India updates biodiversity action plan, to conserve 30pc areas by 2030 [Video]

India has updated its biodiversity action plan and has committed to conserve 30 per cent of its terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas by 2030.

The updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was unveiled at the 16th UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, and had 23 national targets.

The targets are aligned with the 23 global goals set under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) — adopted at the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference in Canada in 2022.

Protecting at least 30 per cent of the world’s land and ocean areas by 2030 is a key goal of KM-GBF. It will also work to restore degraded ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, and rivers, to ensure they continue providing essential resources like clean water and air.

The updated NBSAP showed that from 2017-2018 to 2021-2022, India spent around Rs. 32,200 crore on biodiversity protection, conservation, and restoration.

It projects that the annual expenditure for biodiversity conservation through 2029-2030 will reach Rs. 81,664.88 crore.

India’s …