Lok Sabha Question No. 3654 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Conservation of Biodiversity
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 3654

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2018

## Conservation of Biodiversity

## 3654.  SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK; DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT; DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (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?

## ANSWER

## 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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## India's National Biodiversity Targets

| Icon   | National Biodiversity Targets                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        | By 2020, a significant proportion of the country's population, especially youth, is aware of the values of biodiversity and its conservation and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably. |
|        | By 2020, values of biodiversity conservation are integrated in national and state planning processes, development programmes and poverty alleviation strategies.                                             |
|        | Strategies for reducing rate of degradation, fragmentation and loss of all natural habitats finalized and actions put in place by 2020 for environmental amelioration and human well-being.                  |
|        | 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.                                   |
|        | By 2020, measures are adopted for sustainable management of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.                                                                                                             |

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| Icon   | National Biodiversity Targets                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|--------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        | 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 integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes covering over 20% of the geographic area of the country by 2020. |
|        | By 2020, genetic diversity of cultivated plants, farm livestock, and also of 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.                                                                                                                                           |
|        | By 2020, ecosystems 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.                                                                                                                                                                               |
|        | By 2015, Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization as per Nagoya Protocol are operational, consistent with national legislations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|        | By 2020, an effective, participatory and updated national biodiversity action plan is made operational at different levels of governance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|        | By 2020, national initiatives using communities' traditional knowledge relating to biodiversity are strengthened, with the view to protecting this knowledge in accordance with the national legislations and international obligations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |

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| Icon   | National Biodiversity Targets                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        | By 2020, opportunities to increase the availability of financial, human and technical resources to facilitate the effective implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the national targets are identified and Strategy for Resource Mobilization is adopted by 2020. |