Which of the following statement/s is/are correct regarding Forest-PLUS 2.0 Programme ? (1) This programme is a Five-year partnership between USAID and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (2) Forest-PLUS 2.0 Programme denotes Forest for Wealth and Health' (3) Tetra Tech is building capacity across landscapes in three States in India (4) The three States which come under this programme are; Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Bihar

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Forest-PLUS 2.0 program, launched by the USAID and India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is a significant initiative aimed at sustainable forest landscape management in India. The program, initiated in December 2018 and officially launched on September 25, 2019, focuses on developing tools and techniques to enhance ecosystem management and harness ecosystem services in forest landscape management. Statement 2 is correct: The program focuses on developing tools and techniques to strengthen ecosystem-based management and the inclusion of ecosystem services in forest landscape management. It also aims to enhance the inclusive economic opportunities that emerge from improved landscape management. The targets of Forest-PLUS 2.0 are: 1,20,000 hectares of land under improved management. New, inclusive economic activity worth $12 million. Measurable benefits accrued to 800,000 households. The program includes pilot projects in three landscapes — Gaya in Bihar, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, and Medak in Telangana. These sites were chosen due to the contrast in their landscapes – Bihar is a forest deficit area, Telangana is a relatively drier area where there is ample scope for community livelihood enhancement, and Kerala is rich in biodiversity. So, indeed, the Forest-PLUS 2.0 program signifies forest for health and wealth', as it aims to improve both the health of the environment and the wealth of the communities that depend on it. Statement 3 is correct: The program is implemented by Tetra Tech ARD, a US-based consulting and engineering company, and its implementation partner, IORA Ecological Solutions, a New Delhi-based environmental advisory group. Statement 4 is incorrect: Forest-PLUS 2.0 comprises pilot projects in three diverse landscapes in India – Gaya in Bihar, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, and Medak in Telangana. These locations were chosen to address specific challenges and opportunities related to forest management. Bihar represents a forest deficit area, Telangana represents a relatively drier area with potential for community livelihood enhancement, and Kerala is rich in biodiversity. Statements 1,2 and 3 are correct, and as per the given option the correct answer will be C) 1 and 3