Ans: C

Exp:

“Ecological Fiscal Transfer”is a  fiscal tool of revenue sharing or intergovernmental transfer for  preserving and enhancing their natural environments. In 2015 India established the world’s largest system of EFTs when its 14th Finance Commission added forest cover to the formula that determines the amount of tax revenue the Union government distributes annually to each state.This mechanism aims to encourage responsible land use, biodiversity conservation, and the promotion of sustainable practices within local communities.

Ans: A

Exp:

In-situ and Ex-situ conservation are two primary methods of biodiversity conservation.

• Ex situ conservation: involves the conservation of species outside their natural habitats, often in controlled environments.
• Methods:
  • Seed Banks: Collecting and storing seeds of plant species in seed banks to preserve genetic diversity and provide material for future restoration efforts.
  • Gene Banks: Maintaining collections of genetic material (e.g., DNA, tissues) from animals and plants in gene banks.
  • Botanical Gardens: Cultivating and maintaining living collections of plants, including endangered and rare species. Hence, Option 1 is correct
  • Cryopreservation: Freezing genetic material (e.g., sperm, eggs) for future use in breeding programs. Hence, Option 2 is correct
  • Zoos and Aquariums: Housing and breeding endangered and threatened animal species in captivity to prevent their extinction. Hence, Option 3 is correct
  • Captive Breeding Programs: Breeding and rearing endangered species in controlled environments with the goal of reintroducing them into the wild.
• In situ conservation refers to the conservation of species within their natural habitats or ecosystems.
• Methods:
  • Protected Areas: Establishing and managing protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserves where species and ecosystems are conserved in their natural settings.
  • Wildlife Corridors: Creating or maintaining corridors that connect fragmented habitats, allowing for the movement and gene flow of species.
  • Community-Based Conservation: Sacred groves, Involving local communities in conservation efforts, promoting sustainable resource use, and supporting livelihoods Hence, Option 4 is incorrect

Ans: B

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: Under the Forest Rights Act 2006, it formally recognized the rights of forest-dwelling communities, including Indigenous and tribal groups, to protect, conserve, regenerate, and manage their traditional forest resources. This legislation grants these communities legal ownership and rights over the land and resources they have historically relied upon. The Forest Rights Act is designed to empower these local communities by recognizing their historical ties to these resources and involving them in sustainable forest management practices. 

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Forest Rights Act of 2006  authorized Gram Sabha to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of community forest rights. Gram Sabha after its assessment, receives claims of the communities and consolidates and verifies these to help them exercise their rights . Gram Sabha then passes such a resolution to the sub-divisional level committee (formed by the state governments).

Ans: B

Exp:

Biodiversity, derived from “biological diversity,” encompasses the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems. It also includes the evolutionary, ecological, and even cultural processes that sustain life. This broad scope underscores the intricate interrelationships and the rich diversity that constitute our planet’s biological realm. The understanding of biodiversity goes beyond merely identifying species; it extends to appreciating the complex processes and interactions that enable life to persist over time and adapt to changing conditions.

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are designated to serve as a buffer for protected areas by acting as a transition from areas of lower protection to areas of higher protection like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, which is crucial for minimizing human-wildlife conflicts and conserving biodiversity.

Statement 2 is correct: National parks in India are notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The act provides the legal framework for the protection of wildlife and their habitats, and the designation of ESZs further augments this protection by regulating activities around these zones.

Statement 3 is correct: Gram Sabhas are empowered as statutory authorities to conserve, protect, and manage forests, wildlife, and biodiversity within traditional village boundaries over forest lands. This decentralization of authority facilitates community involvement in conservation efforts, ensuring sustainable management of natural resources.