RAS question
Total number of wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan is approximately:
Correct answer: (B) 26.
Rajasthan has approximately 26 wildlife sanctuaries, alongside 3 national parks and 5 tiger reserves.
Explanation
The Forest Department, Government of Rajasthan, lists protected areas under separate heads for national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Its table shows 3 national parks: Keoladeo, Ranthambore and Mukundara Hills. Under the wildlife sanctuaries section, the entries run from Band Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary to Sawai Madhopur Sanctuary and are numbered 1 to 26. Rajasthan therefore has about 26 wildlife sanctuaries, with roughly 26-27 wildlife sanctuaries alongside 3 national parks and 5 tiger reserves. The word “approximately” matters because the expected RAS recall point is the order of magnitude, not an inflated or sharply lower count.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) 50 is too high because the official Forest Department list numbers Rajasthan's wildlife sanctuaries only up to 26.
- (C) 33 is also too high; the protected-area table separates 3 national parks from the 26 wildlife sanctuaries rather than listing 33 sanctuaries.
- (D) 12 is too low because the official wildlife-sanctuary section itself contains 26 numbered entries.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan's protected-area network, a recurring RAS Geography theme because wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves are standard state-specific factual areas. The trap is usually confusing categories or choosing a broad-looking but unsupported count.