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UPSC CSE 2025 · PYQ · Reading Comprehension / Central Idea · medium

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

Explanation

The passage centrally highlights the inherent conflict between using ecosystems for livelihoods, commercial exploitation, and conservation. It emphasizes that these uses are mutually exacerbating—commercial exploitation harms livelihoods through floods, siltation and microclimatic instability, while livelihood dependence also stresses the ecosystem. Option (c) captures this interrelationship of conflict and imbalance. Option (a) contradicts the passage. Option (b) introduces a 'fundamental rights' angle not discussed. Option (d) is an extreme prescription the author does not make.
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