Q. Consider the following statements.
Statement I: Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is India’s first “mixed” heritage site, recognized for both its natural biodiversity and cultural significance.
Statement II: The recent ‘Good’ rating given to the Khangchendzonga National Park by the IUCN World Heritage Outlook 2025 signifies that it is the only site in India to achieve the highest conservation status in the global review.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation:
Statement I is correct: Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 and is recognized as India’s first and only “mixed” heritage site , combining its natural value (Himalayan biodiversity) with cultural significance (Lepcha spiritual traditions).
Statement II is correct: The park was rated “Good” by the IUCN World Heritage Outlook 2025, which is the highest conservation status awarded. It emerged as “the only Indian site rated ‘Good’,” confirming this finding.
Statement II is NOT the correct explanation for Statement I: Statement I refers to the mixed heritage status (Natural + Cultural), which is UNESCO’s designation. Statement II refers to the IUCN’s conservation effectiveness rating. One does not explain the other; they are two separate facts about the park’s status.
Source: NewsOnAir
