India submitted its Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), providing a comprehensive assessment of the country's progress towards the 23 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) and 142 indicators aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). This is India's first full progress assessment since countries adopted the KMGBF in 2022. The report finds that of the 23 national biodiversity targets, only two are on track, namely NBT1 on biodiversity-inclusive land and sea-use planning and NBT2 on ecosystem restoration. A major concern flagged is land degradation, with 29.77 percent or about 97 million hectares of India's geographical area undergoing degradation, suggesting new degradation may be outpacing restoration efforts. On conservation coverage, only a little over five percent of India's geographical area is designated as formal protected areas, far below the global 30 percent conservation target under the framework, and the report does not clarify whether India will meet this target by 2030. The report nonetheless highlights notable species conservation success for flagship species, including a tiger population of 3,167, recovery of Asiatic lions and rhinos, and the first national snow leopard assessment. The report was prepared by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, with inputs from 33 central ministries and departments, technical coordination by the National Biodiversity Authority, and support from the UNDP under the Global Environment Facility GEF-8 Umbrella Programme. The findings underline persistent challenges of data gaps, limited conservation coverage and accelerating land degradation in meeting India's 2030 biodiversity commitments.
India's Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity Reveals Only Two of Twenty-Three National Biodiversity Targets Are On Track With Land Degradation Affecting 29.77 Percent of Geographical Area
India submitted its Seventh National Report to the CBD, finding only 2 of 23 National Biodiversity Targets on track, land degradation affecting 29.77 percent (97 million hectares) of geographical area, protected areas at just over 5 percent, but flagship species gains including 3,167 tigers.
Key facts
- India submitted its Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- It assesses progress on 23 National Biodiversity Targets and 142 indicators aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
- Only two targets are on track: NBT1 (biodiversity-inclusive land and sea-use planning) and NBT2 (ecosystem restoration)
- Land degradation affects 29.77 percent or about 97 million hectares of India's geographical area
- Formal protected areas cover just over 5 percent, well below the 30 percent global conservation target
- Flagship species gains: 3,167 tigers, Asiatic lion and rhino recovery, and the first national snow leopard assessment; report prepared by MoEFCC with NBA coordination and UNDP-GEF-8 support
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Consider the following statements regarding India's Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity: 1. Only two of the 23 National Biodiversity Targets are on track. 2. The National Biodiversity Targets are aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both statements are correct. The Seventh National Report finds only 2 of 23 NBTs on track, and the NBTs and their 142 indicators are aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022.
Source: DD News / MoEFCC
Frequently asked questions
How many of India's 23 National Biodiversity Targets are on track per the Seventh National Report?
Only two targets are on track: NBT1 on biodiversity-inclusive land and sea-use planning and NBT2 on ecosystem restoration.
What share of India's geographical area is undergoing land degradation?
29.77 percent, or about 97 million hectares, is undergoing degradation.
Which framework do the National Biodiversity Targets align with?
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted by countries in 2022.
Which ministry prepared the report?
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, with technical coordination by the National Biodiversity Authority and UNDP-GEF-8 support.
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