UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 41
Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat?
- Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
- Gangotri National Park
- Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Manas National Park
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A (1 and 2 only)
Explanation: Himalayan musk deer live in alpine and subalpine forests of the high Himalaya, found in Askot and Gangotri; Kishanpur and Manas are lowland landscapes outside the normal habitat of the listed Himalayan species.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Correct - Askot Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand protects Himalayan musk deer habitat.
2. Correct - Gangotri National Park has high-elevation suitable musk deer habitat.
3. Incorrect - Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is a Terai lowland sanctuary, not typical Himalayan musk-deer habitat.
4. Incorrect - Manas National Park is in Assam’s foothills, not the specified high-altitude musk-deer range.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Correct-includes all and only valid statements/items 1, 2.
B. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 3 (Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is a Terai lowland sanctuary, not typical Himalayan musk-deer habitat); omits correct item 1 (Askot Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand protects Himalayan musk deer habitat).
C. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 3 (Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is a Terai lowland sanctuary, not typical Himalayan musk-deer habitat); includes incorrect item 4 (Manas National Park is in Assam’s foothills, not the specified high-altitude musk-deer range); omits correct item 1 (Askot Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand protects Himalayan musk deer habitat); omits correct item 2 (Gangotri National Park has high-elevation suitable musk deer habitat).
D. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 4 (Manas National Park is in Assam’s foothills, not the specified high-altitude musk-deer range); omits correct item 2 (Gangotri National Park has high-elevation suitable musk deer habitat).