Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India. Statement-II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Let's examine the statements: Statement-I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India. This statement is correct. Marsupials, a group of mammals characterized by carrying their young in a pouch (like kangaroos, koalas, opossums), are native primarily to Australia, New Guinea, and the Americas. They are not indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. Statement-II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators. This statement is incorrect. Marsupials inhabit a wide variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, deserts, and grasslands, depending on the species. They are certainly not restricted to montane grasslands and naturally face a range of predators in their native environments (e.g., dingoes, raptors, snakes). Their geographical distribution is primarily a result of evolutionary history and continental drift, not a highly specific habitat requirement or absence of predators. Therefore, Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.