Question 92 from UPSC CSE 2014 - Environme nt

Question

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 biodiversity?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1, 2, and 3

Strategy: - Evaluate the biodiversity connection of each agreement:
  - The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
  - The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
  - The World Heritage Convention
- Select the inclusive option upon confirming a clear biodiversity link in all three.

Key Info: **International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)**
A global agreement under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) promoting the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. It establishes a Multilateral System for accessing plant genetic materials and sharing benefits, prioritizing crop diversity for global food security.

**United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)**
Adopted in 1994, this convention addresses land degradation and desertification, issues deeply tied to ecosystem integrity and biodiversity loss. The UNCCD facilitates sustainable land management and restoration, coordinating with other biodiversity conventions like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to recognize the ecological links between land, climate, and biodiversity.

**World Heritage Convention**
Administered by UNESCO since 1972, this convention identifies and protects cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value. Its natural heritage listings include ecosystems, protected areas (such as forests, wetlands, and coral reefs), and landscapes with significant biological diversity. Many sites are designated for their unique biodiversity, endemic species, or crucial ecological processes.

**Collective Framework**
All three instruments are part of the international framework for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, supporting global targets like the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 1 and 3 only

Consider the following international agreements: The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The World Heritage Convention. Which of the above has/have a bearing on biodiversity?

Consider the following international agreements:

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

The World Heritage Convention.
Which of the above has/have a bearing on biodiversity?