India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024–30

India presented its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2024–30 (NBSAP 2024–30) at COP16 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) held in Cali, Colombia – 2024. This initiative reflects India’s strong commitment to biodiversity conservation and aligns with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

Background

• Under Article 6 of UNCBD, each Party is required to develop and update its NBSAP.
• India’s NBSAP Journey:

Vision & Approach

• “Whole of Government, Whole of Society” approach – engaging government, industry, communities, and civil society.
• Alignment with the three key pillars of Kunming–Montreal Framework:
  • Reduction of threats to biodiversity
  • Sustainable use of natural resources
  • Effective means and financial mechanisms for implementation

National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs)

• 23 national targets have been set.
• Classified under three main areas:
  • Threat Reduction – addressing ecological degradation, invasive species, pollution, etc.
  • Sustainable Utilisation – equitable and sustainable use of natural resources.
  • Means of Implementation – science, policy, finance, and institutional collaboration.

Implementation Framework

• Central Agency: Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
• Institutional Structure:

Resource Mobilisation

• India is among the key countries implementing BIOFIN (Biodiversity Finance Initiative).
• BIOFIN (UNDP + EU Commission):
  • Objective: Identify and expand financial flows for biodiversity conservation.
  • India is working to link it with national budget, CSR, green bonds, and international cooperation.

Other Key Features

1. Ecosystem-based Management: Restoration based on ecosystems and bottom-up policy making at local levels.
2. Biodiversity Mainstreaming: Integration of biodiversity considerations into agriculture, water, industry, urban planning, and tourism policies.
3. Data & Monitoring: Establishment of biodiversity databases and transparent monitoring & reporting systems.
4. Public Participation & Education: Promoting environmental education in schools, panchayats, and urban bodies.

Importance & Impact

Other Related Initiatives

1. Biodiversity Regulations, 2004: Defines NBA’s role – agreements with foreign entities, IPR protection, etc.
2. State-level Initiatives:
   • Arunachal Pradesh issued the first State Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan, including district-level implementation plans.
3. People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR):
   • Documentation of biodiversity resources by local communities.