Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, presented India’s national statement on biodiversity conservation at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia, on October 29, 2024. Addressing the High-Level Segment, the Minister reiterated India’s deep-rooted cultural connection to environmental stewardship and its proactive global role in conservation initiatives.
Emphasis on Cultural Heritage and Biodiversity Initiatives
Shri Singh congratulated Colombia’s Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad, on assuming the COP Presidency, acknowledging her vision for biodiversity conservation. He noted India’s unique position as one of 17 mega-diverse countries, highlighting the nation’s four globally recognized biodiversity hotspots and its cultural legacy of reverence for nature dating back to the Vedic era. This tradition, he said, is embodied in the government’s ‘Plant4Mother’ campaign, a nationwide tree-planting initiative launched on World Environment Day, honouring Mother Earth akin to a maternal figure. Key Conservation Initiatives and Milestones
India’s efforts to restore its natural ecosystems are visible in several high-profile projects, including:
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): Formed to protect seven major global big cat species, underscoring India’s leadership in wildlife conservation and ecosystem health.
Namami Gange Mission: Recognized by the United Nations as a World Restoration Flagship, this mission works to revitalize the sacred Ganga River ecosystem through extensive restoration efforts.
Expansion of Ramsar Sites: India’s designated Ramsar sites have increased significantly, from 26 in 2014 to 85 today, with plans to reach 100 sites soon.
Launch of the Updated National Biodiversity Strategy
In alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), Shri Singh announced that India’s revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) will be unveiled on October 30, 2024. The plan integrates a ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach, ensuring national and global biodiversity goals are met through a cohesive effort across sectors.
The Minister called for accelerated financial support, technology sharing, and capacity building, citing KMGBF’s target 19 as essential for successfully implementing NBSAP and other conservation initiatives. He emphasized that the breadth and urgency of global biodiversity targets demand a response that is both swift and scalable.
Vision for the Future
Concluding his statement, Shri Singh reaffirmed India’s dedication to preserving biodiversity globally, guided by the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – One Earth, One Family, One Future. India’s contributions to COP16 exemplify the nation’s holistic approach to safeguarding biodiversity, setting a benchmark for collaborative, sustainable environmental action on the global stage.