THE CONTEXT: With nearly 30% of its land experiencing degradation, India urgently needs a comprehensive nature restoration law. The European Union’s Nature Restoration Law (NRL), enacted in 2024, offers a model for addressing India’s environmental crises effectively.
EU NATURE RESTORATION LAW:
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- Restoration targets: At least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas must be restored by 2030, with all ecosystems needing restoration to be addressed by 2050.
- Ecosystem focus: The law covers many ecosystems, including forests, agricultural lands, rivers, and urban spaces.
- Specific measures: These include restoring 25,000 kilometers of rivers to free-flowing status and planting three billion additional trees by 2030.
- National restoration plans: EU member states must develop and submit national restoration plans.
INDIA’S ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES:
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- Land degradation: Nearly 29.7% of India’s total geographical area (97.85 million hectares) underwent land degradation in 2018-19, an increase from 94.53 million hectares in 2003-05.
- Desertification: 83.69 million hectares were affected by desertification in 2018-19.
- Regional impact: Key states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan account for 23.79% of India’s desertified land area.
PROPOSED NATURE RESTORATION LAW FOR INDIA: Drawing inspiration from the EU’s Nature Restoration Law, it would set legally binding targets for ecosystem restoration across various landscapes.
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- Restoration Targets: The law would mandate the restoration of 20% of India’s degraded land by 2030 to restore all ecosystems by 2050. This target would encompass forests, wetlands, rivers, agricultural lands, and urban green spaces. The law would align with India’s commitment to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
- Wetland Restoration: A key focus would be the restoration of critical wetlands such as the Sundarbans and Chilika Lake, which play vital roles in supporting biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The law would target restoring 30% of degraded wetlands by 2030. This aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to rehabilitate degraded lands and enhance ecosystem services.
- Biodiversity in Agriculture: The law would promote agroforestry and sustainable farming practices to restore farmlands. To track progress, it would introduce biodiversity indicators, such as butterfly or bird indices. This approach would complement existing initiatives like the distribution of Soil Health Cards, which have already led to a decline in chemical fertilizer use and increased productivity.
- Urban Green Spaces: The law would mandate no net loss of city green spaces. It would promote the development of urban forests in metropolitan areas like Bengaluru and Delhi, which face challenges such as heat islands and declining air quality. This would align with current urban greening initiatives like the Nagar Van Yojana.
- River Restoration: The law would prioritize the restoration of free-flowing rivers, starting with significant waterways like the Ganga and Yamuna. It would address pollution and remove obstructions to the natural flow. This would build upon programs like the National Mission for Clean Ganga and other watershed development initiatives.
THE CHALLENGES:
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- Scale and diversity: India’s vast geographical area and diverse ecosystems present a significant challenge for implementing a uniform restoration strategy.
- Land ownership complexities: The fragmented nature of land ownership in India, especially in agricultural areas, could complicate restoration efforts.
- Financial constraints: Securing adequate funding for large-scale restoration projects may be challenging, particularly given India’s competing developmental priorities.
- Technical capacity: A shortage of skilled personnel and technical expertise might be required for ecosystem restoration across different landscapes.
- Political will: Ensuring consistent political support across different states and administrations, as the EU’s experience with the Nature Restoration Act shows, could be problematic.
STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION
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- Phased approach: Implement the law in stages, starting with pilot projects in critical ecosystems before scaling nationwide.
- Customized targets: Set region-specific restoration targets for local ecological conditions and socio-economic factors.
- Integrated planning: Align the Nature Restoration Law with existing environmental initiatives and development plans to ensure coherence and efficiency.
- Innovative financing: Explore public-private partnerships, green bonds, and international climate finance to fund restoration projects.
- Capacity building: Invest in training programs and knowledge sharing to build a skilled workforce for ecosystem restoration.
- Monitoring and reporting: Establish a robust system for monitoring progress and reporting results, like the EU’s approach.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS:
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- Agricultural productivity: Restoring degraded lands would enhance agricultural productivity.
- Job creation: The restoration efforts could create millions of jobs, particularly in rural areas. Job creation in rural areas would improve livelihoods and potentially reduce rural-urban migration.
- Economic returns: Nature restoration could generate significant financial returns. Globally, it’s estimated to create up to $10 trillion annually by 2030.
- Climate resilience: Restored ecosystems would help mitigate the effects of climate change, making communities more resilient.
- Alignment with SDGs: The law would directly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 15, which calls for sustainable forest management and combating desertification.
- Alignment with International Commitments: India could better meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement by enhancing carbon sinks through ecosystem restoration. The law could help India achieve its target of restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, as announced at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
THE CONCLUSION:
Adopting a Nature Restoration Law in India, inspired by the EU’s framework, could significantly enhance ecosystem restoration and socio-economic development. Such legislation would help restore India’s degraded landscapes, bolster climate resilience, and support sustainable development goals.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:
Q.1 Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. 2013
Q.2 What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. 2018
Q.3 Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and the government’s initiatives. 2024
MAIN PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 Discuss the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a Nature Restoration Law in India, drawing inspiration from the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law.
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