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UPSC PYQPrelims 2025

Civil Services Examination · Question 1

Read the following passage and answer the item that follows. Your answer should be based solely on the passage. Passage: Maintaining an ecosystem just to conserve biodiversity will affect its commercial potential as well as the livelihoods dependent on the ecosystem. There is also a conflict between using an ecosystem only for livelihoods, for commercial exploitation, or strictly for conservation. Deforestation caused due to commercial exploitation will lead to indirect harm like floods, siltation problems and microclimatic instability, apart from adversely affecting livelihoods dependent on forests. These conflicts are particularly acute in developing countries where the dependence of people on the ecosystem is significant, and commercial exploitation has the potential to boost national income. Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the author of the passage?

  1. Conservation of biodiversity is not an issue to be worried about when some people depend on ecosystems for their livelihoods.
  2. Commercial exploitation of forests goes against the fundamental rights of the people dependent on forests for food and shelter.
  3. Sustenance of livelihood and degradation of ecosystem while being together exacerbate one another, leading to conflicts and imbalance.
  4. Commercial exploitation of ecosystems should be completely stopped.
Show answer & explanation

Answer: (C) Sustenance of livelihood and degradation of ecosystem while being together exacerbate one another, leading to conflicts and imbalance.

Explanation

The passage is about the competing uses of ecosystems (livelihood, commerce, conservation) and how they conflict and harm one another, especially in developing countries. (Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.)