Global Nature Conservation Index 2024

According to the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index, India has been ranked 176th out of 180 countries.

The country received a score of 45.5 out of 100, placing it among the bottom five performers globally, alongside Kiribati, Turkey, Iraq, and Micronesia.

The index evaluates conservation efforts on four parameters:

The index has been developed by the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and nonprofit website BioDB.

Key Issues Highlighted: 

Inefficient Land Management: India's land conversion rate for urban, industrial, and agricultural purposes is 53%, which has led to significant habitat loss and fragmentation.

Threats to Biodiversity: The country faces rising threats to its biodiversity, including deforestation, pollution, and climate change. 

Marine Conservation: Only 0.2% of India's national waterways are protected, and there are no protected areas within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Soil Pollution: High pesticide use and a sustainable nitrogen index of 0.77 indicate a need for improvement in soil health.

Recommendations: 

Sustainable Land Use Practices: Implementing sustainable land use techniques is essential to address habitat loss and fragmentation. 

Enhanced Conservation Policies: Strengthening conservation policies and governance structures to support biodiversity protection.

Marine Conservation Efforts: Increasing protected areas within national waterways and the EEZ. 

Public Awareness: Raising awareness about the importance of preserving natural ecosystems and biodiversity.