India, known for its rich biodiversity, recently presented its sixth national report (NR6) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This occurred during the inaugural session of a meeting organized by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), which was attended by the State Biodiversity Boards. By submitting the NR6, India has joined the first five countries worldwide to do so, becoming the first in Asia and among biodiversity-rich mega diverse nations. The submission is part of a compulsory obligation for parties involved in international treaties, including the CBD.
India’s National Biodiversity Targets Contribution to Global Aichi Targets
India developed a set of 12 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) as a contribution towards achieving the 20 global Aichi biodiversity targets. India has made significant progress in these areas, which is evident in the NR6 report. For instance, according to the 15th India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2017, India’s forest cover is increasing. Furthermore, the nation has surpassed two NBTs and is on track to achieve eight more, while it is striving to meet the remaining two NBTs by 2020.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Area under biodiversity conservation | Over 20% of India’s geographical area |
| First internationally recognized certificate of compliance (IRCC) under the Protocol | Published in 2015 |
| Percentage of total recorded species in India that are critically endangered | Only 0.08% |
The Growth of India’s Wildlife Population
India has seen a significant increase in its wildlife population due to conservation efforts. Numbers of lions have crossed 520, while the elephant population has reached 30,000. The one-horned Indian Rhino, which was on the brink of extinction in the early 20th century, now numbers around 2400.
Sustainable Management Efforts
In alignment with the CBD’s objectives, India has adopted measures for sustainable management of agriculture, fisheries, and forests. These steps aim to ensure food and nutritional security without destroying the natural resource base and promoting inter-generational environmental equity. Additionally, programs are established to maintain the genetic diversity of cultivated plants, farm livestock, and their wild relatives, minimizing genetic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity.
Protecting Heritage and Traditional Knowledge
India is creating mechanisms to recognize and protect the vast heritage of coded and oral traditional knowledge relating to biodiversity. These efforts are critical to conserving the biological diversity and ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Its Protocols
The CBD is a legally binding treaty for biodiversity conservation, enacted in 1993. It seeks to conserve biodiversity, promote the sustainable use of its components, and fairly distribute benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. With the exception of the US, which has signed but not ratified it, nearly all countries have endorsed this crucial international treaty.
