UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I
Question 78: Environment and Ecology
Consider the following international agreements :
- 1.The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
- 2.The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
- 3.The World Heritage Convention
Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
All three agreements bear on biodiversity. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture covers conservation and sustainable use of crop diversity and sharing of its benefits. The UN Convention to Combat Desertification tackles land degradation, which destroys habitats. The World Heritage Convention protects natural sites of outstanding value, including many rich in species.
- 1. It conserves crop genetic diversity and shares benefits.
- 2. Fighting land degradation protects habitats and species.
- 3. It protects natural sites that hold rich biodiversity.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is correct, (b) and (c) go: each of them leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Fighting land degradation protects habitats and species.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.
What you needed to know: It protects natural sites that hold rich biodiversity.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 1.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. The World Heritage Convention also protects biodiversity-rich natural sites.
- (b) Wrong. The other two agreements also affect biodiversity.
- (c) Wrong. The desertification convention also has a bearing on biodiversity.
- (d) Right. All three have a bearing on biodiversity.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.