Which one of the following is not the In situ conservation site?

The correct answer is Option (2) → Zoological parks

In situ conservation means protecting plants and animals in their natural habitat, so that the whole ecosystem is protected. Ex situ conservation means taking threatened species out of their habitat and keeping them in a special setting.

Option (1) Sacred groves — An in situ conservation site. These are tracts of forest set aside and protected for religious and cultural reasons, as in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya. All the trees and wildlife stay in their own habitat.

Option (2) Zoological parks — Not an in situ conservation site. In a zoo, animals are kept outside their natural habitat, in enclosures where they get special care. That is ex situ conservation.

Option (3) Biodiversity hotspots — An in situ conservation site. Hotspots are regions with very high species richness and many endemic species. They are protected where they are, as in the Western Ghats and the Himalaya.

Option (4) National parks — An in situ conservation site. A national park is a legally protected area of natural habitat. India has 90 national parks, along with biosphere reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 13-05-2025 (Slot 1).

NCERT Extract:
How Do We Conserve Biodiversity? – …