Which one of the following is NOT an example of "In Situ" biodiversity conservation efforts in India?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden is NOT an example of "In Situ" biodiversity conservation in India.
In situ conservation protects species in their natural habitats, allowing ongoing ecological processes and evolution. Examples in India include:
- National Parks (e.g., Kaziranga, Jim Corbett) — strictly protected areas for wildlife and habitats.
- Wildlife Sanctuaries (e.g., Periyar, Bharatpur) — protected natural areas with some regulated human activity.
- Biosphere Reserves (e.g., Nilgiri, Sundarbans) — large areas conserving ecosystems, often including national parks/sanctuaries and buffer zones.
In contrast, ex situ conservation involves protecting species outside their natural habitats (off-site), such as in zoos, seed banks, or botanical gardens (e.g., Indian Botanic Garden in Howrah, National Botanical Research Institute in Lucknow), where plants are cultivated in controlled environments for research, display, and preservation.