Question map
Consider the following international agreements : 1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture 2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 3. The World Heritage Convention Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?
Explanation
All three international agreements have a bearing on biodiversity.
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture has conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources as its main objectives, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity[1], directly linking it to biodiversity conservation.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification defines desertification as land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry-sub-humid areas resulting from various factors including climatic variations and human activities[2], and climate change can have adverse effects on desertification and biodiversity[3], establishing its connection to biodiversity.
The World Heritage Committee provides technical co-operation under the World Heritage Fund to safeguard the selected sites of great biodiversity importance[4], and the convention defines sites that can be considered for inscription including ancient monuments, museums, biodiversity and geological heritage[5], clearly demonstrating its bearing on biodiversity.
Therefore, all three conventions (1, 2, and 3) have a bearing on biodiversity, making option D the correct answer.
Sources- [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Legislations > IntErnatIonal trEaty on Plant gEnEtIc rESourcES For Food and agrIculturE, 2004. > p. 11
- [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > dESErtIfIcatIon or dESErtISatIon. > p. 16
- [3] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > Rio Conventinns > p. 427
- [4] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > World HerItAge sItes. > p. 37
- [5] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > 15.14. WONTO HERITAGE SITES > p. 224
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Scope & Mandate' question found in every standard Environment text (Shankar/Majid). It tests the fundamental interconnectedness of environmental treaties rather than obscure clauses. The key is recognizing that 'biodiversity' is a broad umbrella covering genes (Statement 1), ecosystems (Statement 2), and protected areas (Statement 3).
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Does the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (an international agreement) have a bearing on biodiversity?
- Statement 2: Does the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (an international agreement) have a bearing on biodiversity?
- Statement 3: Does the World Heritage Convention (an international agreement) have a bearing on biodiversity?
- Explicitly states the treaty covers all plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and 64 crops.
- Lists main objectives as conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources and fair & equitable benefit-sharing.
- Specifies the treaty works 'in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity', linking it directly to biodiversity goals.
- Summarises the three main goals relevant to biodiversity: conservation, sustainable use, and benefit-sharing.
- These goals mirror the treaty objectives, showing conceptual alignment with biodiversity policy.
- Explains that the Convention on Biological Diversity covers ecosystems, species and genetic resources.
- Provides the broader biodiversity framework to which the plant genetic resources treaty is linked.
- Explicitly groups UNCCD with UNFCCC and CBD and states the issues addressed by the three treaties are related.
- Mentions that climate change, desertification and biodiversity interact and that secretariats coordinate via a Joint Liaison Group — indicating institutional linkage and relevance to biodiversity.
- Defines desertification as causing irreversible changes to vegetation communities.
- Implied loss or alteration of vegetation communities indicates a direct impact on components of biodiversity.
- Identifies UNCCD as one of the sister conventions adopted alongside the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Earth Summit.
- Institutional co-location at Rio suggests thematic overlap and mutual relevance to biodiversity concerns.
- States the World Heritage Committee's main responsibility was to provide technical cooperation and use the World Heritage Fund to safeguard selected sites of great biodiversity importance.
- Directly links the World Heritage institutional mechanism to protection of biodiversity-rich sites.
- Describes the Convention adopted by UNESCO as providing a framework for preserving cultural treasures and natural areas.
- Specifically lists 'biodiversity' among types of heritage the Convention covers.
- Notes heritage sites are designated under the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, implying natural (including biodiversity) values are within its scope.
- Supports the view that the Convention covers natural heritage as well as cultural heritage.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hits in Shankar IAS (Chapters on International Conventions) and Majid Hussain. No current affairs required.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The 'Rio Conventions' triad (CBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD) and the broader framework of International Environmental Law.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Map the 'Biodiversity Cluster' treaties: CBD (General), CITES (Trade), CMS (Migratory Species), Ramsar (Wetlands), WHC (Natural Sites), and ITPGRFA (Agro-biodiversity). Contrast these with the 'Pollution Cluster' (Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Minamata).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not study treaties in isolation. Always ask: 'Does this treaty protect Genes, Species, or Ecosystems?' If it touches any of these three levels, it has a bearing on biodiversity.
The statement concerns the Treaty’s coverage of plant genetic resources and its conservation/use objectives, which are given explicitly in the references.
