INITIATIVES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION BY CAPFs

* Prosopis juliflora, commonly known as mesquite or thorn mimosa, frequently appears in discussions about invasive species due to its significant impact on ecosystems and biodiversity. * Originally native to Central and South America, Prosopis juliflora was introduced to various parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia for purposes like afforestation, erosion control, and fuelwood supply. * However, due to its rapid growth rate, tolerance for harsh conditions, and prolific seed production, it can become invasive. * It can outcompete native plants, disrupt ecological balances, and form dense thickets that hinder other vegetation growth. * In states like Tamil Nadu, Prosopis juliflora has been labelled an invasive species causing ecological damage. Efforts are underway to remove it from certain areas to restore native ecosystems.

Hokera Wetland - Punjab: Incorrect. The Hokera Wetland is located in Jammu and Kashmir, not Punjab. It is a significant wetland in the region. Renuka Wetland - Himachal Pradesh: Correct. The Renuka Wetland is located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It is a famous wetland in the region, particularly known for the Renuka Lake. Rudrasagar Lake - Tripura: Correct. The Rudrasagar Lake is located in Tripura. It is a large lake and a significant water body in the state. Sasthamkotta Lake - Tamil Nadu: Incorrect. The Sasthamkotta Lake is located in Kerala, not Tamil Nadu. It is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala.

Statement 1 is Correct: The National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience (NIRANTAR) is a collaborative platform under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Ecosystem Survey & Analysis is one of its four thematic verticals, and its lead institute is the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Research and Management of Ecosystem Service vertical is led by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, not the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The CZA is merely a participating institute under this vertical. Statement 3 is Correct: The Capacity Development Support vertical focuses on research, education, and capacity building. The lead institute for this vertical is the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is Correct: Madhav National Park was officially declared as India's 58th Tiger Reserve (and the 9th in Madhya Pradesh) by the Union Environment Ministry in March 2025, following a successful tiger reintroduction program that began in 2023. Statement 2 is Correct: Sakhya Sagar, a human-made reservoir created in 1918, is situated inside Madhav National Park. It was officially designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2022 and is known for its abundant marsh crocodile population and migratory waterfowl. Statement 3 is Incorrect: Madhav National Park is located entirely within the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, situated on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands. It does not share its area with Rajasthan. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Hyderabad was indeed recognized as a Tree City of the World, but not by the UNCDF and Arbor Day Foundation together.
The recognition comes from a joint program by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation. Statement 2 is correct: Hyderabad was selected as a 2020 Tree City of the World by the Arbor Day Foundation in recognition of the city's commitment to urban forestry, including growing and maintaining its urban forests. Therefore, only the second statement is correct, and the first statement is incorrect.

The Gadgil Committee Report and the Kasturirangan Committee Report both focus on the conservation of the Western Ghats, one of the world's eight "hottest" biodiversity hotspots. Gadgil Committee Report (2011) Formally known as the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) Report, this report advocated for strict environmental protection measures across the entire Western Ghats. It recommended designating the entire region as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), divided into three zones with graded levels of regulation on development activities such as mining, construction, and deforestation. The report emphasized grassroots participation and sustainable development, but its stringent recommendations faced resistance from state governments and industries. Kasturirangan Committee Report (2012) To review the Gadgil Committee’s recommendations, the High-Level Working Group (HLWG), led by Dr. Kasturirangan, was formed. This report sought a balance between conservation and development by proposing that only 37% of the Western Ghats be designated as ESA, focusing primarily on forest and uninhabited regions while allowing regulated development in other areas. It adopted a more lenient approach than the Gadgil Report, leading to criticism from environmentalists who argued that it diluted the conservation efforts. In summary, while the Gadgil Report advocated for comprehensive protection with stringent regulations, the Kasturirangan Report took a more moderate stance, allowing some developmental activities while still acknowledging the ecological importance of the Western Ghats.

✅ 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.

Biorock technology uses a low voltage electrical current to stimulate the growth of minerals on submerged structures. This creates a limestone-like material similar to that found in natural coral reefs. Biorock structures can provide a stable substrate for coral polyps to attach and grow, accelerating the restoration of degraded coral reefs. While Biorock can be used for other purposes, like creating artificial reefs for mariculture (fish farming) or promoting the growth of seacrete building materials, its application in coral reef restoration is a major area of interest.

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's Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Programme aims to identify, monitor, and protect a global network of IBAs for the conservation of the world's birds and other wildlife. Statement 2 is incorrect: The British biologist Norman Myers coined the term biodiversity hotspot in 1988 as a biogeographic region characterized both by exceptional levels of plant endemism and by serious levels of habitat loss. Statement 3 is correct: One of their key activities involves identifying and designating Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), critical sites for bird conservation that also contribute significantly to overall biodiversity.

The article states that CAPFs have planted 6,68,40,570 saplings during the last five years, which is approximately 6.68 crore.

The article explicitly mentions 'planted 6,68,40,570 saplings', '3212 Nurseries have been developed', and '1995 Gardens/Vatikas have been dedicated in the name of martyrs'. Wildlife protection patrols are not mentioned.

From Appendix A, the 'Grand Total' for Manipur is 6,485,390, which is the highest among all listed states/UTs. Nagaland is 6,116,030, Assam is 5,964,779, and Uttar Pradesh is 3,153,905.