With reference to the conservation of insects, consider the following statements: 1. Insects were not included in the Wildlife Protection Act until the amendment of 1980. 2. Dragonflies are explicitly excluded from the list of protected species. 3. Butterflies and beetles are included in the protected list. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 1 and 3 only. Explanation The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA) provides the legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants. While initially focused on larger vertebrates, the scope of the Act was subsequently expanded to include invertebrates such as insects. - Statement 1 is Correct: When the Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in 1972, it did not include insects. Insects were brought under the purview of the Act for the first time through a notification in 1980, which added several species of butterflies, moths, and beetles to the protected schedules. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: Dragonflies are not explicitly excluded from protection. Specific species of dragonflies, such as Epiophlebia laidlawi, are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, granting them the highest level of legal protection. - Statement 3 is Correct: A wide variety of butterflies (e.g., Kaiser-i-Hind) and beetles are included in the protected lists (Schedules) of the WPA. They are categorized under different schedules based on their conservation status and threat levels. Key Takeaway: The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 extends protection to insects, including specific species of butterflies, beetles, and dragonflies, which were primarily introduced into the schedules via the 1980 amendment/notification.

NCERT Class 10 Geography — Chapter 1: Forest and Wildlife Resources

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With reference to the conservation of insects, consider the following statements:

Insects were not included in the Wildlife Protection Act until the amendment of 1980.
Dragonflies are explicitly excluded from the list of protected species.
Butterflies and beetles are included in the protected list.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A2 only
B1 and 2 only
C1, 2 and 3
D1 and 3 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA) provides the legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants. While initially focused on larger vertebrates, the scope of the Act was subsequently expanded to include invertebrates such as insects.

Statement 1 is Correct: When the Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in 1972, it did not include insects. Insects were brought under the purview of the Act for the first time through a notification in 1980, which added several species of butterflies, moths, and beetles to the protected schedules.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Dragonflies are not explicitly excluded from protection. Specific species of dragonflies, such as Epiophlebia laidlawi, are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, granting them the highest level of legal protection.
Statement 3 is Correct: A wide variety of butterflies (e.g., Kaiser-i-Hind) and beetles are included in the protected lists (Schedules) of the WPA. They are categorized under different schedules based on their conservation status and threat levels.

Key Takeaway: The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 extends protection to insects, including specific species of butterflies, beetles, and dragonflies, which were primarily introduced into the schedules via the 1980 amendment/notification.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Forest and Wildlife Resources

With reference to the 'Bishnoi' community in Rajasthan, consider the following statements: 1. They are an agricultural community inhabiting the western parts of Rajasthan. 2. They consider the blackbuck to be a pest and actively hunt it. 3. They actively protect wildlife around their villages. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the 'Project Tiger' reserves: 1. Corbett National Park is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. 2. Bandhavgarh National Park is in Madhya Pradesh. 3. Manas Tiger Reserve is located in Assam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding 'Project Tiger': 1. It viewed tiger conservation solely as an effort to save an endangered species. 2. It was launched in 1973. 3. India and Nepal provide habitat to less than 10 % of the surviving tiger population in the world. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the conservation of forests and wildlife in India: 1. Conservation preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding. 2. Fisheries production is independent of the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity. 3. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972 to provide legal protection to habitats and ban hunting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

With reference to the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, consider the following statements: 1. The Act prohibited the publication of any list of protected species. 2. The primary thrust was to protect the remaining population of endangered species by banning hunting. 3. It gave full legal protection against hunting to the Indian elephant and the snow leopard in the initial 1972 draft itself. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Keep practising Chapter 1: Forest and Wildlife Resources

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The correct option is 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Statement 1 is Correct: When the Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in 1972, it did not include insects. Insects were brought under the purview of the Act for the first time through a notification in 1980, which added several species of butterflies, moths, and beetles to the protected schedules.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Dragonflies are not explicitly excluded from protection. Specific species of dragonflies, such as Epiophlebia laidlawi, are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, granting them the highest level of legal protection.
Statement 3 is Correct: A wide variety of butterflies (e.g., Kaiser-i-Hind) and beetles are included in the protected lists (Schedules) of the WPA. They are categorized under different schedules based on their conservation status and threat levels.