Why in the News?

India has been ranked 176th in the Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024 with a score of 45.5 out of 100, placing it among the five worst performers alongside Kiribati (180), Turkey (179), Iraq (178), and Micronesia (177).

Reasons for India’s Low Ranking:

High Rate of Land Conversion: 53% of India’s land is converted for urban, industrial, and agricultural purposes, contributing to deforestation and habitat fragmentation that severely impact biodiversity.
Soil Pollution: India’s sustainable nitrogen index is 0.77, indicating high levels of soil pollution primarily due to extensive pesticide use, threatening soil health and agricultural sustainability.
Minimal Marine Conservation: Only 0.2% of India’s national waterways are protected, with no protected areas in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), highlighting limited efforts in marine biodiversity conservation.
Illegal Wildlife Trade: India ranks as the fourth-largest illegal wildlife trader globally, with an estimated annual trade value of £15 billion, putting added pressure on vulnerable wildlife species.

About the Nature Conservation Index (NCI):

	Details
Developed By	Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
Purpose	To assess each country’s progress in balancing conservation and development through data-driven analysis.
Aim	To help governments, researchers, and organizations identify concerns and enhance conservation policies for long-term biodiversity protection.
Launch Date	Launched on October 24, 2024.
Scope	Ranks 180 countries based on their conservation efforts.
Pillars of the Index	• Managing Protected Areas • Addressing Threats Against Biodiversity • Nature and Conservation Governance • Future Trends in Natural Resource Management
Significance	Provides insights into conservation policies and practices, aiding in the global effort to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable development.

Key highlights of the reports:

Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Costa Rica, and New Zealand ranked highest, showing strong conservation practices and governance.
Nations with advanced climate adaptation policies (e.g., Sweden and Denmark) are better positioned to mitigate biodiversity risks from climate change.
Despite Protected Areas, 46.9% of terrestrial and 67.5% of marine species are in decline worldwide.
High-density nations such as Bangladesh and the Netherlands face intense biodiversity pressures, driving them to implement urban greening and sustainable practices.

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(d) The World Meteorological Organisation

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Wildlife Conservation Efforts

2024 Global Nature Conservation Index

Why in the News?

Reasons for India’s Low Ranking:

About the Nature Conservation Index (NCI):

Key highlights of the reports:

PYQ:

Why in the News?

Reasons for India’s Low Ranking:

About the Nature Conservation Index (NCI):

Key highlights of the reports:

PYQ:

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