2024 Global Nature Conservation Index: India ranked 176 out of 180 countries, labelled among worst performers

Sub: Env

Sec: Biodiversity

Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024:

India ranks 176th out of 180 countries in the first-ever Nature Conservation Index (NCI), with a score of 45.5/100, marking it as one of the five lowest performers alongside Kiribati, Turkey, Iraq, and Micronesia.
The NCI, launched in October 2024, was developed by the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change (Ben-Gurion University) and BioDB.com.
It assesses conservation efforts across four main areas:

India’s Key Challenges:

Land Management: India faces a high rate of land conversion (53%) for urban, industrial, and agricultural use. There is heavy pesticide usage, and soil health is at risk, as indicated by a sustainable nitrogen index of 0.77.
Marine Conservation: Only 0.2% of India’s national waterways are protected, and none within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), although 7.5% of terrestrial land is protected.
Habitat Loss: Significant habitat loss and fragmentation result from agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure. Between 2001-2019, India lost 23,300 sq. km of tree cover.
Biodiversity Decline: While 40% of marine species and 65% of terrestrial species live in Protected Areas, population declines are substantial, affecting 67.5% of marine and 46.9% of terrestrial species.
India struggles with SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG 15 (Life on land), highlighting the need for better marine and terrestrial biodiversity protection.

Future Trends and Concerns:

The report underscores India’s high population density, urban sprawl, and threats to its biodiversity and ecological balance.
India’s illegal wildlife trade ranks as the fourth-largest globally, valued at around £15 billion annually.

Path Forward:

To improve its conservation status, India must enhance political commitment, enforce stricter environmental laws, and secure funding for conservation projects.
The NCI is optimistic, suggesting that with strategic political action and investment, India can address these challenges and work toward a sustainable, ecologically sound future.

Source: DTE