UPSC Prelims 2021 Q97: Hyderabad Tree City of the World — Explained
Consider the following statements:
Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World.
Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1
- Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1
- Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct
- Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct
Answer: (d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct
Statement-wise explanation
- A: incorrect — This option needs both statements to be correct, and Statement 1 is not. Tree Cities of the World is run by the Arbor Day Foundation together with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is not involved. Hyderabad was recognised as a 2020 Tree City of the World, but the statement names the wrong UN partner.
- B: incorrect — This option also needs Statement 1 to be correct. Statement 1 names UNCDF, but the recognition came from the Arbor Day Foundation and FAO. FAO announced the 2020 group on 29 March 2021: 120 cities in 23 countries, with Hyderabad among them. The 'explanation' part of this option does not matter once Statement 1 is false.
- C: incorrect — This option has the two statements the wrong way round. Statement 1 is wrong because UNCDF is named in place of FAO. Statement 2 is right. Hyderabad was chosen because it committed to growing and maintaining its urban forests, through Telangana's Haritha Haram plantation drive and its urban forest parks. The title lasts one year, so a city must qualify again each year.
- D: correct — This is the answer. Statement 1 is wrong only because it names UNCDF; the real partner with the Arbor Day Foundation is FAO. Statement 2 is right. The title is given for one year, and Hyderabad earned it by committing to grow and maintain its urban forests. Since Statement 1 is false, the question of whether Statement 2 explains it does not arise.
How to eliminate
You cannot solve this from logic alone. You have to know which UN body runs Tree Cities of the World. Statement 2 is easier to judge. Any city-level tree award would naturally reward a commitment to grow and maintain urban forests, and annual renewal is normal for such titles. That makes Statement 2 likely true, which rules out the option where Statement 2 is false. Then look at Statement 1. UNCDF is a UN fund that gives finance (capital) to the least developed countries. Forests and urban trees fall under FAO. So 'UNCDF' is very likely a swapped name, a common UPSC trap. The fact to remember: Tree Cities of the World = Arbor Day Foundation + FAO, started in 2019.
Know more
Tree Cities of the World is a global programme started in 2019 by the Arbor Day Foundation (a US non-profit) and the FAO. It recognises cities that look after their urban trees and forests well. The title lasts one year, so cities must apply and qualify each year.
The five standards a city must meet
| Standard | What it means |
|---|---|
| Establish responsibility | A named body, such as a Tree Board or department, is in charge of tree care |
| Set the rules | A law or policy governs how trees are planted, cared for and removed, with penalties |
| Know what you have | An up-to-date inventory of the city's trees and a long-term plan |
| Allocate the resources | A yearly budget set aside for the tree plan |
| Celebrate achievements | A yearly tree celebration to involve residents |
India's record
- 2020 group (announced March 2021): 120 cities in 23 countries. Hyderabad was the only Indian city. Telangana's Haritha Haram plantation drive and its urban forest parks were key reasons.
- 2021 group: Hyderabad won again, and Mumbai was added.
Do not confuse these UN bodies
| Body | Main role |
|---|---|
| FAO | Food, farming, forests, fisheries; partner in Tree Cities |
| UNCDF | Finance for the least developed countries |
| UN-Habitat | Housing and cities in general |
| UNEP | The environment in general |
Urban forests cool cities, soak up stormwater, store carbon and improve health. This is why cities in India are planting tree belts, Miyawaki forests and oxygen parks.
In the news
In February–March 2021, the Arbor Day Foundation and FAO named Hyderabad a 2020 Tree City of the World. It was the only Indian city in that group, and the news was widely covered before the October 2021 Prelims.