Conservation Efforts: Shortcomings in Marine Protection; International Index Ranks India Among Top Five Worst Performers
India’s conservation efforts under scrutiny as new global index reveals shortcomings, especially in marine protection.
India has ranked among the five worst performers in conservation efforts according to the Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024, which was released on October 24. Out of 180 countries evaluated, India holds the 176th position, with a score of 45.5, only ahead of Micronesia (177), Iraq (178), Turkey (179), and Kiribati (180).
The NCI is the first global ranking system designed to assess countries’ conservation efforts, using 25 indicators spread across four main categories:
1. Land Management
2. Threats to Biodiversity
3. Nature and Conservation Governance
4. Future Trends in Resource Management
Each theme consists of multiple factors, such as the coverage and effectiveness of protected areas, measures to prevent habitat fragmentation, sustainable agricultural practices, and governance capacity.
The Index highlights that while India has done well in certain areas, it faces significant challenges in others:
Strengths: India excelled in the “Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas,” achieving a perfect score of 100 out of 100. This measures how well protected regions capture the diversity of ecosystems, placing India alongside other countries like Brazil and Indonesia.
Weaknesses: The country’s marine conservation efforts were a major drawback. India scored 0 in both the protection of marine areas and species conservation in marine ecosystems. Additionally, its land management practices showed vulnerabilities, with low scores for terrestrial and marine protected area coverage.
The NCI was created to provide a standardised global assessment of conservation efforts. Uri Roll, a professor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, explained that the Index aims to offer actionable insights for global biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. According to Roll, India’s performance highlights both the complexity and importance of managing a diverse landscape, especially given the country’s high population density and industrial pressures.
Conservation Commitments and Future Outlook
India’s commitment to international treaties like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was praised. Despite political challenges, the report noted India’s stable democratic framework as a positive factor for ongoing conservation efforts. However, issues like illegal wildlife trade, excessive pesticide use, and conversion of forest lands for industrial purposes remain areas of concern.
Recommendations for Improvement
The report stresses the need for enhanced protection of India’s marine ecosystems and the importance of maintaining healthy soils to support biodiversity. It also urges India to limit forest-to-industrial land conversions and tackle illegal wildlife trading to safeguard its unique habitats.
The NCI uses data from reputable sources like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Bank, and Yale’s Environmental Performance Index. The report is designed to be transparent and invites the public to contribute corrections or additional data with credible citations.
Balancing Conservation and Development
India’s conservation journey is a balancing act between safeguarding its diverse natural heritage and supporting a growing population. The 2024 Index underscores the need for more robust policies, particularly in the area of marine conservation, to ensure a sustainable future for the country’s ecosystems.