Q101. A foreign pharmaceutical company wants to use a medicinal plant native to the Western Ghats to develop a new drug. Under CBD principles, which principle mandates that the company must share profits with India?
Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development: RAS Prelims MCQs
179 RAS Prelims MCQs on biodiversity, conservation of natural resources and sustainable development cover the levels of biodiversity, hotspots, conservation bodies, wildlife law and climate instruments. Alpha diversity, Norman Myers, the IUCN Red List, the Wildlife Amendment Act 2022, the CBD protocols and carbon market ideas like cap and trade and additionality are asked as facts and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 101–110 of 179 questions
Q102. The Nagoya Protocol primarily addresses which of the three main objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?
Explanation
While the CBD has three main goals, the Nagoya Protocol specifically provides a detailed legal framework for the third objective: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. By establishing clear rules on access and compliance, the protocol aims to prevent biopiracy and ensure that the providers of genetic resources receive a just share.
Q103. The Nagoya Protocol was adopted in the year 2010 in which country?
Explanation
The Nagoya Protocol was adopted on October 29, 2010, during the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD. This historic meeting took place in Nagoya, Japan. The protocol represents a major international effort to clarify the rules for accessing genetic resources and sharing the benefits derived from their use, particularly for research and commercial development purposes worldwide.
Q104. Read the following core obligations set out by the Nagoya Protocol for its contracting parties:
I. Access obligations
II. Benefit-sharing obligations
III. Compliance obligations
Which combination represents the key pillars of the Nagoya Protocol?
I. Access obligations
II. Benefit-sharing obligations
III. Compliance obligations
Which combination represents the key pillars of the Nagoya Protocol?
Explanation
The Nagoya Protocol is built upon three core pillars of obligation: access, benefit-sharing, and compliance. Access obligations require countries to create clear rules for obtaining resources. Benefit-sharing mandates that users share rewards with providers. Compliance obligations ensure that users follow the rules and that provider countries can enforce their rights. Together, these pillars create a balanced framework for international genetic exchange.
Q105. In India, which statutory body is responsible for granting approval for access to biological resources and associated traditional knowledge for commercial utilization by foreign entities under the ABS mechanism?
Explanation
In India, the National Biodiversity Authority is the statutory body established under the Biological Diversity Act of 2002. One of its primary roles is to manage the Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism. Any foreign entity wishing to access India’s biological resources or traditional knowledge for commercial utilization must obtain prior approval and enter into a formal agreement with the NBA.
Q106. Identify the correct statement regarding terms under the Nagoya Protocol.
Explanation
Prior Informed Consent is a fundamental requirement of the Nagoya Protocol, signifying that a user must obtain permission from the provider country before accessing its genetic resources. In contrast, Mutually Agreed Terms represent a negotiated agreement between both parties, not a unilateral declaration. This terminology ensures that the sovereign rights of the provider country are respected throughout the entire access process.
Q107. Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Statement I: The Nagoya Protocol requires user countries to ensure that genetic resources utilized within their jurisdiction have been accessed in accordance with Prior Informed Consent.
Statement II: The Nagoya Protocol completely ignores the rights of indigenous and local communities over their traditional knowledge.
Statement I: The Nagoya Protocol requires user countries to ensure that genetic resources utilized within their jurisdiction have been accessed in accordance with Prior Informed Consent.
Statement II: The Nagoya Protocol completely ignores the rights of indigenous and local communities over their traditional knowledge.
Explanation
The Nagoya Protocol requires user countries to implement compliance measures to ensure that genetic resources used within their borders were accessed through Prior Informed Consent. Contrary to the second statement, the protocol explicitly addresses the rights of indigenous and local communities, mandating that their traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources must also be subject to benefit-sharing and consent requirements.
Q108. Which of the following is the most appropriate description of how traditional knowledge is treated under the Nagoya Protocol?
Explanation
Under the Nagoya Protocol, traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources is treated with significant legal protection. It is not considered public domain for free commercial use. Instead, the protocol mandates that access to such knowledge held by indigenous and local communities must be granted only with their prior informed consent and based on mutually agreed terms for sharing the benefits fairly.
Q109. The strict implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms under the Nagoya Protocol is primarily a direct response to combat:
Explanation
Biopiracy occurs when researchers or companies use biological resources or traditional knowledge without official permission or fair compensation to the source country or community. The strict implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing mechanisms under the Nagoya Protocol is a direct international response to this problem. By creating legal obligations, the protocol helps ensure that the benefits of nature are shared equitably.
Q110. Find the odd one out in the context of international environmental agreements dealing with biodiversity.
Explanation
The Convention on Biological Diversity, along with its Nagoya and Cartagena Protocols, forms a cohesive international framework specifically focused on the protection and management of biological diversity. The Montreal Protocol, however, is a separate treaty designed to phase out the production of substances that deplete the ozone layer. This atmospheric focus makes it the odd one out in this specific context.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 101 | (d) Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) |
| 102 | (a) Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources. |
| 103 | (b) Japan |
| 104 | (d) I, II and III |
| 105 | (a) National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) |
| 106 | (c) Prior Informed Consent (PIC) - Permission obtained from the provider country before accessing genetic resources. |
| 107 | (a) Statement I is correct, and Statement II is incorrect. |
| 108 | (b) Access to traditional knowledge must be subject to prior informed consent. |
| 109 | (d) Biopiracy |
| 110 | (a) Montreal Protocol |
Key facts from Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
- Genetic diversity is the variation of genes and alleles within a species; alpha diversity is the diversity of species within a habitat.
- Norman Myers proposed the concept of biodiversity hotspots; the Nicobar Islands are part of the Sundaland hotspot.
- The IUCN maintains the Red List of Threatened Species; the Amazon rainforest is called the lungs of the planet.
- The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022 removed the vermin schedule; the Centre can declare vermin by notification.
- The Cartagena Protocol, Nagoya Protocol and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework belong to the CBD; the Kyoto Protocol does not.
- Cap and trade sets an emission limit and allows trade of surplus allowances; one carbon credit equals one tonne of CO₂; additionality means reductions must be real.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development?
This page has 179 practice MCQs on Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development (Health, Environment and Agriculture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who proposed the concept of biodiversity hotspots?
The ecologist Norman Myers. A hotspot is a region with a very high number of endemic species that has lost most of its original habitat, such as the Western Ghats and Sundaland.
What is cap and trade?
A mechanism that sets a limit (cap) on total emissions and issues allowances to firms. Firms that emit less than their allowance can sell the surplus to others, which gives a market price to carbon.
What does additionality mean in carbon offsets?
That the emission reductions must be real and would not have happened without the revenue from carbon credits. A project that would have gone ahead anyway does not earn credits.