Question 84 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Environment

Question

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.

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 and 3 only

Strategy: Verify each statement's factual accuracy: confirm BirdLife's description as a global partnership, attribute 'biodiversity hotspots' to Norman Myers, and recognize BirdLife's role in designating IBAs. Eliminate the incorrect statement and select the remaining correct combination.

Key Info: **BirdLife International**

BirdLife International is a global partnership of over 100 conservation organizations dedicated to the protection of birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity. Founded in 1922 as the International Council for Bird Preservation, it is currently headquartered in Cambridge, UK.

**Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs)**
BirdLife is the authority responsible for designating IBAs, a scientifically robust network of critical sites for conservation. These areas support globally threatened species, restricted-range species, and significant congregations of birds.

**Biodiversity Hotspots**
The term 'biodiversity hotspot' originated with British ecologist Norman Myers in 1988, not with BirdLife International. Hotspots are regions with a significant reservoir of biodiversity under threat from humans.

**Global Partnerships**
In India, the BirdLife partner is the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). The organization also collaborates with global entities such as the IUCN and supports international conventions like the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3