Published: 8 March 2026PIBEnvironment
India Submits 7th National Report to Convention on Biological Diversity, Assesses Progress on 23 Biodiversity Targets
On 26 February 2026, the Government of India submitted its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), providing a comprehensive evaluation of India's progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) 2030 targets, against 23 national biodiversity targets aligned with the GBF's 23 global targets (COP15, 2022).
The report highlights India's achievements: total forest and tree cover stands at 25.17% of the geographical area; the country has 106 national parks, 574 wildlife sanctuaries, 145 conservation reserves, and 309 community reserves. Ramsar wetland sites have grown from 26 in 2014 to 98 in 2026. The report acknowledges biodiversity threats including invasive alien species, habitat fragmentation, and the agriculture-forest interface. In the Rajasthan context, the Thar Desert represents a critical arid biodiversity ecosystem — home to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), state bird of Rajasthan, which remains critically endangered with fewer than 150 individuals left. The 7th National Report signals India's preparedness for CBD COP17.
Mains angle
Q: Analyse India's progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework targets as assessed in its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Answer (50 words):
India submitted its 7th National Report to CBD in March 2026, assessing 23 national targets aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Framework. Forest and tree cover stands at 25.17%; India has 106 national parks; Ramsar sites expanded from 26 in 2014 to 98 by 2026. Fewer than 150 Great Indian Bustards survive in Thar.
6-axis classification
CoverageNationalSubjectScience & TechnologyExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourcePIB
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Linked questionMedium
How many biodiversity targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework does India's 7th National Report to CBD assess?
Explanation · Correct answer CIndia's 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity assesses progress on all 23 biodiversity targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Frequently asked questions
What is India's 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and when was it submitted?
India submitted its 7th National Report to the CBD in March 2026, assessing progress on 23 national biodiversity targets aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The report is a key milestone ahead of CBD COP17.
How many Ramsar sites does India have and what is its significance?
India has 98 Ramsar wetland sites, the highest number among Asian countries. Ramsar sites are internationally recognised wetlands of importance under the Ramsar Convention, and India's leadership in Asia underscores its commitment to wetland conservation.
What is the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and why is it relevant for RPSC RAS?
The Great Indian Bustard is a critically endangered bird found in Rajasthan's Thar Desert, and it is one of the most threatened bird species in the world. It is significant for RAS candidates because Rajasthan is its primary habitat and conservation efforts like Project GIB are underway in the state.
What is India's current forest and tree cover percentage as per the latest FSI report?
India's forest and tree cover stands at 25.17% of its total geographical area as per the latest Forest Survey of India (FSI) report. India also has 106 national parks and over 573 protected areas covering diverse ecosystems.
What is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and what does India's report assess?
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is a global agreement adopted at CBD COP15 in 2022, setting 23 targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. India's 7th National Report assesses its progress on 23 national biodiversity targets aligned with this framework.
