Conserving and safeguarding the entire ecosystem ensures the preservation of biodiversity at all levels, illustrating the principle of "saving the entire forest to protect the tiger." This approach is known as in situ (on-site) conservation. However, in certain cases where a particular animal or plant species is at risk of extinction and requires immediate intervention, ex situ (off-site) conservation becomes the preferred method. In situ conservation involves protecting the natural habitat and the various organisms that inhabit it, ensuring the continuity of their ecological processes. By preserving the ecosystem as a whole, we indirectly safeguard the survival of individual species, such as the tiger in the forest example. On the other hand, ex situ conservation focuses on taking endangered or threatened species out of their natural environment and placing them in specialized facilities, such as botanical gardens, zoos, or seed banks. This approach is essential when the species faces imminent extinction and requires immediate and dedicated efforts for their survival. These off-site facilities provide a controlled environment where proper care and breeding programs can be implemented to enhance the species' chances of survival and eventual reintroduction into the wild if possible.

Statement I : In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected as biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries.

Statement II : In ex-situ conservation threatened animals and plants are taken out from their natural habitat and placed in special setting where they can be protected and given special care.

Both statements I and II are correct.

The correct answer is Option (3) –Both statements I and II are correct.

In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected as biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries. India has also a history of religious and cultural traditions that emphasised protection of nature. In many cultures, tracts of forest were set aside, and all the trees and wildlife within were venerated and given total protection. Such sacred groves are found in Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan, Western Ghat regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra and the Sarguja, Chanda and Bastar areas of Madhya Pradesh. In Meghalaya, the sacred groves are the last refuges for a large number of rare and threatened plants.

Ex situ Conservation– In this approach, threatened animals and plants are taken out from their natural habitat and placed in special setting where they can be protected and given special care. Zoological parks, botanical gardens and wildlife safari parks serve this purpose