7th National Biological Diversity Report

Why in News?

India has submitted its 7^th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), presenting a detailed national assessment of progress towards global biodiversity goals set for 2030.

What about the report and how it was prepared?

• About – It is the first full progress assessment since countries adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) in 2022.
• Purpose
  • It evaluates India’s performance against 23 national targets aligned with the KMGBF.
  • It acts as a reality check on how far India has come since the global roadmap was adopted.
  • It provided a broad picture of policy alignment, measurable progress, data trends and gaps in India’s biodiversity strategy.
• Prepared by the – Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Lead Agencies
  • Inputs came from 33 central ministries and departments.
  • National Biodiversity Authority provided technical coordination.
  • UNDP, under the Global Environment Facility’s GEF-8 Umbrella Programme, offered support.
  • The Wildlife Institute of India tracked progress on selected biodiversity targets.
• Data & Monitoring Framework – A digital NR7 data portal was created to compile information across 142 national indicators used to assess biodiversity progress.
• Consultation Process – Consultations with stakeholders were held throughout 2025, followed by expert reviews and validation workshops that continued into early 2026.
• Institutional Significance – The process reflects the development of a national institutional and technical framework for monitoring biodiversity outcomes.
• It strengthens India’s ability to track, evaluate, and report on biodiversity commitments.
• Global Biodiversity Roadmap – The KMGBF sets out 23 global biodiversity targets to be achieved by 2030.
• These include
  • Conserving 30% of the world’s land and seas
  • Restoring degraded ecosystems
  • Reducing pollution
  • Controlling invasive species
  • Halting human-induced species extinction.
• Importance of India’s Role – India is one of the world’s megadiverse country, with ecosystems ranging from the Himalayas to mangroves and tropical forests.
• Its biodiversity performance has a substantial influence on global outcomes.
• Contribution to Global Assessments – Data from the report will feed into international assessments examining
  • Whether the world is on track to meet biodiversity commitments and
  • Identifying any gaps in monitoring systems and governance that could affect long-term conservation efforts.
• Policy Alignment & Strategy – India has updated its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) so that it fully aligns with the KMGBF.
• The revised framework included 23 national biodiversity targets and 142 indicators, forming part of a national biodiversity monitoring system.
• Stakeholder Involvement – The process involved consultations with a wide range of groups including Indigenous communities, women’s groups, youth representatives, local governments, non-governmental organisations and private sector actors.

What are the key findings of the report?

• Current Status – India has largely completed the planning & policy alignment phase of its biodiversity commitments.
• But alignment alone does not guarantee success, the real challenge lies in implementation over the rest of the decade, whether the country meets its 2030 biodiversity goals.
• National Biodiversity Target 1 (NBT1) – Biodiversity-inclusive land and sea-use planning (steady progress).
  • Forest and tree cover – 827,357 sq km (25.17% of India’s geographical area), increase of 1,445.81 sq km between 2021 and 2023.
  • Wetland inventories completed nationwide.
  • Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plans underway in coastal states.
  • Eco-sensitive zones have been notified around most protected areas.
  • PARIVESH 2.0 digital clearance platform streamlines environmental approvals, which integrates several regulatory processes.
• Institutionalisation of Planning Tools – Together, these measures indicate that spatial planning tools and ecosystem mapping are becoming more institutionalised within government systems.
• Remaining Uncertainty – Despite these advances, the report does not quantify whether these planning mechanisms have reduced habitat fragmentation outside protected areas.

• National Biodiversity Target 2 (NBT2) – Focuses on ecosystem restoration, the report provided mixed findings.
  • Desertification & Land Degradation Atlas – About 29.77% of India’s geographical area (roughly 97 million hectares) is currently undergoing degradation.
  • Bonn Challenge Pledge – India aims to restore 26 million hectares by 2030, the report states that 24.1 million hectares have already been restored or are under restoration.
  • Forest carbon stock – It has increased to 7,285.5 million tonnes (rise of about 81.5 million tonnes).
  • Mangrove cover – It has increased modestly.
  • Bamboo cover – The area expanded by 1,540 sq km.
  • Concerns – Nearly a third of India’s land continues to experience degradation.
  • This suggests that while restoration activities are taking place, new degradation may be occurring simultaneously.
  • Measurement Issue – Different methods are used to measure degraded land, which makes it harder to determine the true scale of progress.
• National Biodiversity Target 3 (NBT3) – Addressed conservation across land, inland waters and marine ecosystems, in line with the global “30x30” goal of conserving 30% of the planet by 2030.
  • Protected Areas – Currently cover just over 5% of India’s area & additional forest categories contribute to broader conservation coverage.
  • Marine protected areas & OECMs – It has also increased, and the government is identifying Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM) outside the formal protected area system.
  • Gap – Report does not clearly confirm if India can reach 30% conservation coverage by 2030, suggesting significant expansion is still needed.
• National Biodiversity Target 4 (NBT4) – Focuses on species recovery.
  • Flagship Successes – India’s tiger population stands at 3,167, reflecting continued recovery.
  • Numbers of Asiatic lions have also increased, while one-horned rhinoceros populations remain stable or are growing.
  • New Assessments – For the first time, the country has carried out a national assessment of snow leopard populations, and conservation breeding programmes for vultures are ongoing.
  • Data Gaps – Limited data on lesser-known species and other taxa, making broader biodiversity trends unclear.
• Agriculture and ecosystems
• Integration with Agriculture – Biodiversity is being incorporated into production landscapes.
• Trees outside forests (TOF) now make up a significant share of India’s total tree cover, while agroforestry occupies about 8.65% of the country’s geographical area.
• Climate-Linked Gains – Expansion of mangroves and rising forest carbon stocks contribute to climate-related biodiversity gains.
• Data Gaps in Agriculture – The report provides limited quantitative analysis on pesticide reduction and nutrient runoff, both of which play an important role in biodiversity loss within agricultural ecosystems.

