Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC): 1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

The correct answer is B. Only statement 2 is correct.

Statement 1 is wrong. TRAFFIC is not a bureau of UNEP. It is a wildlife trade monitoring network, set up in 1976 and run as a joint programme of WWF and IUCN. UNEP does administer the CITES Secretariat, which is probably why the two get confused.

Statement 2 is correct. TRAFFIC's stated mission is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals does not threaten the conservation of nature. It works by investigating illegal trade, analysing trade data and supporting enforcement, mainly in support of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 1973).

The core concept is the link between legal and illegal wildlife trade and species conservation. For Mains GS-3 (biodiversity and environment), this connects to India's Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, its schedules, and the role of enforcement bodies and monitoring networks in curbing wildlife crime.

Trap: Assuming that any organisation linked to a UN convention is a UN bureau. Check the parent body of each organisation separately.