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 :
Contents10
- A1, 2 and 3
- B1 and 3 only
- C2 only
- D3 only
Show answer
Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only
The correct answer is 1 and 3 only.
Key Points
- NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience) is an umbrella platform set up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It brings the work of various autonomous institutions together.
- Statement 1 is correct. The Ecosystem Survey and Analysis vertical handles detailed mapping and inventory of biological resources. Its lead institute is the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), headquartered in Kolkata.
- Statement 2 is incorrect. The Research and Management of Ecosystem Service vertical deals with how nature functions and the benefits it gives society. Its lead is usually a research body such as the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) or the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment — not the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
- Statement 3 is correct. The Capacity Development Support vertical builds human resources and institutional expertise in the sector. The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal leads it and provides management and technical training.
Additional Information
- NIRANTAR platform: It aims to close the gap between scientific research and policy use. Its focus areas are Climate Change Adaptation, Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Resource Management.
- Botanical Survey of India (BSI): Set up on 13 February 1890 to explore the plant resources of the Indian empire. It does taxonomic and floristic studies of wild plant resources.
- Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM): Founded in 1982 as an autonomous institute under the MoEFCC. It is a leading sectoral management institute offering specialised education in Forest, Environment and Natural Resources Management.
- Central Zoo Authority (CZA): A statutory body under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. It oversees the working of zoos and sets standards for animal housing and veterinary care.
NIRANTAR is a coordinating platform launched by MoEFCC to integrate research work across multiple autonomous environmental institutions under common verticals.
The question tests specific knowledge of which institution leads each vertical - a detail-oriented question where students often confuse the roles of different environmental bodies like CZA, WII, and BSI.
NIRANTAR Platform Structure
Environment NIRANTAR National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
NIRANTAR Platform: Structure & Verticals for UPSC
NIRANTAR = National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience
Umbrella platform under MoEFCC coordinating autonomous institutions
Three key verticals: Ecosystem Survey, Ecosystem Services Research, Capacity Development
Focuses on Climate Change Adaptation, Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Resource Management
NIRANTAR is an umbrella platform launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy implementation. It coordinates multiple autonomous institutions under three specialized verticals.
NIRANTAR Verticals & Lead Institutes
Vertical | Lead Institute | Location | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|---|
Ecosystem Survey and Analysis | Botanical Survey of India (BSI) | Kolkata | Mapping & inventory of biological resources |
Research and Management of Ecosystem Service | Wildlife Institute of India (WII) / G.B. Pant Institute | Dehradun / Almora | Nature's benefits to society research |
Capacity Development Support | Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) | Bhopal | Human resource & institutional training |
Trap: Statement 2 wrongly assigns Central Zoo Authority as lead for Ecosystem Services — CZA only manages zoos
Trap: Don't confuse BSI (plants/taxonomy) with ZSI (animals/zoology) for survey work
Trap: IIFM Bhopal leads capacity building, not research verticals
Botanical Survey of India
Environment Botanical Survey of India BSI Kolkata
Botanical Survey of India: Role & Functions
Established 13 February 1890 to explore plant resources of Indian empire
Headquarters in Kolkata, leads Ecosystem Survey and Analysis under NIRANTAR
Conducts taxonomic and floristic studies of wild plant resources
BSI is India's premier institution for botanical research, established during British rule to systematically document the subcontinent's plant wealth. It now serves as the lead institute for ecosystem surveys under the NIRANTAR platform.
Core Functions
Taxonomic classification of Indian flora and publication of flora series
Biodiversity documentation through systematic surveys across ecosystems
Herbarium maintenance with over 2.5 million preserved plant specimens
Red Data Book preparation for threatened plant species assessment
Don't confuse with Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) — BSI handles plants, ZSI handles animals
BSI headquarters is Kolkata, not New Delhi like many other survey organizations
Indian Institute of Forest Management
Environment Indian Institute of Forest Management IIFM Bhopal
Indian Institute of Forest Management: Education & Training
Founded in 1982 as autonomous institute under MoEFCC
Located in Bhopal, leads Capacity Development Support under NIRANTAR
Specializes in Forest, Environment and Natural Resources Management education
IIFM is India's leading sectoral management institute for forest and environmental education. It bridges the gap between traditional forestry and modern sustainable resource management through specialized training programs.
Key Programs & Functions
Post-graduate programs in Forest Management and Environmental Management
Executive education for IFS officers and forest department personnel
Research and consultancy in forest policy, carbon markets, and biodiversity conservation
International collaborations for sustainable development and climate change adaptation
IIFM leads capacity building, not research verticals under NIRANTAR
Located in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), not in a traditional forestry state
Central Zoo Authority
Environment Central Zoo Authority CZA New Delhi
Central Zoo Authority: Regulatory Functions
Statutory body under Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
Regulates zoo operations and sets animal housing & veterinary care standards
NOT involved in ecosystem services research or NIRANTAR verticals
CZA is a specialized regulatory authority focused exclusively on zoo management and animal welfare standards. It has no role in broader ecosystem research or the NIRANTAR platform's verticals.
Core Functions
Zoo licensing and regulation across India under Wildlife Protection Act
Standards formulation for animal enclosures, feeding, and veterinary care
Recognition of zoos and periodic evaluation of their performance
Capacity building for zoo personnel and wildlife conservation education
Major trap: CZA is NOT the lead for ecosystem services research under NIRANTAR
CZA scope is limited to zoos only, not broader wildlife or ecosystem management
Statutory body under Wildlife Act, not an autonomous research institute
MoEFCC Institutional Framework
Environment Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change MoEFCC
MoEFCC: Institutional Architecture & Functions
MoEFCC coordinates environmental policy through diverse institutional types
Includes autonomous institutes, statutory bodies, and survey organizations
NIRANTAR serves as umbrella platform for research coordination
MoEFCC Institution Types
Institution Type | Examples | Primary Role | Legal Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Survey Organizations | BSI, ZSI, GSI | Documentation & taxonomy | Autonomous under MoEFCC |
Statutory Bodies | CZA, CPCB, SPCBs | Regulation & compliance | Created by specific Acts |
Research Institutes | WII, IIFM, ICFRE | Research & capacity building | Autonomous societies |
Coordination Platforms | NIRANTAR | Inter-institutional coordination | Administrative arrangement |
Don't assume all MoEFCC institutions have research mandates — CZA is purely regulatory
Survey organizations (BSI, ZSI) focus on documentation, not policy research
Autonomous status doesn't mean independent of ministerial oversight