Sariska and Ranthambore in India are well known wildlife reserves and national parks that have been especially established for the protection and conservation of which animal?

Introduction / Context:
India has several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries dedicated to conserving particular flagship species. Sariska and Ranthambore are two famous reserves frequently mentioned in environmental studies and general knowledge exams. Knowing which animal they are primarily meant to protect helps you understand India's conservation priorities and important tiger habitats.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The reserves mentioned are Sariska and Ranthambore.
• Both are located in the state of Rajasthan in India.
• The options are Lion, Deer, Tiger, and Bear.
• We assume familiarity with India's Project Tiger and major tiger reserves.

Concept / Approach:
Sariska Tiger Reserve and Ranthambore National Park are both part of India's network of tiger reserves under Project Tiger. Their primary objective is to protect the Bengal tiger and its habitat. Although many other animals including deer, bears, and leopards live in these areas, the flagship and focus species is the tiger. Lions in India are mainly associated with Gir National Park in Gujarat, not Sariska or Ranthambore. Therefore, the correct answer is Tiger.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the location of Sariska and Ranthambore, both in Rajasthan. Step 2: Recall that both are prominent tiger reserves often mentioned in the context of Project Tiger. Step 3: Note that Sariska is officially known as Sariska Tiger Reserve and Ranthambore is also a major tiger habitat famous for tiger sightings. Step 4: Compare this with the options: lion is primarily associated with Gir, not these parks; deer and bears are present but are not the main conservation target. Step 5: Conclude that Tiger is the correct animal for which Sariska and Ranthambore are especially known and managed.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, remember that lists of Indian tiger reserves always include Sariska and Ranthambore, often with specific mention of their tiger populations and conservation challenges. News articles about tiger relocation or poaching frequently refer to these parks. In contrast, when the focus is on Asiatic lions, Gir National Park is named. This clear separation between tiger reserves and lion habitat in India confirms that Sariska and Ranthambore are primarily tiger reserves, not lion or deer reserves.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lion is wrong because the main lion population in India lives in Gir, not in these Rajasthan reserves. Deer is incorrect; although deer species like sambar and chital are common prey animals in these parks, they are not the flagship species the reserves are famous for conserving. Bear is also wrong; while sloth bears may occur in some regions, they are not the principal focus of Project Tiger reserves. Only tiger matches the specific conservation identity of both Sariska and Ranthambore.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may confuse big cat reserves or think that any large predator reserve could be for lions. Others might focus on deer because they are common and visible, forgetting that prey species are not usually the primary reason for establishing such protected areas. To avoid confusion, remember key associations: Gir with lions, and reserves like Ranthambore, Sariska, Kanha, and others with tigers. Keeping these mental links clear will help you answer multiple related GK questions quickly.

Final Answer:
The correct option is Tiger, because Sariska and Ranthambore are important tiger reserves established mainly for the protection and conservation of tigers.