Which of the following is an example of genetic diversity?

The correct answer is Option (2) → India having more than 50,000 genetically different strains of rice.

Biodiversity exists at three main levels. Genetic diversity is variation in genes within one species. Species diversity is the variety of species in an area. Ecological diversity is the variety of ecosystems in a region.

Option (1) The Western Ghats having a greater amphibian species diversity than the Eastern Ghats. — Incorrect. Comparing the number of amphibian species in two regions is species diversity. It counts different species, not variation within one species.

Option (2) India having more than 50,000 genetically different strains of rice. — Correct. All the 50,000 strains belong to one species, rice. They differ in their genes, so this is genetic diversity.

Option (3) The existence of various ecosystems like deserts, rain forests, and coral reefs in India. — Incorrect. Deserts, rain forests and coral reefs are different ecosystems. Their variety is ecological diversity.

NCERT Extract:
Biodiversity – “… (i) Genetic diversity: A single species might show high diversity at the genetic level over its distributional range. … India has more than 50,000 genetically different strains of rice, and 1,000 varieties of mango. (ii) Species diversity: The diversity at the species level, for example, the Western Ghats have a greater amphibian species diversity than the Eastern Ghats. (iii) Ecological diversity: At the ecosystem level, India, for instance, with its deserts, rain forests, mangroves, coral reefs, wetlands, estuaries, and alpine meadows has a greater ecosystem diversity than a Scandinavian country like Norway.”