Pathways to Diversity

Context: The recent United Nations Summit on Biodiversity reiterates the pandemic recovery strategy that must be greened

Issues with Biodiversity Conservation: as noted in the summit

• The member nations of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) noted the link between biodiversity loss and the spread of animal pathogens, calling for an end to destructive industrial and commercial practices. 

• The failure to achieve Aichi conservation targets due in 2020; None of the targets has been fully met (UN Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 report)

• Aichi Targets which were not achieved - 

• Reform or phasing out of subsidies that erode biodiversity. 
• Steps for resource use within safe ecological limits.
• Preventing industrial ?sheries from destroying threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems.
• An end to pollution, including growing plastic waste. 

• Ignored connection between biodiversity and wellbeing: Many countries have choose to deplete ecological capital in pursuit of ?nancial prosperity. 

• While in India, the National laws of the ’70s and ’80s have shielded islands of biodiversity, they are today seen as an irritant to the speedy extraction of natural resources.
• E.g.: lack of consultation in envisaging the new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms.
• There is little concern for indigenous communities that have fostered biodiversity, and no e?ort to make them strong partners in improving the health of forests and bu?er zones. 

• A decline in vertebrate population: WWF’s Living Planet Index, points to a precipitous reduction in invertebrate populations, a key indicator, by 68% over 1970 levels.

Way Forward: 

• Plan a trajectory of green growth inline with the Paris Agreement: India can plan its recovery inclusive of clean energy, ecological agriculture, a freeze on expansion of mining and dam building, resource recovery from waste, and regeneration of arid lands. 

• Join the coalition of the enlightened. 

• Expanding the bright spot in Biodiveristy Conservation: Take forward the partial progress made on protecting surface and subsurface water, inland, coastal and marine areas.