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?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) 2 only
TRAFFIC is a non-governmental wildlife trade monitoring network founded by IUCN and WWF, not a UN body. Its whole purpose is to keep the trade in wild species from harming their survival, so only statement 2 is right.
- ✗ 1. TRAFFIC was set up in 1976 by IUCN and WWF, which remain its founders and partners. It describes itself as a non-governmental organisation and has no place in the UNEP structure.
- ✓ 2. TRAFFIC's own 2017 website stated this as its mission, word for word. It now phrases the same aim as keeping trade in wild species legal and sustainable.
Remember · TRAFFIC = NGO wildlife-trade monitoring network, founded 1976 by IUCN and WWF; works closely with CITES but is not a UN or UNEP body.
Sources
- TRAFFIC, Overview (archived 2017 version of traffic.org) ↗ · reference work “TRAFFIC's mission is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.”
- TRAFFIC, Our Mission (current) ↗ · reference work “TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organisation working to ensure that trade in wild species is legal and sustainable for the benefit of the planet and people.”
- IUCN, IUCN and WWF congratulate TRAFFIC on its new governance arrangements (27 Sep 2017) ↗ “The new governance arrangements were developed with guidance from IUCN and WWF – both TRAFFIC founders.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2017, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·