UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — National Biodiversity Authority constitutes Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species

Q1. Under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which one of the following is the apex national-level regulatory authority for access to biological resources and benefit-sharing?

  • A. State Biodiversity Board
  • B. National Biodiversity Authority
  • C. Biodiversity Management Committee
  • D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Q2. The National Biodiversity Authority, which administers the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (as amended in 2023), functions under which one of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
  • B. Ministry of Science and Technology
  • C. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • D. Ministry of Earth Sciences

Q3. The National Green Tribunal, in its suo motu proceedings on invasive alien species (O.A. No. 162/2023), directed which one of the following bodies to undertake a comprehensive study and frame guidelines?

  • A. National Biodiversity Authority
  • B. Zoological Survey of India
  • C. Central Pollution Control Board
  • D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Q4. In its suo motu proceedings (O.A. No. 162/2023), the National Green Tribunal flagged invasive alien species as a threat to which of the following? Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Native biodiversity and key ecosystems
  2. Agriculture and food security
  3. Human and wildlife health
  4. Stability of the stratospheric ozone layer
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. In the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity and GBF Target 6, an 'invasive alien species' is best defined as which one of the following?

  • A. Any non-native species deliberately introduced for commercial cultivation
  • B. A species introduced outside its natural distribution whose establishment and spread threaten native biodiversity and ecosystem services
  • C. An endemic species that has expanded its range owing to climate change
  • D. A genetically modified organism released into the wild

Q6. India's updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, released at CBD COP16 (Cali, Colombia), outlines how many National Biodiversity Targets aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework?

  • A. 17
  • B. 20
  • C. 23
  • D. 30

Q7. With reference to the Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species constituted by the National Biodiversity Authority, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Its tenure is two years.
  2. Its composition spans expertise in ecology, forestry, agriculture, fisheries and marine sciences.
  3. It is mandated to prepare a consolidated national list of invasive alien species based on State-wise inputs.
  4. It was constituted in exercise of powers under the Biological Diversity Act, 1972.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only