Consider the following statements: Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World. Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Answer: D. STATEMENT 1 IS NOT CORRECT; STATEMENT 2 IS CORRECT. The 'TREE CITY OF THE WORLD' programme is a joint initiative of: - THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION (a US-based environmental non-profit founded 1972). - THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO) of the United Nations. NOT BY THE UN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT FUND (UNCDF). Statement 1 is WRONG. The recognition of Hyderabad as a Tree City of the World 2020 was given by the ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION AND FAO — NOT by 'UNCDF and Arbor Day Foundation' as the statement claims. The UNCDF is a separate UN agency focused on local development finance for least-developed countries; it has NO role in tree city recognition. The statement misidentifies the partnering agency. Statement 2 is CORRECT. Hyderabad was selected for the recognition (FOR A YEAR-LONG DESIGNATION) IN RECOGNITION OF ITS COMMITMENT TO GROW AND MAINTAIN URBAN FORESTS through initiatives like: - TELANGANA KU HARITHA HAARAM (the state's massive afforestation programme, launched 2015, aim to increase forest cover to 33%). - Plantation drives across the city. - Tree census and urban green-space mapping. - Adoption of Forsythia gardens, urban biodiversity parks. To be designated a Tree City of the World, a city must meet five core standards: (i) establish a department or body responsible for tree care, (ii) have rules and policies governing tree management, (iii) maintain an inventory of trees, (iv) dedicate annual resources to tree care, and (v) celebrate trees through Arbor Day or similar events. Hyderabad demonstrated all five and received the recognition for 2020. So Statement 1 is WRONG, Statement 2 is RIGHT — option D. Source: Arbor Day Foundation / FAO joint programme / Government of Telangana announcements.