The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
Conservation strategies are essential for maintaining ecological processes and life support systems, including air, water, and soil. These strategies ensure the sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems, preserving the biological diversity required for ecological stability.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Conservation efforts are explicitly aimed at preserving the genetic diversity of plants and animals. This genetic variability is crucial for the adaptation, better growth, and breeding of species, ensuring resilience against environmental changes and diseases.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Fisheries production is heavily dependent on the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity. Healthy aquatic ecosystems provide the necessary food web, breeding grounds, and environmental conditions required for fish populations to thrive. Degradation of aquatic biodiversity directly negatively impacts fisheries yield.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972. It provided a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants, banned hunting and poaching, and facilitated the legal protection of habitats through the establishment of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Key Takeaway: Conservation is vital for preserving genetic diversity and sustaining economic activities like fisheries. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is the foundational legal instrument in India for habitat protection and the prohibition of hunting.