Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct ? 1. Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata. 2. Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi. 3. Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. Select the answer using the code given below :

The correct answer is Option B (1 and 3 only).

NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience) is a collaborative platform established by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It was designed to enhance institutional synergies, avoid duplication of research, and align scientific outcomes with national policy needs.

• Statement 1 is correct: Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a key vertical under NIRANTAR. The lead institute for this vertical is the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata. Its mandate includes conducting surveys, assessments, and analytics on flora, fauna, and forests, coordinating with other bodies like the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The Research and Management of Ecosystem Service vertical is led by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, not the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). Although the CZA, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) are constituent members of this vertical, ICFRE holds the leadership role to direct long-term ecological stability and sustainable development research.
• Statement 3 is correct: The Capacity Development Support vertical is led by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal. This vertical focuses on creating a pool of trained professionals in sustainable resource management, ecosystem services, and climate change mitigation. (A fourth vertical, Climate Change Support, is led by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management).

Takeaway/Mnemonic: To recall the vertical leads, associate the function with the institute's core strength: Surveying starts at the fundamental flora level (Botanical Survey of India), Ecosystem Management demands comprehensive forestry research (ICFRE), and Capacity Building naturally requires a management institution (IIFM).