Over the past few decades, biodiversity has faced increasing pressure worldwide due to various factors such as habitat fragmentation, development needs, unsustainable consumption patterns, and more recently, global warming. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a scientific evaluation conducted from 2001 to 2005, revealed that human activities have caused changes and declines in biodiversity at a faster rate in the last fifty years than ever before in human history. This global concern for biodiversity loss led to the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) during the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. With 193 countries as Parties, the CBD has achieved near universal membership. The governing body of the Convention, known as the Conference of the Parties, works towards implementing the CBD through decisions made at its biennial meetings.
India is one of the Parties to the CBD. The Convention has three main objectives: conserving biodiversity, promoting the sustainable use of its components, and ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of genetic resources. The CBD is the first comprehensive global agreement that addresses all aspects related to biodiversity. For India, the conservation of its biodiversity is of utmost importance, not only because it provides essential goods and services for human survival, but also because it directly contributes to improving the socio-economic conditions and livelihoods of millions of people. By prioritizing biodiversity conservation, India aims to achieve sustainable development and alleviate poverty.
India, as previously mentioned, is a renowned megadiverse nation that boasts a wealth of biodiversity. Despite facing significant pressures from its diverse range of living organisms, India still manages to preserve 7-8% of the world's biodiversity. While many developing countries have experienced a decline in forest coverage, India has actually increased its forest and tree cover by approximately 3 million hectares over the past three decades. This commendable achievement can be attributed to India's robust legal and policy framework concerning biodiversity. Noteworthy recent initiatives in this regard include the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, Forests Rights Act, and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Internationally, India is widely recognized as a trailblazer and influencer in biodiversity matters, playing a significant role on the global stage. When it comes to biodiversity, India's voice carries weight and authority.
