Seventh National Report to Convention on Biological Diversity

Context:

Recently, The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has submitted India’s Seventh National Report (NR-7) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), reaffirming the country’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

About the report:

Submission of national reports is a mandatory obligation under Article 26 of the CBD, and India has consistently complied in a timely manner

The report is aligned with:

- India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2030)
- The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)

It provides an indicator-based assessment using 142 indicators mapped across 23 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs), with inputs from 33 ministries, states, and research institutions. Importantly, India reports that all 23 NBTs are “on track to achieve.”

Major Achievements:

India has made significant progress in biodiversity conservation:

- Forest & Tree Cover: 25.17% of geographical area
- Ramsar Wetlands: Increased from 26 (2014) to 98 (2026)

The conservation network includes:

- 106 National Parks, 574 Wildlife Sanctuaries
- 58 Tiger Reserves, 33 Elephant Reserves

India supports:

- 3,682 tigers (over 70% of global population)
- 4,014 one-horned rhinos
- 22,446 elephants
- 891 Asiatic lions
- 718 snow leopards

Additionally, 6,327 river dolphins were recorded under Project Dolphin.

Governance & Community Participation:

The report emphasizes a “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” approach:

- Over 2.76 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)
- 2.72 lakh People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs)
- 5,600+ Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) agreements (₹140 crore disbursed)

Technological tools like GIS, drones, camera traps, and DNA-based monitoring are increasingly used.

Digital governance is strengthened through PARIVESH portal, while initiatives like Mission LiFE and “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” promote citizen participation.

Legal & Institutional Framework:

India’s biodiversity conservation is backed by strong laws such as:

- Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- Environment Protection Act, 1986

The strategy integrates in-situ and ex-situ conservation, covering ecosystems and agrobiodiversity.

Significance:

India’s NR-7 demonstrates robust progress in conservation, restoration, and governance reforms. As a megadiverse country, its performance is crucial for global biodiversity goals.

About Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

· Adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit

· Legally binding international treaty

Objectives

1. Conservation of biodiversity

2. Sustainable use

3. Fair and equitable benefit sharing

Prelims points:

CBD → 1992 treaty

· The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a multilateral environmental treaty adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

· It came into force in 1993 and has near-universal membership.

NR-7 → mandatory report under Article 26

· Under Article 26 of CBD, countries must periodically submit National Reports.

· It is the primary source for global stocktaking of biodiversity progress.

KMGBF → 23 targets

· The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was adopted in 2022 (COP-15).

· It is the current global roadmap (post-Aichi) for biodiversity till 2030.

· Key structure:

o 4 long-term goals (2050 vision)

o 23 global targets to be achieved by 2030

Conclusion:

The report reflects India’s strong commitment to achieving CBD objectives and the 2030 biodiversity targets under KMGBF. Going forward, effective implementation and sustained community participation will be key to translating policy success into ecological outcomes.