Previous Year Question
With reference to an organisation known as ‘Bird Life International’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organisations.
The concept of ‘biodiversity hotspots’ originated from this organisation.
It identifies the sites known/referred to as ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Only 1
2 and 3
1 and 3
All of these
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
BirdLife International is a global partnership of organizations working for the conservation of birds, their habitats and global biodiversity. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.
It is neither a government institution of a particular country nor an intergovernmental organization.
The organization was established in 1922 as the ‘International Council for Bird Preservation’.
It was renamed BirdLife International in 1993.
Its global secretariat is located in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
It conducts conservation programmes through its national partner organizations in different countries.
The concept of ‘biodiversity hotspots’ was introduced by British ecologist Norman Myers in 1988.
The concept was subsequently developed and expanded by Conservation International; it did not originate from BirdLife International. Therefore, Statement 2 is not correct.
BirdLife International identifies ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.
These areas are identified on the basis of globally threatened, restricted-range or congregatory bird species.
They were earlier mainly called ‘Important Bird Areas’; the term ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’ is now used.
The IBA network assists in the identification, monitoring and conservation of sites important for birds and other biodiversity.
BirdLife International is also the official Red List Authority for birds for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Its conservation approach combines scientific research, participation of local communities and habitat protection.