Consider the following statements : ​ Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World. ​ Statement 2 : Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests. ​ ​ Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? ​

The correct answer is D. Statement 1 is wrong because the recognition was given by the Arbor Day Foundation together with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), not by UNCDF. Statement 2 is right: Tree City of the World status is granted for one year and must be renewed each year, and cities qualify by meeting five core standards: a legal framework for trees, a tree inventory and management plan, a dedicated annual budget, a tree planting and care programme, and community engagement.

The core concept here is urban forestry as a municipal governance commitment, not a one-time plantation drive. Hyderabad's recognition for 2020 rested on its urban forest programme, including the Haritha Haram initiative, which is a useful example to remember for Environment and Mains governance answers on urban green cover.

• Statement 1: The agencies are the Arbor Day Foundation and FAO. UNCDF has no role in this programme, so the statement is incorrect.
• Statement 2: The one-year recognition and the renewal requirement match the programme's design, so it is correct.

Trap: Candidates often accept the first statement because the UN name sounds plausible. Check the attributed body separately from the substance of the award.