PASSAGE
The biological wealth of our planet has been declining rapidly and the accusing finger is clearly pointing to human activities. The colonisation of tropical pacific islands by humans is said to have led to extinction of more than 2000 species of native birds. The IUCN red list documents the extinction of 784 species. Since the origin and diversification of life on earth, there were five episodes of mass extinction of species. Current species extinction rate as estimated to be 100-1000 times faster. There are four major causes called “The Evil quartet” Habitat loss, over exploitation, Alien species invasion and co-extinction. Conservation efforts are necessary to preserve biodiversity and protect endangered species and their habitats.
Identify the in-situ ways to conserve biodiversity from the following
A. Zoological parks
B. Eggs fertilised in-vitro
C. Sacred groves
D. Biosphere reserves
Choose the correct answer from the options
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → C, D only
In in situ conservation, endangered species are protected in their natural habitat, so the whole ecosystem is protected with them.
A. Zoological parks — Not in situ. Zoos keep animals away from their natural habitat, so they are ex situ.
B. Eggs fertilised in-vitro — Not in situ. In vitro fertilisation is done in the laboratory, an ex situ method.
C. Sacred groves — In situ. These forest tracts are protected where they stand, by religious tradition.
D. Biosphere reserves — In situ. Biosphere reserves legally protect whole natural areas with their species.
Note: The passage is taken from NCERT. NTA has put lines of the NCERT text together to make it. Most CUET (UG) questions come straight from NCERT, so study the book line by line, including figures and their titles.
NCERT Extract:
How Do We Conserve Biodiversity? – “… In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected as biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries. India now has 14 biosphere reserves, 90 national parks and 448 wildlife 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.”