UPSC Civil Services 2020 Prelims General Studies Paper I

Himalayan musk deer occurs in parts of northern Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and in northern India such as in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. It inhabits high alpine environments above altitudes of 2,500 m.

● Established in 1986, the Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary was created in order to protect the endangered Musk Deer and its habitat. The sanctuary is located at Askot, which is a small hamlet situated some 54 kms from the Pithoragarh town in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. Statement 1 is correct.

● One of the famous high-altitude Wildlife Sanctuaries India, the Gangotri National Park is idyllically situated in the natural surroundings of Uttarakhand. To date, 15 mammal species and 150 bird species have been documented in the park, including musk deer. Statement 2 is correct.

● The Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve near Mailani in Uttar Pradesh, India. Hence Statement 3 is incorrect.

● Manas National Park or Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a national park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Assam, India. Hence statement 4 is incorrect.