What are the key challenges?

• Complexity of Monitoring – Monitoring biodiversity is complex and expensive, and several new indicators still lack standardised protocols.
• Different ministries collect data at varying intervals, while rapid improvements in satellite technology can make comparisons across years difficult.
• Data Consistency Issues – These factors can affect the consistency of datasets and the long-term comparability of trends.
• Structural Challenges – Biodiversity data is still scattered across multiple departments, and there are no uniform methods yet for measuring several of the newer indicators.
• Data is also collected at different time intervals, making it difficult to track trends consistently.
• Capacity & Climate Pressures – Limited financial and technical capacity, as well as the growing impacts of climate change, increasing floods, droughts and forest fires are already affecting ecosystems across the country.

Will India meet its targets?

• Overall Progress – India’s report suggests that while the country has made measurable progress in certain areas, significant challenges remain in meeting the full set of biodiversity targets by 2030.
• Targets on Track – Of the 23 national biodiversity targets, only two, NBT1 (biodiversity-inclusive land and sea-use planning) and NBT2 (ecosystem restoration), are clearly identified as being on track.
• For most of the remaining targets, the report focuses on policies, programmes and ongoing initiatives, rather than providing clear projections on whether they will be achieved by the end of the decade.
• Strengths & Weaknesses – India has developed a stronger policy and monitoring framework for biodiversity conservation.
• It also acknowledges continuing pressures on ecosystems, including land degradation and biodiversity loss outside protected areas.

Reference

Down to Earth | India submits 7th biodiversity report

Protocol for President’s visit

Why in News?

Recently, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee not nominating even a minister to receive President Droupadi Murmu is unusual.

• Bluebook - The Blue Book defines all arrangements necessary for the visits of the dignitaries.
• Prepared by - It is prepared and updated time-to-time by the Union Home Ministry and numbered (every copy has a number) copies are circulated to those concerned.
• Maintained by - At the ground level, in every district the book is kept in the custody of the District Magistrate and the head of the district police.
• Included Dignitaries - President, Vice-President and Prime Minister.
• The protocol suggests that all these 3 dignitaries visiting a state should be welcomed by the Governor and the Chief Minister.
• However, on a number of occasions, the Chief Minister designates one of the ministers to receive them.
• The Blue Book provisions are very strict and even a minor deviation opens inquiries at many levels.
• Advance Approval - A "Line-up" (list of people allowed to meet or receive the President) must be sent to the President's Secretariat and approved weeks in advance.

Quick Facts

• Article 356 (1) - If the President receives a report from a Governor (or is otherwise convinced) that a State Government is failing to function according to the Constitution, the President can issue a Proclamation to:
  • Take Control - Assume all or any functions of the State Government.
  • Suspend Authority - Transfer the powers of the State Legislature to the Parliament.
  • Dismiss the Executive - Dismiss the State Council of Ministers (led by the Chief Minister).

Reference

The Indian Express | Protocol for President’s visit

International Women’s Day, 2026

Why in News?

Recently, the President of India graced the national-level program to celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.

• International Women’s Day is observed globally on 8 March.
• Aim – To honor the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while advocating for gender equality.
• Origin - The day grew out of early 20^th -century labor movements in North America and Europe. The first National Woman's Day was observed in the US in 1909.
• International Recognition - Clara Zetkin proposed an international day at the 1910 International Socialist Women's Conference.
• It was first observed internationally in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

In 2026, the world marks the 115th anniversary of its first international observance in 1911.

• The 8 March Date - This date became fixed following a 1917 strike by Russian women for "bread and peace," which eventually led to women gaining the right to vote in Russia.
• UN Officialization - The United Nations officially recognized the holiday in 1977.
• Key Symbols & Observance – Colours - Purple (justice and dignity), Green (hope), and White (purity/solidarity) are the traditional colours of IWD.
• Global Impact - It is an official public holiday in many countries, including Afghanistan, China (for women), Russia, and Uganda.
• Call to Action - Beyond celebration, the day highlights that at current rates, full gender parity is not expected for another 132 years (roughly five generations).