High-yield for environment/legislation questions: explains what types of resources the treaty targets and why that matters for biodiversity policy. Connects to topics on agro-biodiversity, gene banks, and policy instruments. Prepare by memorising treaty scope, objectives, and examples (e.g., crops covered) and linking to national institutions (e.g., gene banks).
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Legislations > IntErnatIonal trEaty on Plant gEnEtIc rESourcES For Food and agrIculturE, 2004. > p. 11
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 9: Indian Biodiversity Diverse Landscape > 9.3.3. Crop genetic diversity > p. 158
Multiple references state these three goals and the treaty is described as operating 'in harmony' with the CBD, showing direct conceptual overlap.
Core concept for UPSC biodiversity questions: often tested in policy and ethics contexts (access & benefit-sharing, sustainable use). Links international law to national action and treaties (Nagoya, ITPGRFA). Study by mapping objectives to specific agreements and examples of implementation.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Three main goals: > p. 391
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Legislations > Biodiversity convention, nagoya 2010 > p. 8
The treaty emphasizes fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resource use—a key mechanism linking genetic resources policy to biodiversity outcomes.
Frequently arises in questions on international agreements, biodiversity economics, and rights of countries/communities. Understanding benefit‑sharing clarifies disputes over access, biotech, and conservation incentives. Learn landmark instruments and how benefit‑sharing is operationalised (ABS frameworks).
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 5: Biodiversity and Legislations > IntErnatIonal trEaty on Plant gEnEtIc rESourcES For Food and agrIculturE, 2004. > p. 11
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > Objective > p. 392
UNCCD, UNFCCC and CBD are presented as sister conventions with coordinated secretariats, showing institutional links between land, climate and biodiversity issues.
Frequently tested: UPSC asks about international environmental conventions and their interrelationships. Understanding the trio (CBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD) helps answer questions on multilateral environmental governance and cross-cutting impacts. Prepare by memorizing the three conventions, their primary foci, and mechanisms for coordination (e.g., Joint Liaison Group).
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > Rio Conventinns > p. 427
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > 1992 "l > p. 321
The UNCCD specifically addresses desertification, land degradation and drought and links environment to sustainable land management.
High-yield for polity/environment papers: questions often focus on objectives and thematic areas of major conventions. Knowing UNCCD's DLDD mandate aids answers on land policies, sustainable management, and national action programmes. Study official convention summaries and national implementation examples.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > 28.17. UNCCD > p. 407
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > UNCCD COP r4 > p. 408
Evidence links desertification to irreversible changes in vegetation communities, indicating effects on biodiversity.
Important for environment and ecology topics: linking processes (desertification) to ecological outcomes (loss/alteration of vegetation and species) is commonly asked in mains and interviews. Learn cause–effect chains and mitigation measures (afforestation, watershed management) for application in policy questions.
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > dESErtIfIcatIon or dESErtISatIon. > p. 16
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 3: Terrestrial Ecosystems > Control measures > p. 31
References state the Convention protects cultural and natural areas and explicitly includes 'biodiversity' among inscribable site types.
High-yield for UPSC as questions often ask which international agreements protect ecological values; links UNESCO's World Heritage regime to biodiversity protection, helping distinguish it from purely cultural treaties. Prepare by memorising scope (cultural vs natural) and examples of biodiversity relevance.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > 15.14. WONTO HERITAGE SITES > p. 224
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > World HerItAge sItes. > p. 56
The 'Joint Liaison Group' (JLG). Since UNCCD, CBD, and UNFCCC are the three 'Rio Sisters', they have a formal mechanism called the JLG to coordinate activities. A future question might ask which conventions comprise the JLG or test the 'Synergy' initiatives between them.
Use the 'Inclusive Phrase' Heuristic. The question asks what has a 'bearing on' (impact/relevance to) biodiversity. This is a very low threshold.
1. 'Plant Genetic Resources' = Genes (Level 1 of Biodiversity).
2. 'Desertification' = Habitat loss (Level 3 of Biodiversity).
3. 'World Heritage' = Natural sites like Kaziranga (Conservation).
Unless a treaty is strictly industrial (e.g., Double Taxation Avoidance), any environmental treaty likely has a 'bearing'. Mark All.
Link ITPGRFA to GS3 Agriculture & IPR. This treaty is the global counterpart to India's 'Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001'. It balances Intellectual Property Rights (breeders) with Farmers' Rights (traditional conservation), a critical theme for Mains.