India's Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity
India's recent submission to the Convention on Biological Diversity assesses its biodiversity commitments and progress in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Key Progress and Developments
- Institutional and Digital-Data Architecture: Significant advancements in systematised governance and biodiversity conservation.
- National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2024-30):
- Aligned with the Kunming-Montreal framework.
- Includes a biodiversity-monitoring system with 142 indicators mapped to 23 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs).
- Spatial Planning and Ecosystem Monitoring:
- Visible progress under NBT-1.
- ISRO's role in spatial and temporal assessments of forests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems for conservation planning.
- PARIVESH Platform:
- Streamlined environmental governance with a GIS-based single-window facility.
- Tracks forest, wildlife, and environmental clearances, with recent expansion to PARIVESH 2.0.
- Ecosystem Restoration:
- Data-driven approaches under NBT-2.
- ISRO's mapping of desertification and land degradation to aid restoration efforts.
Challenges and Concerns
- Restoration vs Degradation:
- 24.1 million hectares restored against a target of 26 million hectares.
- 30% of geographical area still facing land degradation.
- Limited Conservation Coverage: Only about 5% of India's land is under formal protection.
- Data Limitations:
- Non-standardised indicators and fragmented data collection systems.
- External Pressures:
- Climate events, land-use change, infrastructure expansion, and urbanisation impacting biodiversity.
- Weak Agricultural Ecosystems:
- Concerns over pesticide use and nutrient runoff despite agroforestry covering 8.65% of the area.
Recommendations
Biodiversity monitoring must be complemented by robust regulatory enforcement. Conservation efforts need to extend beyond protected areas into agriculture, infrastructure, and urban planning to effectively address biodiversity loss intertwined with climate, food security, and livelihood challenges.
