthan) was also designated in 1981 — both were India’s first Ramsar sites.

✅ Answer: A) Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (1986)The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first biosphere reserve established in India in 1986. It covers parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It is also included in UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. It is home to the Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed Macaque, and many endemic species.

✅ Answer: C) Mangrove forestThe Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest, located in the delta of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers (shared between India and Bangladesh). It is named after the Sundari tree (Heritiera fomes). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ramsar site, and biosphere reserve. It is famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger.

✅ Answer: C) Critically EndangeredThe Great Indian Bustard is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Its population has declined to fewer than 150 individuals. It is found mainly in Rajasthan (Desert National Park). Threats include habitat loss, power line collisions, and hunting. It is India’s most endangered bird species.

✅ Answer: B) Floating islands called PhumdisLoktak Lake in Manipur is famous for its floating islands called Phumdis — heterogeneous masses of vegetation, soil, and organic matter. It is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. The Keibul Lamjao National Park (the world’s only floating national park) is located on Loktak Lake. It is home to the endangered Sangai (Manipur Brow-antlered Deer).

✅ Answer: B) 1973Project Tiger was launched in 1973 at Jim Corbett National Park. It was initiated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to protect the Bengal Tiger. The tiger population has recovered from ~1,800 (1973) to ~3,000+ (2022). India has 53 Tiger Reserves covering ~75,000 sq km. India has ~70% of the world’s wild tiger population.

✅ Answer: A) 4India has 4 biodiversity hotspots: (1) Western Ghats, (2) Eastern Himalayas, (3) Indo-Burma (NE India), and (4) Sundaland (Nicobar Islands). A biodiversity hotspot is a region with exceptional biodiversity that is under threat. There are 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world. India’s Western Ghats is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.