Which of the following is NOT a method of in situ conservation of biodiversity?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Botanical garden
Biodiversity is conserved in two ways. In in situ (on site) conservation, species are protected in their natural habitat, as in biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and sacred groves. In ex situ (off site) conservation, threatened plants and animals are taken out of their natural habitat and kept in special settings such as zoological parks, botanical gardens and wildlife safari parks.
Option (1) Wildlife sanctuary — An in situ method. A wildlife sanctuary protects animals in their natural habitat.
Option (2) Botanical garden — Not an in situ method. A botanical garden grows plants away from their natural habitat, so it is ex situ conservation.
Option (3) Sacred grove — An in situ method. Sacred groves are forest tracts protected by local religious and cultural traditions, with all their trees and wildlife left in place.
Option (4) Biosphere reserve — An in situ method. A biosphere reserve is a legally protected region where the whole ecosystem is conserved.
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 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.”
How Do We Conserve Biodiversity? – “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.”