UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 46
With reference to the 'New York Declaration on Forests', which of the following statements are correct?
- It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014.
- It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests.
- It is a legally binding international declaration.
- It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities.
- India was one of the signatories at its inception.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A (1, 2 and 4)
Explanation: The 2014 New York Declaration on Forests set non-binding global goals to halt forest loss, and was endorsed by governments, companies and indigenous groups. India was not an original endorser.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Correct / qualifies - The declaration was unveiled at the UN Climate Summit in September 2014.
2. Correct / qualifies - It proposed a global timetable to halt natural forest loss.
3. Incorrect / does not qualify - It is a voluntary, non-legally-binding declaration.
4. Correct / qualifies - Endorsers included governments, major corporations and indigenous/community representatives.
5. Incorrect / does not qualify - India was not an original signatory in 2014.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Correct-selects exactly the supported statements/items: 1, 2, 4.
B. Incorrect-includes item 3, which is not valid (It is a voluntary, non-legally-binding declaration); includes item 5, which is not valid (India was not an original signatory in 2014); omits valid item 2 (It proposed a global timetable to halt natural forest loss); omits valid item 4 (Endorsers included governments, major corporations and indigenous/community representatives).
C. Incorrect-includes item 3, which is not valid (It is a voluntary, non-legally-binding declaration); omits valid item 1 (The declaration was unveiled at the UN Climate Summit in September 2014); omits valid item 2 (It proposed a global timetable to halt natural forest loss).
D. Incorrect-includes item 5, which is not valid (India was not an original signatory in 2014); omits valid item 1 (The declaration was unveiled at the UN Climate Summit in September 2014); omits valid item 4 (Endorsers included governments, major corporations and indigenous/community representatives).