UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 41
The "Red Data Books" published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) contain lists of
- Endemic plant and animal species present in the biodiversity hotspots.
- Threatened plant and animal species.
- Protected sites for conservation of nature and natural resources in various countries.
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B
Explanation: The IUCN Red List/Red Data Books catalogue species facing different degrees of extinction risk; they are not primarily lists of hotspots or protected sites.
Statement / Item-wise Analysis:
1: Incorrect - Incorrect: endemism alone does not place a species on the threatened-species register.
2: Correct - Correct: threatened taxa, including vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered categories, are central.
3: Incorrect - Incorrect: registers of national parks or protected areas are separate conservation databases.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes unsupported items 1, 3; omits supported item 2.
B: Correct - includes the supported statements and excludes the unsupported ones.
C: Incorrect - includes unsupported item 3.
D: Incorrect - includes unsupported item 3; omits supported item 2.