India Reaffirms Biodiversity Commitment at CBD COP-17 in Armenia

India reaffirmed its commitment to global biodiversity conservation and the execution of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP-17). The summit took place in Yerevan, Armenia.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav delivered India's National Statement during the High-Level Segment. He called for international cooperation, equitable finance, technology transfer, and science-driven decision-making.

Key Ecological & Statutory Concepts:

1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): A multilateral treaty opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It has three primary goals: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.
2. Updated NBSAP: India updated its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to align with global goals. The framework contains 23 National Biodiversity Targets and 142 tracking indicators.
3. Cali Fund & Digital Sequence Information (DSI): A multilateral financial mechanism established under the CBD to oversee fair access and benefit-sharing from digital genetic resource data.
4. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs): Local village-level statutory bodies established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. They compile People's Biodiversity Registers (PBR) and enforce Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) rights.

India's Conservation Network Figures

Addressing the summit, the Environment Minister presented updated data detailing India's expanding network of protected areas and conservation zones:

• 1,134 Protected Areas: Encompassing National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves across diverse biomes.
• 103 Ramsar Sites: Designated wetlands of international importance protected under the 1971 Ramsar Convention.
• 57 Biodiversity Heritage Sites: Unique, fragile ecosystems notified by state governments under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act.
• 18 Biosphere Reserves: Large ecological areas, with 13 included in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) World Network.

Key National Ecosystem Restoration Initiatives

India highlighted three flagship national initiatives that support ecosystem restoration and rural livelihoods: 

1. MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes): Focuses on mangrove reforestation along India's coastline and salt-pan lands using MGNREGS and CAMPA funds.
2. Amrit Dharohar: A scheme launched to conserve wetland ecosystems, enhance carbon sinks, and create sustainable ecotourism livelihoods around Ramsar sites.
3. Soil Health Card Scheme: Promotes sustainable agricultural practices and balances soil nutrient health across farming communities.

Global Alliances and Citizen Movements

India emphasized global partnership through the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), launched to conserve seven major big-cat species: lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, jaguar, cheetah, and clouded leopard.

Additionally, campaigns such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam mobilize public participation in tree planting and natural resource conservation.

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