India has submitted its Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, ahead of the deadline, underlining its commitment to biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and fair and equitable benefit-sharing from genetic resources. The report is aligned with India’s updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2030 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It presents an indicator-based assessment of national progress and reflects inputs from ministries, states, research bodies, and other stakeholders.
Mandatory CBD Reporting
India is required to submit national reports under Article 26 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Seventh National Report was submitted in line with CoP Decision 15/6. It continues India’s record of timely submission of previous national reports. The report is intended to show progress on biodiversity targets and national implementation measures.
National Biodiversity Targets
The report is based on 142 national indicators mapped against 23 National Biodiversity Targets. India states that all 23 targets are currently on track to achieve. The assessment marks a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. It also notes the involvement of 33 Central Ministries and Departments in integrating biodiversity concerns into policy areas such as agriculture, forestry, infrastructure, and coastal management.
Key Conservation Indicators
- Recorded forest area stands at 7,75,377 sq km, or 23.59% of India’s geographical area.
- Forest cover is 5,20,365 sq km, while total forest and tree cover is 8,27,356.95 sq km.
- Notified Ramsar wetlands have risen from 26 in 2014 to 98 in 2026.
- India’s conservation network includes 58 Tiger Reserves, 33 Elephant Reserves, 18 Biosphere Reserves, 106 National Parks, and 574 Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Species, Community Action and Technology
The report records major species conservation outcomes, including 3,682 tigers, 4,014 greater one-horned rhinoceroses, 22,446 wild elephants, 891 Asiatic lions, and about 718 snow leopards. It also cites 6,327 riverine dolphins under Project Dolphin. India has documented 22 agrobiodiversity hotspots and prioritised 769 Crop Wild Relatives. The National Biodiversity Authority has issued over 5,600 access and benefit-sharing agreements, disbursing INR 140 crore. The report also marks biodiversity monitoring through remote sensing, GIS, satellite telemetry, UAVs, camera traps, and DNA-based tools, along with citizen participation through Mission LiFE and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.
Last Modified: April 29, 2026