Question : Conservation of Biodiversity

(a) whether India developed 12 national biodiversity targets using Aichi targets as a framework to conserve its biodiversity and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether India constituted only 4.9 per cent of the total terrestrial land and inland waters under the network of protected areas which is far below the Aichi target of 17 per cent for terrestrial land by 2020, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Union Government has asked state Governments to work in tandem with fisheries, activities of the Navy and other sustainable industrial development to at least declare them under conservation reserves for better protection, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the other steps taken by the Government to meet the international target of identifying wildlife and marine protected areas by 2020?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) India has developed 12 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) in line with the global Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The Strategic Plan and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets provide an overarching framework for the purpose of inspiring broad-based action in support of biodiversity over the decade by all countries and stakeholders. India’s 12 NBTs are listed in the Annexure.

(b) The Aichi target 11 and the corresponding NBT 6 relates to conservation through protected areas as well as other area based conservation measures, which include managed forests such as Reserved Forests, Protected Forests etc. Taking into consideration such other area based conservation measures, along with protected areas designated under the Wild Life (Protection) Act (that constitute 4.93% of the geographical area), India has over 20% of the total geographical area under biodiversity conservation, thereby exceeding the global Aichi target of 17% of terrestrial areas based conservation.

(c) and (d) The States/Union Territories Governments are empowered to declare Conservation Reserves in accordance with the provisions of Section 36 A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) of the Government of India has a dedicated chapter on ‘Strengthening and Improving the Protected Area Network’. At present, there are 25 marine protected areas in the peninsular region and 106 marine protected areas in the islands of the country.

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