Revision summary
India’s living wealth varies by biogeographic zone: Himalaya, north-east, Western Ghats, Deccan, desert, coasts, and islands. Hotspots and farm genetic resources both count as biodiversity. The 2002 Act sets NBA, State boards, and local BMCs, plus ABS and People’s Biodiversity Registers. That mesh fights bio-piracy and records local flora and fauna beside wildlife law. Registers and ABS must be real, and EIA must read them, or the Act stays a form.
Model answer
Flow diagram
flowchart TD V[Himalaya Ghats NE desert coast islands] --> BD[Varied flora fauna] ACT[BDA 2002] --> NBA[NBA SBB BMC] ACT --> ABS[Access benefit sharing] ACT --> PBR[People's Biodiversity Registers] NBA --> BD ABS --> COM[Community conservation]
Conclusion
- Fund BMCs to monitor and restore (sacred groves, tanks, village forests), not only to fill registers.
- Speed honest ABS so communities see money and so science is not choked.
- Link heritage sites and PBRs to Environmental Impact Assessment so a road cannot skip documented biodiversity.
- Treat crop and livestock diversity (seed keeper, pastoral breed) as fauna and flora under the same care, not only tigers.
India’s biodiversity changes with mountain, desert, Ghats, Deccan, coast, and island, and with the farm as well as the forest. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helps by creating NBA–SBB–BMC, ABS, and local registers that protect flora, fauna, and knowledge. It works when those bodies are alive and tied to land-use decisions, not when they are only offices.
Quick related
Students also ask
-
Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.
Next question on this syllabus topic (2017 · Q8). View answer →
-
Does the 2002 Act replace the Wildlife (Protection) Act?
No. It adds community registers, heritage sites, and benefit-sharing. Hunting and trade in scheduled species still sit mainly under wildlife law.
-
Why do local registers matter for a tiger or a tree?
Because much flora and lesser fauna live outside national parks. A village list can stop silent loss and support a fair ABS claim.
PYQ trend
When UPSC asked this
Related PYQs from other years, newest first. Open a question to read it.
-
2019 · Q7 · GS III · 10 marks
Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyze the impact of sand mining along the Indians coasts, citing specific examples. -
2019 · Q17 · GS III · 15 marks
Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region. -
2018 · Q6 · GS III · 10 marks
What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (150 Words, 10 Marks). -
2018 · Q7 · GS III · 10 marks
What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of 'wise use' in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (150 Words, 10 Marks). -
2017 · Q8 · GS III · 10 marks
Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. -
2017 · Q17 · GS III · 15 marks
'Climate Change' is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? -
2016 · Q14 · GS III · 12 marks
Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which always attracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects. -
2016 · Q15 · GS III · 12 marks
The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
More from this topic
Q17 · UPSC Mains 2025 · GS III · 15 marks
Mineral resources are fundamental to the country's economy and these are exploited by mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard due to mining.
Environment and Conservation
Mining underpins industry but strips forest, dirties air and water, and displaces people. Open-cast coal, metal tailings, sand mining and illegal pits are the main Indian hazard types. EIA, District Mineral Foundations, scientific closure and forest rights are the legal remedies. Illegal mining needs satellite watch and police, not only a new rule. Some deposits should remain unmined where ecology and consent fail.
Q18 · UPSC Mains 2025 · GS III · 15 marks
Write a review on India's climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution intended by India been updated in 2022?
Environment and Conservation
The 2015 NDC promised a 33–35 per cent cut in emissions intensity by 2030, 40 per cent non-fossil power capacity, and a large forest sink. COP26’s Panchamrit raised the political bar, including 500 GW non-fossil, a billion-tonne cut and net zero by 2070. In August 2022 India updated the NDC to 45 per cent intensity reduction and 50 per cent non-fossil installed capacity by 2030. Per-capita equity remains India’s diplomatic line. Pledges now need coal-path honesty and real forest carbon.
Q13 · UPSC Mains 2025 · GS III · 15 marks
Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater?
Environment and Conservation
Most Indian irrigation still leans on groundwater, so a falling table is a farm and drinking-water crisis. Free farm power and paddy-wheat in the northwest are the classic drivers, with urban wells and weak licensing close behind. CGWB maps show over-exploited blocks across several States. Atal Bhujal, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, micro-irrigation and aquifer mapping are the main public replies. Without metering and crop change, recharge structures only delay the fall.
Toppers' copies
Toppers' copies for this question will be uploaded soon.