TAG: GS-3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
THE CONTEXT:
India ranks 176th in the Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024, with a score of 45.5 out of 100. This places India among the five worst performers globally, alongside Kiribati, Turkey, Iraq, and Micronesia. The NCI was released on October 24, 2024, and assesses conservation efforts across 180 countries.
EXPLANATION:
The Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024:
- The NCI was launched in October 2024 by the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University and BioDB.com. It helps governments and organizations identify issues and improve their conservation policies.
Evaluation Metrics: The index evaluates conservation efforts based on four markers:
- Land management
- Threats to biodiversity
- Capacity and governance
- Future trends
India’s Ranking
- Global Rank: India is ranked 176th out of 180 countries, classified among the five worst performers in the Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI).
- Score: India received a score of 45.5 out of 100.
Comparative Ranking
The other countries in the bottom five include:
-
- Kiribati (180)
- Turkey (179)
- Iraq (178)
- Micronesia (177)
India’s Conservation Challenges
- India’s low ranking is primarily due to poor land management and increasing threats to biodiversity. The country has converted 53% of its land for urban, industrial, and agricultural use. The NCI marks several problems:
- High Pesticide Use: This contributes to soil pollution.
- Sustainable Nitrogen Index: Currently at 0.77, indicating a need for improvement in soil health.
Global Sustainable Development Goals: India’s NCI findings align with issues raised in the latest global progress report on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The country struggles with SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG 15 (Life on land).
Future Trends and Opportunities
- The index notes both challenges and opportunities for India’s biodiversity. With one of the highest population densities globally and a population that has doubled since the late 1970s, ecological wealth is under threat. India is also the fourth-largest illegal wildlife trader, with annual sales of around £15 billion. The index calls for stronger enforcement and international cooperation to combat this issue.
- Strong political will is crucial for effective conservation. This includes passing laws that promote sustainable development and securing funding for environmental initiatives. With commitment and action can address its conservation challenges and work towards a sustainable future.
About the Key Findings
- Land Management: Inefficient land management is a major factor contributing to India’s low score.
- Urbanization Impact: 53% of land has been converted for urban, industrial, and agricultural purposes, leading to environmental degradation.
- Pesticide Use: High pesticide usage and soil pollution pose serious risks to biodiversity.
- Soil Health: A sustainable nitrogen index of 0.77 indicates significant soil pollution issues that need to be addressed.
Marine Conservation
- Protected Areas: Only 0.2% of India’s national waterways are covered by protected areas, with none in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- Terrestrial Protection: While 7.5% of terrestrial territory is protected, marine conservation efforts need substantial improvement.
Biodiversity Threats
- Habitat Loss: Biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation due to agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure development.
- Deforestation: Between 2001 and 2019, India lost 23,300 sq. km of tree cover due to deforestation.
- Climate Change: Climate change is adversely affecting sensitive ecosystems such as alpine regions and coral reefs.
Population Impact
- Species Decline: 40% of marine species and 65% of terrestrial species are within Protected Areas (PAs), but significant population declines continue.
- Marine Species Decline: 67.5% of marine species and 46.9% of terrestrial species are experiencing population declines.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Challenges in SDGs: India faces major challenges in achieving SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG 15 (Life on land).
Future Trends and Challenges
- Biodiversity Challenges: India’s high population density and growth threaten its ecological wealth, creating ongoing biodiversity challenges.
- Illegal Wildlife Trade: India is the fourth-largest illegal wildlife trader globally, with annual sales worth around £15 billion.
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