NEWS – India Ranked 176 Out of 180 Countries in 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index

HIGHLIGHTS

About the Index

• Nature Conservation Index (NCI):
  • Launched in October 2024.
  • Evaluates conservation efforts using four key markers:
    • Land Management
    • Threats to Biodiversity
    • Capacity and Governance
    • Future Trends
  • Creators: Developed by the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University and BioDB.com.

Reasons for Low Ranking

• Inefficient Land Management: Major contributor to India’s poor performance.
• Rising Biodiversity Threats: Significant pressures affecting various species and ecosystems.

Key Issues Identified

1. Land Use and Soil Health:
   • 53% of land converted for urban, industrial, and agricultural use.
   • High pesticide usage and soil pollution.
   • Sustainable nitrogen index score: 0.77, indicating critical soil health concerns.
2. Marine Conservation:
   • Only 0.2% of national waterways are protected.
   • No protected areas within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
   • Contrast with 7.5% of terrestrial territory under protection.
3. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation:
   • Driven by agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure development.
   • Climate change exacerbates habitat loss.
4. Deforestation: Loss of 23,300 sq. km of tree cover between 2001 and 2019.

Biodiversity Concerns

• Population Declines:
  • 40% of marine species and 65% of terrestrial species within Protected Areas (PAs) show significant population declines.
  • An additional 67.5% of marine species and 46.9% of terrestrial species continue to experience population decreases.
• Alignment with Global Reports:
  • Findings coincide with challenges outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
    • SDG 14: Life Below Water
    • SDG 15: Life on Land

Future Outlook

• Challenges and Opportunities:
  • High population density poses a constant threat to ecological wealth.
  • Population has doubled since the late 1970s, increasing pressure on biodiversity.
• Illegal Wildlife Trade: India is the fourth-largest illegal wildlife trader, with annual sales around £15 billion.

Recommendations for Improvement

• Political Will and Governance: Essential for effective implementation of conservation strategies.
• Legal and Financial Support:
  • Enact laws supporting sustainable development.
  • Secure funding for environmental initiatives.
• International Cooperation: Strengthen enforcement mechanisms against illegal wildlife trade.