The
resources of the earth are exhausted. Human consumes more than the earth’s
capacity to reproduce the resource. This problem fetched the attention of
environmentalist and some scientist. They created awareness, and after constant
efforts, in 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on
a comprehensive strategy for “sustainable development”. Sustainable development
meant using the resources in a manner where our needs are fulfilled but at the
same time we leave a healthy and viable world and resources for future
generations. The outcomes of meetings were many, and one of the key agreements
adopted at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity.
What
is the Convention of Biological Diversity?
The
Convention on Biological Diversity or CBD is the international legal instrument
for “the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its
components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of
the utilization of genetic resources” that has been ratified by 196 nations.
Biodiversity
generally refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth. According to
the United Nations Environment Programme, biodiversity typically measures
variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem level. Therefore, the
Convention on Biological Diversity protects this biological- diversity of
species.
India
and CBD
India
submitted its Sixth National Report to the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) in the last week of December 2018. India is among the first
five countries in the world, the first in Asia and the first among the
biodiversity-rich mega diverse countries to have submitted the report.
The submission of national
reports is a mandatory obligation on parties to international treaties,
including the CBD. As a responsible nation, India has never reneged on its
international commitments and has earlier submitted on time five national
reports to the CBD.
What
is in the report?
The
report provides an update of progress in achievement of 12 National
Biodiversity Targets (NBT) developed under the convention process in line
with the 20 global Aichi biodiversity targets.
The
report highlights that while India has exceeded/ overachieved two NBTs, it is
on track to achieve eight NBTs and with respect to two remaining NBTs, the
country is striving to meet the targets by the stipulated time of 2020.
According
to the report, India has exceeded the terrestrial component of 17% of Aichi
target 11, and 20% of corresponding NBT relating to areas under biodiversity
management.
Also,
India has been investing a huge amount on biodiversity directly or indirectly
through several development schemes of the central and state governments, to
the tune of Rs 70,000 crores per annum as against the estimated annual
requirement of nearly Rs 1,09,000 crore.
What
are Aichi Targets?
The
‘Aichi Targets’ were adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
at its Nagoya conference. It is a short term plan provides a set of
20ambitious yet achievable targets, collectively known as the Aichi Targets.
They can be divided into:
Strategic
Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity
loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society.
Strategic
Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity
and promote sustainable use.
Strategic
Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by
safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity.
Strategic
Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity
and ecosystem services.
Strategic
Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory
planning, knowledge management and capacity building.
India’s targets to achieve an improved status
of biodiversity, safeguarding ecosystem has to be achieved by following 12
national biodiversity targets, and those targets are-
1.
By 2020, a significant proportion of the
country’s population, especially the youth, is aware of the values of
biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.
2.
By 2020, values of biodiversity are integrated
into national and state planning processes, development programmes and poverty
alleviation strategies.
3.
Strategies for reducing the rate of
degradation, fragmentation and loss of all natural habitats are finalized and
actions put in place by 2020 for environmental amelioration and human
well-being.
4.
By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways
are identified and strategies to manage them developed so that populations of
prioritized invasive alien species are managed.
5.
By 2020, measures are adopted for sustainable
management of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
6.
Ecologically representative areas under
terrestrial and inland water, and also coastal and marine zones, especially
those of particular importance for species, biodiversity and ecosystem
services, are conserved effectively and equitably, based on protected area
designation and management and other area-based conservation measures and are
integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes, covering over 20% of the
geographic area of the country, by 2020.
7.
By 2020, genetic diversity of cultivated
plants, farm livestock, and their wild relatives, including other
socio-economically as well as culturally valuable species, is maintained, and
strategies have been developed and implemented for minimizing genetic erosion
and safeguarding their genetic diversity.
8.
By 2020, ecosystem services, especially those
relating to water, human health, livelihoods and well-being, are enumerated and
measures to safeguard them are identified, taking into account the needs of
women and local communities, particularly the poor and vulnerable sections.
9.
By 2015, Access to Genetic Resources and the
Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization as per
the Nagoya Protocol are operational, consistent with national legislation.
10.
By 2020, an effective, participatory and updated
national biodiversity action plan is made operational at different levels of
governance.
11.
By 2020, national initiatives using
communities’ traditional knowledge relating to biodiversity are strengthened,
with the view to protecting this knowledge in accordance with national
legislation and international obligations.
12.
By 2020, opportunities to increase the
availability of financial, human and technical resources to facilitate
effective implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the
national targets are identified and the Strategy for Resource Mobilization is
adopted.
.
