Institutional Measures for Environment Conservation

The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) is a global network of scientific and policy experts on invasive species, organised under the auspices of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Hence, option A is the correct answer.

Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under Section 3 (3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control development and management of groundwater resources in the country.

Central Water Commission (CWC) - Established in 1945, the CWC is a technical organization under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It focuses on water resource planning, development, and management in India, but its legal basis comes from other central government acts.

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) - While it works in close collaboration with the CGWA, the CGWB is a subordinate organization under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, established in 1970. It functions as the technical arm of the CGWA, providing hydrogeological data and technical expertise.

National Water Development Agency (NWDA) - This autonomous agency, established in 1982 under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, operates under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. It focuses on resolving interstate water resource disputes, conducting feasibility studies for water resource development projects, and planning water transfer and linking projects.

Urban Forests use the Miyawaki method to create urban forests. Miyawaki urban forests are fascinating complex ecosystems, in balance with today's soil and climate conditions. This technique works worldwide irrespective of soil and climatic conditions.


Over 2000 forests were successfully created using this method.

Doctor Akira Miyawaki, botanist and professor, is the inventor of the technique since 1980. He is a recipient of the 2006 Blue Planet Prize, which is the equivalent of a Nobel Prize in ecology.

Statement 1 is incorrect. TRAFFIC is a joint initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).TRAFFIC is not a bureau under UNEP.

Statement 2 is correct. TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organization (NGO) that works globally to monitor the trade in wild animals and plants. Its mission aligns with ensuring sustainable and legal wildlife trade that doesn't threaten conservation efforts.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) attempts to create financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development.

REDD goes beyond deforestation and forest degradation, and includes the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. REDD has the potential to simultaneously contribute to climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation, whilst also conserving biodiversity and sustaining vital ecosystem services.

Protection of biodiversity: Forests are incredibly diverse ecosystems, and protecting them through REDD initiatives helps safeguard countless species of plants and animals. Resilience of forest ecosystems: By reducing deforestation and degradation, REDD helps maintain healthy forests that can better withstand natural disturbances like droughts, floods, and pests. Poverty reduction: Many forest communities rely on forests for their livelihoods. REDD programs can provide financial incentives for sustainable forest management, creating income opportunities and alleviating poverty.

Therefore, the correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.

Statement 1 is correct. National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) is the financing, planning, implementing, monitoring, and coordinating authority for the Ganges River, functioning under the Jal Shakti Ministry.

Statement 2 is correct. The mission of the organisation is to safeguard the drainage basin which feeds water into the Ganges by protecting it from pollution or overuse. In July 2014, the NGRBA has been transferred from the Ministry of Environment and Forests to the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The Prime Minister is the chair of the Authority. Other members include the cabinet ministers of ministries that include the Ganges among their direct concerns and the chief ministers of states through which the Ganges River flows.

Statement 1 is Correct: Ceiling fans are covered under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Standards and Labeling (S&L) scheme. While they were under the voluntary labeling category for many years (including when this question was asked), they have since been moved to the mandatory category. Statement 2 is Correct: Electric geysers (specifically Storage Water Heaters) are part of the mandatory labeling program, which requires them to display star ratings based on their energy performance. Statement 3 is Correct: Tubular fluorescent lamps are also included in the mandatory labeling scheme to promote the use of energy-efficient lighting and reduce electricity consumption in households and offices.

Statement 1 is incorrect: IUCN is an independent membership organization, not a UN body. Governments, NGOs, and scientific institutions can all be members.

Statement 2 is correct: IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.

Statement 3 is correct: CITES is a legally binding international agreement for countries that have ratified it. However, each member nation implements the regulations through its own domestic laws.

Statement 1 is Correct: BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental conservation organizations (NGOs) that strives to conserve birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity. It currently consists of over 100 national partners across the world. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The concept of 'biodiversity hotspots' was originated by British biologist Norman Myers in 1988. The concept was later adopted and promoted by Conservation International (CI), not BirdLife International. Statement 3 is Correct: BirdLife International identifies, monitors, and protects a global network of sites known as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). These sites are critical for the conservation of the world's bird populations and broader biodiversity.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Earth Hour is an initiative organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Statement 2 is Correct: Earth Hour is a global movement encouraging individuals, businesses, and landmarks to switch off non-essential lights for one hour every year, typically on the last Saturday of March.

Statement 3 is Correct: This symbolic act aims to raise awareness about climate change, the need for sustainable practices, and the importance of energy conservation.

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a pan-India wildlife research organization, has been promoting the cause of nature conservation since 1883.

Statement 1 is incorrect. BNHS Vision: Premier independent scientific organization with a broad-based constituency, excelling in the conservation of threatened species and habitats.

Statement 2 is correct. BNHS Mission: Conservation of nature, primarily biological diversity through action based on research, education, and public awareness.

Statement 3 is correct. It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public.

The Gond and Korku tribes, primarily residing in the Betul and Harda districts of Madhya Pradesh, observe a month-long ecological campaign during the monsoon season. This tradition involves the large-scale planting of saplings of fruit-bearing trees and is locally known as the 'Hari Jiroti' festival. This practice highlights the deep-rooted connection between these indigenous communities and their environment, showcasing a traditional model of biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, not the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Statement 2 is correct: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006. Thus, NTCA is a statutory body. It is responsible for the implementation of Project Tiger.

Statement 3 is correct: The National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and was chaired by the Prime Minister. It aimed to plan and coordinate measures for the conservation and management of the Ganga River. (It was later replaced by the National Ganga Council in 2016.)

Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the report National Compilation on Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India, 2017 of CGWA, out of the total 6881 assessment units (Blocks/Mandals/ Talukas) in the country, 1186 units in various States (17%) have been categorized as Over-Exploited, 313 units (5%) as Critical, and 972 units (14%) as Semi-Critical.

Statement 2 is correct: The CGWA was established in 1997 under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and manage groundwater resources.

Statement 3 is correct: India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world. This is due to the country's heavy reliance on agriculture, which is predominantly rain-fed.

Therefore, the correct answer is B. 2 and 3 only.