NEW DELHI: India has pledged to effectively restore at least 30% of its degraded terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas by 2030, aligning with both national biodiversity targets and the global 30×30 initiative. To meet these updated commitments through 2029-30, the country estimates it will need an annual investment of ₹81,664 crore.
This commitment was announced during the 16th session of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, where nations are discussing various strategies to protect nature, including financial mechanisms to support these efforts. India’s updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) outlines 23 national biodiversity targets that align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to protect 30% of the planet by 2030.
India reported spending approximately ₹32,207 crore annually on biodiversity conservation and restoration between 2017-2018 and 2021-2022. The 23 targets focus on minimizing biodiversity threats, promoting sustainable resource use, and improving implementation tools. Each target is associated with strategies that enhance ecosystem resilience, species recovery, and sustainable management practices.
India’s diverse ecosystems and species, with over 55,000 plant taxa and 100,000 animal species, underscore its role as a megadiverse country, essential for global biodiversity and ecological health. The updated NBSAP emphasizes the importance of both in-situ and ex-situ conservation efforts, highlighting protected areas and community initiatives.
Despite these efforts, the financing of biodiversity initiatives remains a significant challenge. The NBSAP stresses the need for innovative resource mobilization and the establishment of a comprehensive biodiversity monitoring framework to track progress toward national goals and assess the ecological health across India.
