UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 37
With reference to 'dugong', a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It is a herbivorous marine animal.
- It is found along the entire coast of India.
- It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C
Explanation: Dugongs are seagrass-grazing marine mammals found in selected Indian coastal waters, not along every stretch of the coast. They received Schedule I legal protection.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Correct - Dugongs eat seagrass and are herbivorous marine mammals.
Statement/Item 2: Incorrect - Their range is patchy, including the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch and Andaman–Nicobar waters.
Statement/Item 3: Correct - In the 2015 law context, dugong was listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 2; omits correct statement/item 3.
B: Incorrect - includes incorrect statement/item 2; omits correct statement/items 1, 3.
C: Correct - includes all and only the correct items.
D: Incorrect - omits correct statement/item 1.
Review Note: Use the 2015 Wildlife (Protection) Act schedule context; schedule numbering changed under the 2022 amendment.