Lok Sabha Question No. 2187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: National Biodiversity Strategy
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan, Shri Praveen Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2187

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## National Biodiversity Strategy

## 2187.   SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL: SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:

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

- (a) the  highlights  and  salient  objectives  of  the  newly  unveiled  National  Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan;
- (b) the details of the Government's plan to engage local communities and stakeholders in the implementation of this strategy to enhance biodiversity conservation efforts;
- (c) whether the updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan covers sustainable use of wild species, management of ecosystem services, better access to green spaces for urban residents, fair sharing of biodiversity benefits, and encouraging public support for biodiversity conservation; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) to (d) India updated and submitted its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan on 31st October 2024 on the Convention on Biological Diversity Portal during the recently concluded CBD COP-16 at Cali, Colombia. The Action Plan is fully aligned  with  the  goals  and  targets  set  under  the  Kunming  Montreal  Global Diversity  Framework  (KMGBF),  to  be  implemented  in  accordance  with  the national circumstances, priorities and capabilities.

The plan has been updated through a wider consultative process conducted across the  country  involving  23  central  Ministries,  several  national  and  state-level organizations, communities,  and  other  stakeholders following  a  Whole-ofGovernment and Whole-of-Society approach. It summarizes the country's efforts towards conservation of biodiversity, highlighting achievements, identifying gaps and threats, and describes strategies and result- oriented action points to achieve the targets.  The  plan also provides  an insight into the current status of biodiversity across the country and trends therein, existing policy and institutional framework, biodiversity expenditure and potentially possible biodiversity finance solutions.

The  NBSAP  ensures  effective  stakeholder  participation  inclusive  of  women, youth, marginalized, and vulnerable sections of the society, decentralized responsibilities,  devolved  power  and  authority,  and  intergenerational  equity  in planning and implementation.

India's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is aligned with the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which has 4 goals and 23 targets. Itcomprehensively addresses conservation, sustainable use, and benefit  sharingandenvisages  protecting  terrestrial  and  marine  areas,  restoring degraded ecosystems and reducing biodiversity threats through pollution control and  invasive  species  management.  Key  priorities  include  species  conservation, sustainable  utilization  of  wild  species,  enhanced  management  of  ecosystem services, improved access to green spaces in urban areas, and the development of wildlife corridors to reduce habitat fragmentation. Additionally, the plan emphasizes active community participation in biodiversity governance to ensure inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

*****