With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?
1. It is spread over two districts.
2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.
3. It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Desert National Park (DNP) covers an area of roughly 3,162 sq km in Rajasthan, extending across two administrative districts: Jaisalmer (around 1,900 sq km) and Barmer (around 1,262 sq km).
Statement 2 is incorrect: Unlike many national parks, Desert National Park contains human habitations within its boundaries. There are over 70 permanent villages and traditional settlements (dhanis) inhabited by pastoral and agricultural communities residing inside the park area.
Statement 3 is correct: The park encompasses rolling sand dunes and thorny scrublands that serve as the most critical wild breeding stronghold and natural habitat for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (Godawan).
Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct — Option C.