India's National Red List: A New Initiative for Comprehensive Species Assessment
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Conservation, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and its Schedules, Zoological Survey of India - ZSI, Botanical Survey of India - BSI).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment & Biodiversity): Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; Biodiversity and its conservation. This is a major policy initiative in the field of biodiversity conservation in India.
Key Highlights from the News
India is launching its own National Red List Assessment to scientifically evaluate approximately 11,000 species of flora and fauna facing extinction threats. 🐅🐘🌱
This assessment will use the same methodology as the internationally recognized International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Main Objectives of this Initiative:
Provide an accurate and scientific picture of the threats faced by species in India.
Based on this, plan more effective conservation measures.
As a result of this project, National Red Data Books will be published by 2030.
India is taking this significant step as part of fulfilling its international commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF).
Currently, India classifies wildlife based on their legal protection in the schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The new Red List will be a scientific assessment of extinction risk.
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