Which of the following is NOT a part of ex situ conservation?

The correct answer is Option (2) → Sacred groves

In ex situ (off site) conservation, threatened plants and animals are taken out of their natural habitat and protected in special settings. In in situ (on site) conservation, they are protected in their natural habitat, along with the whole ecosystem.

Option (1) Botanical gardens — Ex situ conservation. Plants are grown and cared for in gardens, away from their natural habitat.

Option (2) Sacred groves — Not ex situ conservation. Sacred groves are tracts of forest set aside by local communities, where all the trees and wildlife are given total protection. The plants and animals stay in their own habitat, so this is in situ conservation.

Option (3) Wildlife safari parks — Ex situ conservation. Like zoological parks, safari parks keep threatened animals in special settings where they get special care.

Option (4) Seed banks — Ex situ conservation. Seeds of different genetic strains of commercially important plants are kept for long periods, outside the natural habitat.

NCERT Extract:
How Do We Conserve Biodiversity? – “… 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. … 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. … Seeds of different genetic strains of commercially important plants can be kept for long periods in seed banks.”