More Species on IUCN

More Species on IUCN

News:

India’s sixth national report (NR 6) submitted to Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD) says on track to meet national biodiversity targets but more animal species documented under Critically Endangered, Endangered and Threatened categories of IUCN Red List

Important Facts:

Objective of Report: to provide information on measures taken domestically to conserve biodiversity

Highlights of Biodiversity NR6:

• India accounts for 683 animal species under Critically Endangered, Endangered and Threatened categories in 2018 (NR6) as compared to 646 species in 2014(NR5)
• Habitat fragmentation, overexploitation of resources, shrinking genetic diversity, invasive alien species, declining forest resource base, climate change and desertification, impact of development projects and impact of pollution are threats to genetic diversity
• Achievements: (a)About 3,655 floral and 1,693 faunal newly discovered species added to biodiversity since 2014; India has more than 100,000 species (ZSI) (b)India's marine ecosystem hosts about 20,444
• faunal species(c) India hold two-third of world total tigers, increment in population of Lion( 520) , Elephants (30,000), One-horned Rhino (2400)
• India is working on preventing species extinction by developing landscape and sea-based approach.

Biodiversity Issue: Non-effective implementation of ABS (Access and Benefit Sharing ) mechanism of

Nagoya Protocol under Biodiversity Act. ABS refers to way in which Companies, Researcher can access genetic resources and how the benefits from such resources can be shared with local communities for conserving such resources

National Biodiversity Targets: India’s 12 national biodiversity targets include creating awareness about biodiversity, enforcing policies to document, and conserving biological resources

Additional Facts: India is among 17 megadiverse countries.