UPSC Prelims 2021 Q97: Environment & Ecology – Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry
- (a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1
- (b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1
- (c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct
- (d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct
Answer: (d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct
Explanation
Hyderabad: 2020 Tree City of the World
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UNCDF and Arbor Day Foundation recognised Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World | FALSE | Tree Cities of the World programme is run by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) + Arbor Day Foundation - NOT UNCDF (United Nations Capital Development Fund). Hyderabad was recognised in February 2021 for 2020. |
| 2 | Hyderabad selected for commitment to grow and maintain urban forests | TRUE | Hyderabad met the 5 core standards: (i) Establish responsibility (Municipal Corp), (ii) Set the rules, (iii) Know what you have (tree inventory), (iv) Allocate resources, (v) Celebrate achievements. Programmes: Haritha Haram (Telangana govt afforestation), Urban Forest Parks. |
Statement 1 is WRONG (should be FAO + Arbor Day, not UNCDF). Statement 2 is CORRECT (Hyderabad's commitment to urban forests).
Answer: (d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong (UNCDF vs FAO confusion).
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is correct.
- (d) CORRECT. Statement 1 is wrong - the Tree Cities of the World programme is run by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and Arbor Day Foundation, NOT UNCDF (UN Capital Development Fund). Statement 2 is correct - Hyderabad was recognised for its commitment to urban forests (Haritha Haram programme, tree inventory, urban forest parks).
Key point
Tree Cities of the World = FAO + Arbor Day Foundation (NOT UNCDF). Hyderabad recognised in Feb 2021 (for 2020) based on 5 standards + Haritha Haram programme + urban forests. Statement 1 wrong (agency); Statement 2 correct (reason for recognition).
Remember
Statement 1 is NOT correct - Tree Cities of the World is a programme of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and Arbor Day Foundation, NOT UNCDF (United Nations Capital Development Fund). Statement 2 IS correct - Hyderabad was recognised for its commitment to grow and maintain urban forests (Haritha Haram programme). Correct answer: (d).
Common mistakes
- Confusing UNCDF (UN Capital Development Fund - finance for developing countries) with FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization).
- Not knowing Telangana's Haritha Haram is the state's flagship afforestation programme - major factor in Hyderabad's recognition.
- Missing that Mumbai and other Indian cities also received the recognition in subsequent years.
Exam tip
Tree Cities of the World: FAO + Arbor Day Foundation programme. Standards: (i) Establish responsibility, (ii) Set rules, (iii) Know your trees (inventory), (iv) Allocate resources, (v) Celebrate achievements. Indian cities recognised: Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chandigarh, others.
Sources
- FAO - Tree Cities of the World Programme Documentation
- Government of Telangana - Haritha Haram Progress Reports