Which one of the following has been recognized as a Megadiverse Country?

Answer: B (Australia). Australia is one of the 17 Megadiverse Countries identified by Conservation International, which together hold roughly 70 per cent of the world's biodiversity. The group includes Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Madagascar, South Africa and the USA, among others. Australia's high endemism, from its marsupials and reptiles to its coral reefs and plant species, puts it on that list.

• New Zealand (A): It is rich in endemic species but has a small land area and is not on the Megadiverse list.
• Nepal (C): It has valuable Himalayan biodiversity and protected areas, but it is not a Megadiverse Country.
• Austria (D): It is a temperate European state with modest biodiversity compared with tropical and high-endemism nations, and it is not on the list.

The concept links to the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) and the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing, which matter for GS-III (environment) and for Mains answers on biopiracy and benefit-sharing.

Trap: Candidates pick Nepal or New Zealand because they are biodiversity hotspots or famous for conservation. Being a hotspot and being Megadiverse are different lists, so check the specific list.