Question

Which is not included under in situ conservation?
(a) National Park
(b) Sanctuary
(c) Biosphere reserve
(d) Zoological/botanical garden

Answer 1

Hint: Among the amenities given the one which is not included under in situ conservation is a facility in which animals are housed in enclosures away from their natural habitat. The other facility is a garden that is dedicated to the collection, cultivation, conservation, and display of a wide range of plants.

Complete answer:
Zoological/botanical garden is not included under in situ conservation. In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected by the forest authorities as biosphere reserves, national parks, and sanctuaries. Consequently, India now has fourteen biosphere reserves, ninety national parks, and four hundred and forty-eight wildlife sanctuaries. When we conserve and protect the whole ecosystem, its biodiversity at all levels is protected, e.g., we save the entire forest as a measure to save the tiger. This approach is called in situ (on-site) conservation.
However, when situations arise where a plant or animal is endangered or threatened and needs immediate measures to save it from getting extinct, ex-situ (off-site) conservation is the apt approach. Thus ‘in situ conservation’ includes the protection and conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats while maintaining and recovering the viable populations of the species in their natural surroundings itself. Sacred groves come under in situ conservation. Other examples include national parks, biosphere reserves, and sanctuaries.
So, the correct answer is, ‘zoological/botanical garden.’

Note: Ex-situ conservation means conservation of biodiversity away from their site of occurrence. Artificial conditions are created for making the habitat almost like a natural one. It involves genetic conservation away from its original location. This method enhances the probability of reproductive success among the endangered species. Thus, ex-situ conservation includes zoos, aquariums, and seed banks.