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Q5 (IAS/2014) Environment & Ecology › Environment Laws, Policies & Institutions (India) › Biodiversity Governance Bodies Official Key

With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements : 1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. 2. It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and public awareness. 3. It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research.[1] This clearly indicates that statement 1 is incorrect – BNHS is an NGO, not an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. However, it has been designated as a 'Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation' by the Department of Science and Technology.[2]

Statement 2 is correct. It strives to conserve nature through action based research, education and public awareness.[4]

Statement 3 is also correct. BNHS organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public.[5]

Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making option C the right answer.

Sources
  1. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_Natural_History_Society
  2. [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_Natural_History_Society
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PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements : 1. It is an autonomous organization under t…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 10/10
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This is a classic 'Identity Swap' question. UPSC tests if you can distinguish between a Government Statutory Body (like NBA, CZA) and a premier NGO (like BNHS). The key is not memorizing every trail they conduct, but knowing their legal status (NGO vs Govt).

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) an autonomous organization under the Government of India's Ministry of Environment and Forests?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) ... is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly describes BNHS as a non-governmental organisation, which contradicts being an autonomous body under a government ministry.
  • Identifies BNHS's role in conservation and research as an independent NGO rather than a ministry-controlled entity.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"BNHS ... has been designated as a 'Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation' by the Department of Science and Technology."
Why this source?
  • Notes institutional designations (e.g., SIRO by DST) and partnerships, indicating BNHS operates as an independent organisation.
  • No statement linking BNHS as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests is present; instead shows external recognition.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a pan-India wildlife research organization, has been promoting the cause of nature conservation since 1883."
Why this source?
  • BNHS describes itself as a 'pan-India wildlife research organization', consistent with an independent research NGO identity.
  • The official site framing supports the interpretation that BNHS is not presented as a government autonomous body under the Ministry.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > FOREST CONSERVATION > p. 40
Strength: 5/5
“forest should not be treated as a perennial resource and a source of revenue only. The planning and conservation of forests is not only the duty of the government, but also all the citizens of the country. (xx) There should be special audio-visual programmes, demonstrations, seminars and workshops to develop awareness among the people about the social relevance of forests. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) was created in 1987 under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The following forestry research institutes are working under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and education (Fig.”
Why relevant

Gives a clear example (ICFRE) of a research council/institute explicitly created under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, illustrating the kind of bodies that are 'under the Ministry'.

How to extend

A student could compare BNHS's founding/administrative status with ICFRE (e.g., government creation, statutory body vs independent society) to judge whether BNHS is similarly 'under the Ministry'.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 12: Indian Industry > NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (NPC) > p. 401
Strength: 4/5
“• NPC is a national-level organization set up in 1958 to promote productivity culture in India. • The NPC comes under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry. • It is an autonomous, multipartite, non-profit organization and has been registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.”
Why relevant

Shows the pattern that some national organisations operate as autonomous societies but are described as 'coming under' a specific ministry (NPC under DPIIT).

How to extend

Use this pattern to check whether BNHS is registered as an autonomous society and whether any ministry is formally listed as its administrative sponsor.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 16: Conservation Efforts > Partners > p. 238
Strength: 4/5
“• Bird Conservation Nepal, Bombay Natural History Society (India), International Centre for Birds of Prey (UK), National Trust for Nature Conservation (Nepal), Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK) • Asia's first 'Gyps Vulture Reintroduction Programme' launched at Pinjore. Two Himalayan Griffons were released into the wild from the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore”
Why relevant

Lists Bombay Natural History Society alongside NGOs and international partners in conservation activities, suggesting BNHS functions as a partner/NGO rather than a government-created institute.

How to extend

A student could take this as a clue that BNHS is likely an independent NGO and then verify BNHS's legal/organizational form (e.g., society/NGO) to test whether it is under the Ministry.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 27: Environmental Organizations > 7.6. TryIL$tIFE TRUST OF INDTA > p. 385
Strength: 3/5
“?7.6. TryIL$tIFE TRUST OF INDTA I NGO founded: rgg8 ffi& gl{ANl<r\|2 ffi IASACADEMY • Aim: To conserve nature, especially endangered species and threatened habitats, in partnership with communities and governments, • The Wildlife Trust of India (\{TI) is committed to the protection of India's wildlife; it achieves this by working in partnership with local communities and governments on a range of projects, from species rehabilitation to the prevention of the illegal wildlife trade.”
Why relevant

Describes the Wildlife Trust of India explicitly as an NGO that partners with governments, giving an example of non-government conservation organisations working with ministries.

How to extend

By analogy, check whether BNHS is described in sources as an NGO/independent trust (like WTI) or as a government-established statutory body to infer its relationship to the Ministry.

Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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