Understanding National Parks and Their Wildlife

This question asks us to match famous National Parks in India with the specific animals for which they are best known. National parks are protected areas intended for the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. Each park often serves as a critical habitat for particular species, making them renowned for those animals.

Matching National Parks and Famous Animals

Let's look at each pairing provided in the question and determine the correct match based on the known inhabitants of these parks:

• (i) Gir National Park: Located in Gujarat, Gir National Park is world-famous as the last remaining habitat for the Asiatic Lion. Therefore, Gir National Park is strongly associated with Lions.
• (ii) Rajaji National Park: Situated in Uttarakhand, Rajaji National Park is known for its population of elephants, tigers, leopards, and various other animals. It is particularly renowned for its elephants.
• (iii) Keoladeo National Park: Formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its rich birdlife, especially during the migratory season. Among the many migratory birds, the Siberian crane was a significant visitor, making the park famous for them (though their numbers have drastically declined or they are no longer regular visitors).
• (iv) Kaziranga National Park: Located in Assam, Kaziranga National Park is renowned globally for being home to the world's largest population of the Great One-Horned Rhinoceros. It is the flagship species of Kaziranga.

Confirming the Correct Matches

Based on the associations discussed above, the correct matches are:

• (i) Gir National Park → (c) Lions
• (ii) Rajaji National Park → (d) Elephants
• (iii) Keoladeo National Park → (b) Siberian cranes
• (iv) Kaziranga National Park → (a) Rhinos

Let's represent these matches in a table for clarity:

Comparing this with the given options, we look for the option that shows i - c, ii - d, iii - b, iv - a.

Analyzing the Options

Let's check the given options against our determined correct matches:

• Option 1: i - d, ii - b, iii - c, iv - a (Incorrect)
• Option 2: i - d, ii - c, iii - a, iv - b (Incorrect)
• Option 3: i - c, ii - d, iii - b, iv - a (Matches our correct pairings)
• Option 4: i - a, ii - b, iii - c, iv - d (Incorrect)

Option 3 correctly matches Gir National Park with Lions, Rajaji National Park with Elephants, Keoladeo National Park with Siberian cranes, and Kaziranga National Park with Rhinos.

Revision Table: Key National Park Associations

Additional Information on Wildlife Conservation

National Parks play a vital role in wildlife conservation. They provide protected habitats where animal populations can thrive away from poaching and habitat destruction. Understanding the key species associated with each park helps appreciate the unique biodiversity found in different regions of India. For example:

• The conservation efforts at Gir have successfully brought back the Asiatic Lion from the brink of extinction.
• Kaziranga's focus on the one-horned rhino has made it a conservation success story.
• Keoladeo remains a crucial site for migratory birds, highlighting the importance of wetland ecosystems.
• Rajaji provides a significant habitat for the elephant population in the Shivalik range.

These parks are not just homes for iconic species but also for countless other animals, birds, reptiles, insects, and plants, representing complex ecosystems that require protection.