Environment & Ecology : International Environmental Conventions
UPSC CSE Prelims 2014
1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA): This treaty aims at the conservation and sustainable use of all plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use. Its focus on plant genetic resources directly relates to the preservation of agro-biodiversity and overall biodiversity.
2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): The UNCCD addresses land degradation and desertification, particularly in drylands. By promoting sustainable land management practices and the restoration of degraded ecosystems, it contributes significantly to the conservation of biodiversity, especially in vulnerable arid and semi-arid regions.
3. The World Heritage Convention: This convention identifies and protects natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value. Many Natural World Heritage Sites are recognized for their exceptional biodiversity, including critical habitats for endangered species and unique ecosystems. The protection and management of these sites directly contribute to global biodiversity conservation efforts.
All three international agreements have a direct or indirect bearing on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not include all the international agreements listed that have a bearing on biodiversity. Each of the three conventions plays a role in addressing various aspects of biodiversity conservation and management.