Ans: C 

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as Bonn Convention, provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. It brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, called as the Range States. It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme.

Statement 2 is correct: The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) was hosted by India in February 2020 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The mascot for CMS COP13 was, “Gibi – The Great Indian Bustard”, it is a critically endangered species that has been accorded the highest protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.  

Statement 3 is correct: The Indian sub-continent is also a part of the major bird flyway network, i.e., the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) that covers areas between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and covers migratory waterbird species, including globally threatened species. 

• India has also launched the National Action Plan for the conservation of migratory species under the Central Asian Flyway. Knowledge Base: The theme of CMS COP13 was “Migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home.” The CMS COP 13 logo was inspired by ‘Kolam’, a traditional art form from southern India

Ans: B

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Convention on Biological Diversity was the result of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit in 1992. It aims at the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

Statement 2 is correct: The Cartagena Protocol (2000) on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living-modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology. The protocol also deals with any adverse effects of modern biotechnology on biological diversity.

Statement 3 is correct: The Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The main objective of the protocol is the access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from their utilisation.

Ans: C 

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: The National Wildlife Action Plan, 2017-31, focuses on the preservation of genetic diversity and sustainable development. The NWAP has five components. One of the main components is to strengthen and promote the integrated management of wildlife and their habitats.

Statement 2 is correct: The NWAP 2017-31, under which there are 250 projects, is India’s road map to conserve wildlife for the next 15 years. 

• The plan is woven around the agenda of the United Nations’ 15th Sustainable Developmental Goal — “Life on Land”.
• The key strategic change in the new plan is adopting a “landscape approach” in the conservation of all the wildlife — uncultivated flora (plants) and undomesticated fauna (animals) — rather than the areas where they occur.
• The plan also talks about adaptation to climate change and promoting integrated sustainable management of aquatic biodiversity in India.

Statement 3 is incorrect: It focuses on promoting ecotourism in the wildlife areas. To generate more awareness among people, nature education and participatory management have also been highlighted.

The government has also underlined an increased role of the private sector in wildlife conservation. The plan lays down that the Centre would ensure that adequate and sustained funding including Corporate Social Responsibility funds are made available for the National Wildlife Action Plan implementation.

Statement 4 is correct: The plan promotes the strengthening of wildlife research and monitoring of the development of human resources in wildlife conservation. It also focuses on enabling policies and resources for the conservation of wildlife in India.

Ans: B

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Eucalyptus is native to Australia, Tasmania, and nearby islands. In Australia, the eucalyptus are commonly known as gum trees or stringybark trees. Many species are cultivated widely throughout the temperate regions of the world as shade trees or in forestry plantations.

Statement 2 is correct: Eucalyptus plantations done as part of social forestry schemes also have adverse ecological effects. They are known to deplete the land of nutrients and tend to absorb the surface water, resulting in the drying up of water sources thereby adversely affecting people.

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: All cheetah subspecies are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, except the Northwest African and Asiatic cheetah which are critically endangered at present.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Unlike other African predators, cheetahs rarely scavenge. They are also known to eat quickly and abandon their kills once other predators are spotted, especially in areas with high densities of large carnivores. They prefer to hunt during the day when other predators are least active. 

Statement 3 is incorrect: Cheetahs boast a pair of dark-coloured curved lines running between their nose and cheeks, while leopards don’t have any unique facial markings. The cheetah’s fur is covered with round or oval-shaped spots, whereas the leopard has distinctive spots on its fur called ‘rosettes’, resembling the shape of a rose.