Key Highlights, 2026

• Global level - For 2026, 2 major global campaigns are driving the conversation
  • UN Theme: "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls" – This theme emphasizes that legal rights are insufficient without active justice and structural accountability to close legal gaps worldwide.
  • IWD Campaign Theme: "Give to Gain" – These focuses on the power of reciprocity and collective action, suggesting that when society gives women equal support and opportunities, the entire world gains from their leadership.
• India level
  • Organized by – Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  • Theme – “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”

• Major Events & Highlights - Shakti Walk (#SheLeadsBharat) - A flagship event held along Kartavya Path (New Delhi) on March 8.
• It featured women from diverse sectors, including the armed forces, science, and grassroots leadership, symbolizing the "stride of the women of Bharat."
• Political Milestone- During the 2026 Budget Session (March 9), the government reportedly sent "informal feelers" to the Opposition regarding an amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (106th Constitutional Amendment Act).
• The aim is to potentially decouple the 33% reservation for women from the delimitation process to speed up its implementation.

Reference

PIB | President of India graces International Women’s Day

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)

Why in News?

Recently, Information regarding the implementation and progress of PM-JANMAN was shared in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

• The PM-JANMAN comprises Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
• Aim – To achieve 100% saturation of basic schemes for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in 3 years.

The Debar Commission (1961) created the sub-category “Primitive Tribal Groups” (now called PVTGs) within Scheduled Tribes to identify communities lacking modern development.

• Launched on – 15 November 2023 (Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas).
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Implemented by – Implemented by 9 key Ministries through autonomous institutions –
  • National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD)
  • Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE)
• Support from Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) in 15 States.
• Objective – To provides basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water, education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of un-electrified households and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• To enhance the socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

There are 75 PVTGs identified out of 705 Scheduled Tribes, spread across 18 States and 1 Union Territory (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) with about 27.6 lakh population (Census 2011).

• Key Features – Focuses on 11 critical interventions as follows:

References

1. PIB | Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)
2. PIB | Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan
3. MyScheme | PM JANMAN

International Malaria Conference (IMC), 2026

Why in News?

Recently, the International Malaria Conference 2026 concluded in New Delhi after three days of scientific deliberations and global engagement on malaria elimination.

• Malaria is a life-threatening, mosquito-borne parasitic disease transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Caused by – Plasmodium species (mainly P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi).

To know about the Malaria disease, click here

International Malaria Conference, 2026

• Organised by – ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR–NIMR) under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
• Theme – “Discovery, Development and Delivery: Driving Malaria Elimination and Beyond”
• Participants – Scientists, public health experts, policymakers and researchers from India and across the world
• Key Highlights – Provided a platform for sharing scientific knowledge, strengthening partnerships and addressing challenges in malaria control and elimination.
• Emphasised collaboration among research institutions, national programmes and global partners to accelerate malaria elimination.
• Major Discussion – Discovery – Advances in parasite biology and transmission dynamics.
• Emerging molecular mechanisms influencing malaria persistence and drug resistance.
• Development – Innovations in malaria diagnostics, research tools and surveillance technologies.
• Platform for early-career researchers through turbo talks and poster presentations.
• Delivery – Focus on translating scientific discoveries into public health interventions.
• Highlights on residual malaria transmission, vaccine research and community-based malaria control strategies.
  • Residual malaria transmission is the continued transmission even after implementation of control measures, requiring targeted interventions.
• Significance – Strengthens global collaboration and partnerships for malaria elimination.
• Encourages research, innovation and capacity building in malaria control.

Quick Fact

Reference

PIB | International Malaria Conference (IMC) 2026

New Marine Amphipod in Indian Waters (Stenothoe lowryi)

Why in News?

Recently, a rare shrimp-like marine amphipod was recorded in Indian waters with findings published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.

• Scientific Name – Stenothoe lowryi.
• Genus – Stenothoe.
• Habitat – Intertidal rocky pools and coastal rock environments.
• Distribution – Recorded for the first time in Indian waters at Arjyapalli in Ganjam district, Odisha, at least eight specimens were collected.
• Earlier recorded from Pangkor Island in the Straits of Malacca, Malaysia.
• Key Characteristics – Small Shrimp-like marine species (crustacean) with smooth bodies.
• Long antennae longer than the head and the first body segments.
• Size – About 5.5 mm in length
• Large claws and a preference for rocky environments.
• Stenothoe lowryi is morphologically similar to the closely related species Stenothoe gallensis.
• Ecological Significance – Increases the number of stenothoid amphipod species recorded in South Asia.
• Believed to contribute to the marine food web.

• Other related species discovery
  • Grandidierella geetanjalae – It is a marine amphipod, a shrimp-like crustacea discovered from Chilika lagoon in Jan, 2026.
  • Parhyale odian - In 2022, the new species of marine amphipod from the Chilika lake at Barkul, named as Parhyale odian after Odisha’s native language.

Reference

ToI | Stenothoe lowryi