India Ranks Among the Lowest in Global Nature Conservation Index 2024
India has been placed among the bottom five performers in the inaugural Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI), coming in at 176th out of 180 nations. The rankings, released on October 24, show India trailing only Kiribati (180), Turkey (179), Iraq (178), and Micronesia (177).
Developed by the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in collaboration with BioDB.com, the NCI evaluates countries based on four key indicators: land management, biodiversity threats, governance and capacity, and future trends. Yaron Ziv from the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School emphasized the need for measurable metrics in conservation efforts, stating, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.”
India’s low ranking is largely attributed to escalating threats to biodiversity and ineffective land management practices. The index highlights a staggering 53% rate of land conversion for urban, industrial, and agricultural use, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable land-use practices. Additionally, the index reports excessive fertilizer application, indicating a concerning sustainable nitrogen index of 0.77, which necessitates immediate action to improve soil health.
Marine conservation is also a critical area of concern; the index reveals that only 0.2% of India’s national waterways are designated as protected areas, with none in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Despite 7.5% of the country’s terrestrial area being protected, much stronger conservation efforts are essential.
The NCI report identified various risks to India’s biodiversity, including habitat loss, agricultural fragmentation, and the adverse impacts of climate change, which exacerbate these threats. Deforestation has resulted in the alarming loss of 23,300 square kilometers of tree cover in India between 2001 and 2019. Climate change is also negatively affecting sensitive ecosystems, such as alpine regions and coral reefs.
Despite 40% of marine species and 65% of terrestrial species residing in protected areas, a significant population decline continues, with 67.5% of marine species and 46.9% of terrestrial species showing a decline in numbers. India scored a mere 54 out of 100 on this aspect of the assessment.
The findings from the NCI resonate with recent global progress reports on Sustainable Development, particularly highlighting challenges in SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG 15 (Life on land). As the index notes, India’s high population density—having doubled since the late 1970s—further threatens its ecological wealth.
The index also urges stronger enforcement measures and international collaboration, as India ranks as the fourth-largest illegal wildlife trader globally, with an annual sales figure of around £15 billion.
To effectively tackle conservation challenges, the report emphasizes the necessity for political commitment to pass laws supporting sustainable development and to secure funding for environmental initiatives. With a concerted effort, India has the potential to confront these looming challenges and move toward a more sustainable and ecologically responsible future, as suggested by the NCI findings.
