Mains Marathon

Approach :

• Briefly explain the importance of biodiversity for planetary health.
• List the key objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
• Discuss how India has revised its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to align with KMGBF’s transformative vision.
• Conclude with a suitable way forward.

Introduction:

Biodiversity, often termed the “silent architect” of planetary health, is vital for ecological balance, food security, climate regulation, and human well-being. Yet, its accelerating loss threatens global sustainability. In response, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted at CBD COP-15 (2022), aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), India has revised its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to align with KMGBF and integrate biodiversity into national development planning.

Body :

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: The KMGBF outlines four goals and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030. These include:

• Target 3: Protecting 30% of land and sea areas (30x30 target).
• Target 2 & 12: Restoration of degraded ecosystems and sustainable use.
• Target 13: Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
• Target 19: Mobilisation of financial resources for biodiversity.
• Goal A–D: Aim to ensure genetic diversity, sustainable use, equitable benefit-sharing, and robust biodiversity governance by 2050.

India’s Revised NBSAP: The updated NBSAP outlines 23 National Biodiversity Targets aligned with the KMGBF’s global objectives. Key targets include:

• Conservation Areas: Aiming for 30% of areas to be effectively conserved to enhance biodiversity.
• Invasive Species Management: Targeting a 50% reduction in the introduction and establishment of invasive alien species.
• Sustainable Consumption: Enabling sustainable consumption choices and reducing food waste by half.
• Pollution Reduction: Committing to reduce pollution, halving nutrient loss and pesticide risk.
• Benefit Sharing: Promoting fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, digital sequence information, and associated traditional knowledge.

Challenges:

• Implementation Challenges:
  • Institutional gaps at the state and local levels hinder enforcement.
• Data and Monitoring Constraints:
  • Lack of updated species inventories and weak monitoring mechanisms make it hard to measure progress against KMGBF targets.
• Conflict with Development Goals:
  • Projects like the Great Nicobar Island Development, infrastructure expansion, and mining in ecologically sensitive areas raise concerns over prioritising growth over conservation.
• Finance and Capacity:
  • Local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) often lack adequate financial and technical capacity to implement conservation measures effectively.

Conclusion:

India’s revised NBSAP represents a robust attempt to align national priorities with the global biodiversity agenda under KMGBF. Its emphasis on decentralisation, community engagement, and inter-sectoral integration reflects a holistic vision. However, effective implementation, capacity building, and conflict resolution between development and conservation remain critical.