Question

Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat?

1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary

2. Gangotri National Park

3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary

4. Manas National Park

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 and 4 only
4. 1 and 4 only

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 1 and 2 only

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.

• Musk deer largely can be seen in Himalayan states.
• States such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• It inhabits high alpine environments above altitudes of 2,500 m.
• Askot Wildlife Sanctuary and Gangotri National Park in Uttarakhand. Hence, 1 and 2 are correct.
• Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh and Manas National Park in Assam. Hence, 3 and 4 are not correct.

• Musk Deer
  • Musk deer is a small compact deer belonging to the family Cervidae.
  • A solitary shy animal, the musk deer lives in mountainous regions from Siberia to the Himalayas.
  • Can be seen in states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • It inhabits high alpine environments above altitudes of 2,500 m.
  • IUCN Status: Endangered.

• Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
  • The Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary has located 54 km from the town of Askot, Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand.
  • As the name suggests, the sanctuary has been set up primarily for the conservation of musk deer and its natural habitat.

• Gangotri National Park
  • Gangotri National Park is a national park in Uttarkashi District of Uttarakhand in India.
  • Various rare and endangered species like bharal or blue sheep, black bear, brown bear, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Thar, musk deer, and Snow leopard are found in the park.

• The Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary 
  • The Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve near Mailani in Uttar Pradesh, India.
  • It covers an area of 227 km² (88 sq mi) and was founded in 1972. The tiger, chital, hog deer, wild boars, otters, and many more animals find themselves a home here.

• Manas National Park 
  • 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. Located in the Himalayan foothills.