Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon – March 23, 2018

Statement 1 is incorrect.  TRAFFIC is a joint conservation programme of WWF and IUCN. TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, is the leading non-governmental organization working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

The United Nations Environment Programme is an agency of United Nations and coordinates its environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices.

Statement 2 is correct. TRAFFIC’s mission is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

TRAFFIC was established in 1976 in what remains a unique role as a global specialist, leading and supporting efforts to identify conservation challenges and support solutions linked to trade in wild animals and plants.

TRAFFIC is governed by the board of trustees of TRAFFIC International. We work particularly closely with our founding organisations, IUCN and WWF, making a critical contribution to achievement of their conservation goals through a unique partnership that complements and engages the considerable strengths of each of these two major global conservation organizations.

Statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, in Appendix I of CITES and as Endangered on IUCN Red List.

The Espoo (EIA) Convention sets out the obligations of Parties to assess the environmental impact of certain activities at an early stage of planning. It also lays down the general obligation of States to notify and consult each other on all major projects under consideration that are likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact across boundaries.

Wildlife sanctuary can be created for a particular specie,s (for e.g. grizzled giant squirrel) whereas the national park is not primarily focused on a particular species. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Any area other than area comprised with any reserve forest or the territorial waters can be notified by the State Government to constitute as a sanctuary if such area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural. or zoological significance, for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environment.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Human activities like tilling of land, collection of minor forest produce, harvesting of timber and private ownership rights are allowed in wildlife sanctuary.

Photoperiod refers to the time that a plant or animal is exposed to light in a 24-hour period. Hibernation, Breeding time and Migration of living organisms in different habitat is influenced by the Photoperiod.

Zooxanthellae are tiny plant-like organisms called zooxanthellae live in the tissues of many animals, including some corals, anemones, and jellyfish, sponges, flatworms, mollusks and foraminifera. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

These microscopic algae capture sunlight and convert it into energy, just like plants, to provide essential nutrients to the corals. In exchange, they have a place to live inside the animal’s body. But when the zooxanthellae are under stress, such as high temperatures, they will die or leave their host—a process known as bleaching. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

All of the above locations are ideal for generation of tidal energy.