With reference to an organization known as ‘Birdlife International’ which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organizations.
2. The concept of ‘biodiversity hotspots’ originated from this organization.
3. It identifies the sites known/referred to as ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’.

Select the correct Answer using the code given below:

The correct option is 1 and 3 only.

Let us break down each statement to understand why this option is correct:

Statement 1 is correct: BirdLife International is indeed a global partnership of non-governmental conservation organizations (NGOs) that strives to conserve birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity. It is widely recognized as the world's largest partnership of conservation organizations, spanning over 100 countries.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The concept of "biodiversity hotspots" did not originate from BirdLife International. Instead, it was introduced and developed by the British ecologist Norman Myers in 1988. Later, the conservation organization Conservation International (CI) adopted and popularized the concept.

Statement 3 is correct: BirdLife International is the pioneering organization that identifies, documents, and monitors Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). These sites are internationally agreed key conservation areas critical for the long-term viability of wild bird populations and other biodiversity.