With reference to an organization known as ‘BirdLife International’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organizations. 2. The concept of ‘biodiversity hotspots’ originated from this organization. 3. It identifies the sites known/referred to as ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (c)
• BirdLife International (1922) is a global partnership of over 120 national conservation organisations — the Bombay Natural History Society is India's partner (statement 1).
• It identifies and documents Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) worldwide — over 550 in India (statement 3).
• Statement 2 is wrong: the 'biodiversity hotspot' concept was proposed by Norman Myers (1988) and developed by Conservation International.
• Hence 1 and 3 only, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 3 on IBAs is also correct.
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: hotspots came from Myers/Conservation International.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statement 2 is wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.