Passage-1
The Himalayan ecosystem is highly vulnerable to damage, both due to geological reasons and on accoun

Question

Passage-1
The Himalayan ecosystem is highly vulnerable to damage, both due to geological reasons and on account of the stress caused by increased pressure of population, exploitation of natural resources and other related challenges. These aspects may be exacerbated due to the impact of climate change. It is possible that climate change may adversely impact the Himalayan ecosystem through increased temperature altered precipitation patterns, episodes of drought and biotic influences. This would not only impact the very sustenance of the indigenous communities in uplands but also the life of downstream dwellers across the country and beyond. Therefore, there is an urgent need for giving special attention to sustain the Himalayan ecosystem. This would require conscious efforts for conserving all the representative systems. Further, it needs to be emphasized that the endemics with restricted distribution, and most often with specialized habitat requirements, are among the most vulnerable elements. In this respect the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, with rich endemic diversity, is vulnerable to climate change. The Threats include possible loss of genetic resources and species, habitats and concomitantly a decrease in ecosystem services. Therefore, conservation of endemic elements in representative ecosystems/habitats assumes a great significance while drawing conservation plans for the region. Towards achieving the above, we will have to shift towards contemporary conservation approaches, which include a paradigm of landscape level interconnectivity between protected area systems. The concept advocates a shift from the species- habitat focus to an inclusive focus on expanding the bio- geographic range so that natural adjustments to climate change can proceed without being restrictive.

Which one of the following statements best implies the need to shift toward contemporary conservation approach?

Accepted Answer

The passage states that contemporary conservation approaches, which involve landscape-level interconnectivity and expanding the biogeographic range, are needed "so that natural adjustments to climate change can proceed without being restrictive." This directly implies that the goal of this shift is to enable the Himalayan biogeographic region to adapt to climate change smoothly.

A) Exploitation of natural resources is a problem identified, but not the reason for the specific shift in conservation approach described.
B) These are consequences of climate change, explaining the vulnerability, but not the rationale for the *type* of contemporary approach advocated.
C) This describes the region's importance and vulnerability, but doesn't explain *why* the conservation approach needs to *shift* to landscape-level interconnectivity for adaptation.
D) This option directly aligns with the passage's explanation for the shift: to allow "natural adjustments to climate change" to proceed, which means enabling the region to adapt smoothly.

Answer

Exploitation of natural resources causes a stress on the Himalayan ecosystem

Answer

Climate change alters precipitation patterns, causes episodes of drought and biotic interference

Answer

The rich biodiversity, including endemic diversity, makes the Himalayan region a biodiversity hotspot

Answer

The Himalayan biogeographic region should be enabled to adapt to climate change smoothly.

Explanation

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