Context :

• India has submitted its Seventh National Report (NR-7) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It is the first comprehensive assessment of India’s progress towards the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) adopted in 2022.

Key Points :

• According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the report presents a robust indicator-based national assessment.

According to the report :

• Basis of the Report : The report is based on 142 national indicators aligned with 23 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs).
• Cooperation of Various Institutions : The assessment incorporates coordinated inputs from 33 central ministries/departments, state governments, statutory authorities, research institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Recorded Forest Area of India : India’s recorded forest area is 775,377 sq km, which constitutes 23.59% of the country’s total geographical area. Out of this, forest cover is 520,365 sq km (15.83%).
• Total Forest and Tree Cover : The total forest and tree cover in India has reached 827,356.95 sq km, accounting for 25.17% of the country’s total geographical area.
• Increase in Ramsar Wetlands : The number of Ramsar wetlands of international importance has increased from 26 in 2014 to 98 in 2026.
• India’s Conservation Network : India’s conservation network now includes 58 Tiger Reserves, 33 Elephant Reserves, 18 Biosphere Reserves, 106 National Parks, and 574 Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• Population of Major Wildlife Species : India has 3,682 tigers (more than 70% of the global tiger population). In addition, the country has 4,014 one-horned rhinoceroses, 22,446 wild elephants, 891 Asiatic lions, and about 718 snow leopards.
• Project Dolphin : Under Project Dolphin, the first assessment report of river dolphin population has been released, estimating 6,327 river dolphins in the country.
• Agro-Biodiversity Conservation : India has documented 22 agro-biodiversity hotspots and prioritized the conservation of 171 indigenous crop varieties, 230 indigenous livestock breeds, and 769 wild plant species (Crop Wild Relatives – CWR) based on diversity, uniqueness, and agricultural heritage.
• Legal Protection : Protected areas receive legal protection under major national laws such as the Indian Forest Act, 1927; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Biological Diversity Act, 2002; and Forest Panchayat Act, 1931.
• Public Participation and Initiatives : India’s NR-7 strategy also includes citizens’ contributions through initiatives such as ‘Mission LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment) and campaigns like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’.
• Conservation Strategy : India’s conservation strategy integrates habitat restoration and species recovery programmes, along with both in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures, to ensure the sustainable management of natural ecosystems and agro-biodiversity.
• Use of Advanced Technologies : India is using advanced technologies such as Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS), satellite telemetry, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), camera traps, and DNA-based tools for monitoring forest resources, free-ranging species, and conserving genetic resources.

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)

• Overview : The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) is a historic agreement adopted in December 2022 at COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Its objective is to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve harmony with nature by 2050.
• It is often referred to as the “Paris Agreement for Nature.”
• Targets : The framework includes 23 targets aimed at protecting biodiversity by 2030.
• Key 30×30 Target : Conserve and effectively manage at least 30% of the Earth’s land, coastal, and marine areas by 2030.

Other Major Targets :

• Restore 30% of degraded ecosystems.
• Reduce risks from pesticides and pollution by 50%.
• Mobilize at least $200 billion annually for biodiversity conservation.
• Long-Term Goal : Achieve “Living in Harmony with Nature” by 2050.