UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:

Consider the following international agreements:

1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
3. The World Heritage Convention
   
   

Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?

Explanation:

• The objectives of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture are the conservation and sustainable use of all plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their use, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity, for sustainable agriculture and food security. So, point 1 is correct.
  
  
• The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was established in 1994, UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The UNCCD is particularly committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification and land degradation. So, point 2 is correct.
  
  
• The World Heritage Convention is also linked to biodiversity as it aims to identify and protect the world’s natural and cultural heritage. The most significant feature of the 1972 World Heritage Convention is that it links together in a single document the concepts of nature conservation and the preservation of cultural properties. The Convention recognizes the way in which people interact with nature, and the fundamental need to preserve the balance between the two. So, point 3 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Environmental Organisations and Conventions