Assertion: Ex-situ conservation is carried out in biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries.
Reason: NGOs are involved in maintenance of these protected areas.

Options

A. If both Assertion and Reason are true and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
B. If both Assertion and Reason are true and the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
C. If Assertion is true but the Reason is false.
D. If both Assertion and Reason are false.

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Assertion**: The assertion states that "Ex-situ conservation is carried out in biosphere reserves, national parks, and sanctuaries." We need to analyze the meaning of ex-situ conservation and its relation to these protected areas.

2. **Defining Ex-situ and In-situ Conservation**:
- **In-situ conservation** refers to the conservation of species in their natural habitats, such as biosphere reserves, national parks, and sanctuaries.
- **Ex-situ conservation** involves the removal of species from their natural habitats and their preservation in controlled environments, such as zoos and botanical gardens.

3. **Evaluating the Assertion**: Since biosphere reserves, national parks, and sanctuaries are designed to protect species in their natural habitats, the assertion that these areas are involved in ex-situ conservation is incorrect. Therefore, the assertion is **false**.

4. **Understanding the Reason**: The reason states that "NGOs are involved in the maintenance of these protected areas." We need to evaluate the role of NGOs in relation to biosphere reserves, national parks, and sanctuaries.

5. **Evaluating the Reason**: While NGOs may play a role in conservation efforts, the primary responsibility for maintaining biosphere reserves, national parks, and sanctuaries typically lies with government bodies. NGOs may assist in certain cases, but they do not have the primary role in managing these areas. Thus, this reason is also **false**.

6. **Conclusion**: Since both the assertion and the reason are false, the correct answer is that both statements are incorrect.

### Final Answer: Both the assertion and reason are false.

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