India, with a score of 45.5 out of 100, has found itself near the bottom of the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI), ranking 176th out of 180 countries. Alongside Kiribati (180), Turkey (179), Iraq (178), and Micronesia (177), India is listed among the five worst-performing countries in terms of conservation efforts. This first-ever Nature Conservation Index, released on October 24, 2024, provides a comprehensive evaluation of global conservation practices by assessing each country’s progress in balancing conservation and development.
The NCI, launched in October 2024, was developed by the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in collaboration with BioDB.com, a non-profit organization dedicated to biodiversity data. It assesses countries using four key markers: land management, threats to biodiversity, capacity, and governance, and future trends. By offering a data-driven analysis, the NCI aims to help governments, researchers, and conservation organizations identify concerns and enhance policies to ensure long-term biodiversity protection.
Yaron Ziv, from the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School, emphasized the importance of measuring conservation efforts: “You can’t manage what you can’t measure — so the saying goes. With that in mind, we created the Nature Conservation Index (NCI), which is an unbiased, straightforward tool designed to show how well countries handle conservation challenges.”
India’s low ranking is primarily attributed to inadequate land management and escalating threats to biodiversity. With 53% of the country’s land being converted for urban, industrial, and agricultural use, sustainable land use practices are crucial. The index highlighted India’s excessive pesticide use and growing soil pollution, with a sustainable nitrogen index of only 0.77, underscoring the urgent need to address soil health issues.
Marine conservation also emerged as a critical concern, with just 0.2% of India’s national waterways under protection and no areas designated within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Despite 7.5% of terrestrial territory being protected, the lack of marine protected areas reflects significant gaps in safeguarding marine biodiversity.
The NCI flagged multiple threats to India’s biodiversity, including habitat loss and fragmentation resulting from agricultural expansion, urbanization, and infrastructure development. The impacts of climate change further exacerbate the situation, particularly affecting sensitive ecosystems such as alpine regions and coral reefs.
Between 2001 and 2019, India experienced deforestation that resulted in the loss of approximately 23,300 square kilometers of tree cover. While 40% of marine species and 65% of terrestrial species are located within Protected Areas (PAs), significant declines in population persist. The report revealed that 67.5% of marine species and 46.9% of terrestrial species continue to suffer population losses, emphasizing the ongoing challenges in conservation.
The findings of the NCI echo the concerns raised in the latest global Sustainable Development progress report, where India struggled with significant challenges in achieving SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG 15 (Life on land). The poor performance across these Sustainable Development Goals aligns with India’s overall score of 54 in biodiversity conservation, highlighting the country’s difficulties in meeting international conservation standards.
Looking to the future, the NCI identified both promising opportunities and serious biodiversity challenges for India. With one of the highest population densities in the world, and a population that has doubled since the late 1970s, India’s natural resources face constant strain. Additionally, India is ranked as the fourth-largest illegal wildlife trader globally, with an estimated annual trade value of £15 billion. The index called for stronger law enforcement and international cooperation to curb illegal wildlife trafficking and promote sustainable practices.
To overcome these challenges, the NCI emphasizes the need for strong political will. This includes passing legislation that supports sustainable development, securing adequate funding for conservation initiatives, and implementing policies that align with ecological preservation goals. With committed political action and strategic policy reforms, India can address the pressing conservation issues and create a more sustainable and ecologically friendly future.
Despite India’s current position in the Global Nature Conservation Index, there is room for optimism. The country has the potential to transform its conservation landscape by prioritizing sustainable development, strengthening biodiversity protection measures, and enhancing marine and land management practices. If these steps are taken, India can work toward not only climbing the ranks of the NCI but also securing its ecological heritage for future generations.
The 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index serves as a critical reminder of the work that lies ahead. It is a call to action for India to reassess its conservation priorities, build on existing efforts, and adopt innovative approaches to safeguarding biodiversity. Only then can the nation navigate the path to sustainable development and emerge as a leader in global conservation.
