Consider the following statements :

Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the “vermin” category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Statement-II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

The correct option is: Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

Analysis of Statement-I:
The Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus), also known as the greater Indian fruit bat, is one of the largest bats in the world. Under the original schedules of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Flying Fox was placed under Schedule V. Species listed under Schedule V were legally classified as "vermin" (animals that carry disease and destroy crops), which meant they could be hunted or culled without a license. Therefore, Statement-I is correct.

Analysis of Statement-II:
The Indian Flying Fox is frugivorous, meaning its diet consists primarily of wild and cultivated fruits (such as figs, mangoes, and bananas), flowers, nectar, and pollen. It does not feed on the blood of other animals. Bats that feed on blood are known as vampire bats (hematophagous bats), and they are native only to Central and South America. Therefore, Statement-II is incorrect.