Rescheduling of the First International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit

* Critical Tiger Habitats (CTH), also known as core areas of tiger reserves, are identified under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 based on scientific evidence that such areas are required to be kept as inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation. * Among the options given, Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve has the largest area under 'Critical Tiger Habitat'. It spreads over five districts and the total area of the tiger reserve is 3,728 sq. km.

* The National Aquatic animal of India is the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica). * The Ministry of Environment and Forests notified the Ganges River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal on 18th May 2010.
* The dolphin is blind and faces a severe threat from the heavy pollution and habitat destruction in the waters where it lives. * It has been declared Endangered in the IUCN Red List, and it is assumed that fewer than 2000 individuals remain. This dolphin, called susu or susuk in India, is thought to represent the purity of the Ganga.

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture focuses on ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. This directly impacts biodiversity as it aims to protect the variety of plant species crucial for food security and ecosystem health. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification addresses land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. Desertification can significantly reduce biodiversity by destroying habitats and reducing plant and animal life. By working to combat desertification, this convention indirectly protects biodiversity. The World Heritage Convention focuses on preserving cultural and natural heritage sites. Conservation natural heritage sites may contribute to biodiversity conservation.
Thus 'D' is the correct answer.

At COP28, India chose not to sign the “Declaration on Climate and Health,” and this decision can be understood by analyzing the nature of the declaration and India’s concerns. ✅ Statement I: Correct. India did not sign the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health, unlike over 120 other countries. ❌ Statement II: Incorrect. The declaration is not legally binding; it is a voluntary political commitment. Signing it does not legally mandate countries to decarbonize their health sectors immediately. ✅Statement III: Correct. India’s concern is that rapid decarbonization of its health sector could compromise the resilience and accessibility of healthcare services, given current developmental challenges and resource constraints. Therefore, only Statement III correctly explains Statement I, while Statement II is factually wrong about the binding nature of the declaration.

Nature-based solutions involve using natural processes to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, often needing dedicated financial support. ADB launched the Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific to fund nature-based solutions for climate and environmental challenges in the region.

GEF is an independently operating financial organization. The GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. The GEF serves as a financial mechanism for five conventions, which are - Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), - UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), - and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

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.

✅ A. The European Union:
The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) is an EU legislative initiative adopted in 2024. It sets binding targets to restore ecosystems, fight climate change, and protect biodiversity across EU member states. ❌ B. The World Bank:
An international financial institution providing loans and grants; it does not enact laws like the NRL. ❌ C. OECD:
An organization promoting economic cooperation and policy coordination; it does not enact binding environmental laws such as the NRL. ❌ D. FAO:
A UN agency focused on hunger and agriculture; it does not enact regional laws like the NRL.

The correct statements about the New York Declaration on Forests are: 1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014.
2. It does endorse a global timeline to end the loss of forests, aiming for significant reduction by 2020 and ending deforestation by 2030.
4. It is endorsed by a multi-stakeholder group, including governments, companies (big and small), and indigenous communities. Incorrect statements:
3. The New York Declaration on Forests is not a legally binding international declaration. It's a voluntary political declaration.
5. The Declaration is currently endorsed by over 190 entities but it is not endorsed by India. Therefore, the correct answer is A. 1, 2, and 4.

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.