📘 Q.7 IAS Prelims 2021 — Environment & Ecology (New York Declaration on Forests)🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk
📌 The Question:
With reference to the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which of the following statements are correct?
- It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014.
- It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests.
- It is a legally binding international declaration.
- It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities.
- India was one of the signatories at its inception.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 1, 3 and 5
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 5
✅ Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4
🧠 Classroom Explanation:
Statement 1 — ✅ Correct
• The New York Declaration on Forests was first endorsed at the UN Climate Summit, New York (2014)
• It emerged as a voluntary global commitment alongside climate negotiations
Statement 2 — ✅ Correct
• NYDF endorses a global timeline
- End natural forest loss by 2030
- Cut it by 50% by 2020
• Hence, it clearly lays down time-bound forest goals
Statement 3 — ❌ Incorrect
• NYDF is not legally binding
• It is a voluntary political declaration, not an international treaty
Statement 4 — ✅ Correct
• Endorsed by a broad coalition:
- National & subnational governments
- Multinational corporations
- Indigenous peoples’ groups
- Civil society organisations
Statement 5 — ❌ Incorrect
• India was not an original signatory to the declaration at inception
👉 Therefore, Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct.
🔍 Curiosity Raiser:
🌳 Did you know?
The NYDF was one of the first major global forest initiatives where corporations voluntarily committed to eliminate deforestation from their supply chains.
📚 Enrich Notes (Prelims Value-Add):
• Nature: Voluntary, non-legally binding
• Year: 2014
• Platform: UN Climate Summit, New York
• Key Goal: Zero net deforestation by 2030
• Stakeholders: Governments + Companies + Indigenous communities
• NYDF ≠ UNFCCC treaty
Exam Trap Alert 🚨
👉 “Political declaration” ≠ “legally binding agreement”
🪶 IAS Monk Whisper:
When forests fall, declarations rise — but only commitment makes them stand.