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UPSC Prelims 2021 · Environment · Rules for the Planet
With reference to the 'New York Declaration on Forests', which of the following statements are correct? Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 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.
- (a) 1, 2 and 4
- (b) 1, 3 and 5
- (c) 3 and 4
- (d) 2 and 5
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4
2014 summit, a timeline to end forest loss, and many kinds of endorsers.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ CORRECT It was endorsed at the UN Climate Summit in New York, September 2014.
2. ✓ CORRECT It aims to halve natural forest loss by 2020 and end it by 2030.
3. ✗ WRONG It is voluntary, not legally binding.
4. ✓ CORRECT Governments, companies, indigenous groups and NGOs endorsed it.
5. ✗ WRONG India did not sign at the start.
The idea
It is a voluntary political declaration, not a treaty. Its strength is who signed it: not only governments but also large companies, indigenous peoples’ groups and NGOs. Its weakness is that nobody can be held to it.
UN Climate Summit, New York, 2014 → Target: halve natural forest loss by 2020 → Target: end it by 2030 → Restore 350 million hectares by 2030 → 2020 target was missed
The trap
“Declaration” sounds official — but declarations are usually non-binding.
Also know
The restoration target is the same as the Bonn Challenge. In 2021 at COP26 the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use repeated the promise to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. India did not sign that one either; India’s position is that forest and trade should not be linked in such pledges.
🔒 NYDF 2014: halve forest loss by 2020, end by 2030; voluntary; India not an original signatory.