Lok Sabha Question No. 1142 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-28
Subject: Conservation of Bio-diversity
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Poonam (Mahajan) Vajendla Rao

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 1142

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.06.2019

## Conservation of Bio-diversity

## 1142.  SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN

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

- (a) whether the Government has set any targets under Convention on Biological Diversity for conservation of bio-diversity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details regarding achievement of the targets set in this regard;
- (d) whether there have been any roadblocks causing the delay in timely achievement  of the set targets; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE    IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) and (b) India has developed 12 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) in line with the global  Strategic  Plan(SP)  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 promoting broad-based action in support of biodiversity over the decade by all countries and stakeholders. India's 12 NBTs are listed in the Annexure.

(c) to (e) Several  policies,  programmes,  and  initiatives  of  the  Government  related  to biodiversity contribute towards  achievement  of  the NBTs.  India  has  made  significant contributions  especially  towards  attainment  of  NBT  6  corresponding  to  Aichi  target  11, relating  to  protected  areas  and  other  area  based  conservation  measures.  With  well  over  20 percent  of  its  geographical  area  under  biodiversity  conservation,  India  has  exceeded  the terrestrial component of 17% of Aichi target 11 and 20% of NBT 6.  With only 2.4 percent of the world's land area supporting nearly 18 percent of human population, this is a significant achievement.  India by operationalising the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing has also achieved the NBT 9 corresponding to Aichi target 16.  India has reported progress towards achievement of biodiversity targets in its sixth national report to the Convention on Biological Diversity submitted in December 2018, which is available at the link https://chm.cbd.int/database/record?documentID=241351. There are no specific shortcomings causing delay in achievement of the targets.

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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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|        | 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 |

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| Icon   | National Biodiversity Targets                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|--------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        | 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.                                                                                  |
|        | 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.                            |