Question map
The term 'M-STRIPES' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 2: Maintenance of Tiger Reserves.
M-STRIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) is a software-based monitoring tool launched by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2010. It is specifically designed to modernize the management and maintenance of tiger reserves in India.
The system comprises two primary components:
- Field App: Used by forest guards to digitize data during patrols (GPS tracks, sightings, and illegal activities).
- Desktop Module: Used by managers to analyze intensity of patrolling and ecological trends.
Other options are incorrect because:
- Option 1: Relates to Ex-situ conservation, not digital monitoring.
- Option 3: Refers to systems like NavIC.
- Option 4: Relates to infrastructure security or FASTag technology, having no connection to wildlife telemetry or tiger conservation.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Acronym in News' question. While static books cover Tiger Reserves, the specific tool 'M-STRIPES' was a Current Affairs buzzword (2016-17) related to the NTCA's push for digital monitoring. It tests the intersection of Technology and Environment.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Describes CA|TS as a set of management criteria/standards launched to set minimum standards for effective management of tiger sites.
A student could infer that other named acronyms in tiger conservation (like M-STRIPES) are likely to be similar management/monitoring frameworks and check if M-STRIPES is another standards/tool for reserves.
Explains that critical tiger habitat areas are identified using scientific/objective criteria and notified after expert consultation.
One could extend this to expect M-STRIPES to be tied to habitat zoning/management protocols used by authorities to keep areas inviolate or to guide actions within such zones.
Emphasises promoting coexistence, determining limits on scientific criteria, and that reserve boundary changes need NTCA/NBWL approval—pointing to formal management instruments.
This suggests M-STRIPES, if a formal tool, would operate within statutory management processes (e.g., for coexistence, boundary/management decisions) and could be verified against NTCA guidance.
Notes use of 'modern technology' for anti-poaching surveillance and habitat improvement in tiger recovery plans.
A student could hypothesise M-STRIPES might incorporate technology/field-surveillance protocols and then check NTCA or management guidelines for such a system.
Describes camera-trapping and identification of individual tigers by stripe patterns as part of population estimation/monitoring.
This highlights that monitoring systems are integral to tiger management; one could therefore test whether M-STRIPES is a monitoring/recording tool linking field patrols, camera traps and population data.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter (Current Affairs). Source: The Hindu / NTCA Guidelines / Standard Environment Compilations.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Application of Technology in Wildlife Conservation (Smart Patrolling & GIS).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: MIKE (Monitoring Illegal Killing of Elephants), e-Eye (Electronic Surveillance in Corbett), CaTRAT (Camera Trap Data Repository), HAWK (Hostile Activity Watch Kernel), SAWEN (South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just memorize the names of National Parks. You must track the *tools* and *protocols* used to manage them. UPSC loves 'Gov-Tech' acronyms (e.g., BHUVAN, CHAMAN, M-STRIPES).
CAITS is a standards/accreditation framework for tiger-site management and assessment (reference [3]), conceptually close to any system named M-STRIPES that would relate to management/monitoring standards.
High-yield for UPSC: links conservation policy, standards, and accreditation. Helps answer questions on how tiger reserves are assessed and improved, and connects to governance bodies like NTCA and Expert Committees. Study by comparing objectives, criteria and examples of accredited reserves.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > 16.r.5 CAITS > p. 231
Monitoring techniques such as camera trapping and DNA fingerprinting are explicitly mentioned (reference [5]), and any monitoring system (e.g., M-STRIPES) would be conceptually tied to these methods.
High-yield: connects ecology, wildlife forensic techniques and technology in conservation. Useful for questions on population estimates, anti-poaching surveillance and evidence-based management. Prepare by understanding different monitoring tools and their policy implications.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > 16.r.3. Estimation of Tiger Populations > p. 229
References describe critical tiger habitat being determined by scientific criteria and kept inviolate while considering local rights (references [1] and [4]); such habitat-management rules are central to forest management systems like M-STRIPES would address.
High-yield: ties wildlife law, habitat protection, and human rights. Enables answers on legal/administrative processes (notifications, Expert Committees, NTCA/NBWL approvals), and on balancing conservation with local livelihoods. Study statutory provisions, criteria for core zones and institutional roles.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > a) Core zone > p. 227
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > E#I N > p. 228
CaTRAT (Camera Trap Data Repository and Analysis Tool). While M-STRIPES tracks the patrol path (foot soldiers), CaTRAT is the software used to organize and analyze the millions of camera trap images for individual tiger identification.
Word Association Hack: Look at the acronym 'STRIPES'.
Option A (Fauna) is too generic.
Option C (Satellite) is unrelated to stripes.
Option D (Highways) has painted stripes, but 'M-' usually implies 'Mobile/Monitoring' in Gov schemes.
Option B (Tiger Reserves) is the only one biologically linked to 'Stripes'. Trust the literal hint.
Connects to GS-3 (Science & Tech + Internal Security): M-STRIPES uses GPS/GIS and GPRS to reduce 'human error' and 'data fudging' in patrolling, similar to how CCTNS tracks crime or how border surveillance works. It is 'Smart Governance' applied to forests.