UPSC Prelims 2015 Q76: Environment & Ecology – International Environmental Treaties & Summits
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
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
BirdLife International
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organizations | Correct | Over 100 national partners; in India the partner is the Bombay Natural History Society |
| 2. The concept of 'biodiversity hotspots' originated from this organization | Incorrect | The idea came from Norman Myers in 1988 and was adopted by Conservation International |
| 3. It identifies the sites known as 'Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas' | Correct | IBAs are its best-known programme |
Key facts:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1922, as the International Council for Bird Preservation |
| Headquarters | Cambridge, United Kingdom |
| Red List role | Official authority on birds for the IUCN Red List |
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 3 is also true: it identifies Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false; biodiversity hotspots came from Norman Myers.
- (c) CORRECT. It is a global partnership and identifies Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas.
- (d) Incorrect. The hotspot concept did not originate from BirdLife International.
Key point
BirdLife International (Cambridge): global partnership; identifies Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas; Red List authority for birds. Hotspots: Norman Myers, 1988.
Remember
BirdLife = partnership + Important Bird Areas.
Common mistakes
- Crediting biodiversity hotspots to BirdLife instead of Norman Myers.
- Confusing IBAs (BirdLife) with Ramsar sites (wetland treaty).
- Forgetting the Indian partner: the Bombay Natural History Society.
Exam tip
Hotspots = Norman Myers and Conservation International. IBAs = BirdLife.
Sources
- BirdLife International — About BirdLife and Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas
- Conservation International — Biodiversity Hotspots