Which of the following statements is/are correct? Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to 1. protection of biodiversity 2. resilience of forest ecosystems 3. poverty reduction Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

The correct answer is D. All three statements describe intended co-benefits of a well-designed UN-REDD+ programme, which is why the question stresses proper design and effective implementation.

UN-REDD is the collaborative UN programme, run jointly by FAO, UNDP and UNEP, that helps developing countries cut emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The plus covers conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. The Cancun safeguards (2010) require countries to conserve natural forests and biodiversity and to protect ecosystem services.

• Statement 1 (biodiversity): correct, because safeguards discourage plantations that replace natural forest.
• Statement 2 (resilience): correct, because reducing degradation and restoring cover keep forest ecosystems functional under climate stress.
• Statement 3 (poverty): correct, because community forest management and benefit-sharing from results-based payments can raise forest-dependent incomes, provided indigenous and local rights are respected.

Options A, B and C each omit at least one valid co-benefit, so they fail.

Mains angle: this connects to climate finance and results-based payments under the Warsaw Framework (2013), a GS-3 theme on green growth and inclusive environmental governance.

Trap: aspirants treat REDD+ as a pure carbon-accounting tool and reject statement 3, forgetting that social safeguards are part of the design.