Which state in India is the only home to White Asiatic Tigers in the world?

Appeared in: NIA - 29 January 2023

Explanation

Madhya Pradesh is considered the original and ancestral home of the white tiger.
All white tigers in captivity around the world can trace their lineage back to a single male tiger named 'Mohan'.
Mohan was captured as a cub in the forests of Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, in 1951 by the Maharaja of Rewa.
This historical origin is why Madhya Pradesh is uniquely identified as the 'home' of the white tiger.

Option A: West Bengal is famous for the Sundarbans, which is a critical habitat for the Royal Bengal tiger (the standard orange-coated variety), not specifically white tigers.
Option B: Gujarat is renowned for being the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion, found in the Gir National Park. It is not associated with tigers.
Option C: While the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Odisha is famous for its large captive population and successful breeding program for white tigers, it is not their original wild habitat. The tigers there are descendants of the Rewa lineage.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Wildlife and Geography of India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question highlights the importance of distinguishing between a species' ancestral/native habitat and modern captive breeding locations.
Understanding the unique biodiversity and famous wildlife associated with different Indian states is a key component of general knowledge.
It underscores the role of conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs, in preserving genetic rarities like the white tiger.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question: the 'only home' of 'White Asiatic Tigers' in India.
Interpret the phrase 'only home'. In a geographical and historical context, this often refers to the place of origin or the ancestral habitat from which a specific population descends.
Evaluate the options based on general knowledge about India's wildlife distribution.
Eliminate Gujarat, as it is famous for Asiatic lions, not tigers.
Eliminate West Bengal, which is known for the Royal Bengal tigers of the Sundarbans, but not specifically white tigers.
Differentiate between the remaining options: Orissa (Odisha) and Madhya Pradesh. Recall that while Nandankanan in Odisha is a famous zoo for white tigers, the historical origin of all captive white tigers is from a single animal captured in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Wildlife and Geography of India
Stem keywords: state in India, only home, White Asiatic Tigers
Lead-in keywords: Which
Clinical cues: The care setting changes urgency, monitoring level, and the expected nursing action.

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Practise the full NIA - 29 January 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.