INDIA'S FIFTH NATIONAL REPORT TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2014 Ministry of Environment and Forests Government of India © Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, 2014 Material from this publication may be used for educational purposes provided due credit is given. Material from this publication can be used for commercial purposes only with the permission from the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex Lodi Road, New Delhi-110 003 Phone: +91-11-24361308 Fax : +91-11-24363967 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Website: www.moef.nic.in Edited by Mr. Hem K. Pande Dr. Sujata Arora INDIA'S FIFTH NATIONAL REPORT TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2014 CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY INDIA'S FIFTH NATIONAL REPORT Contents i Foreword 45 PART II ii Preface 45 II. Updating National Biodiversity Action Plan iii Acknowledgements 45 2.1 Background iv List of Abbreviations 47 2.2 National Biodiversity Targets x List of Figures 2.2.1 Process of updating National Biodiversity Action Plan 2.2.2 Indicators for National Biodiversity Targets xi List of Tables 2.2.3 Agencies that will be responsible for monitoring progress in achieving National xi List of Boxes Biodiversity Targets xii List of Appendices 2.2.4 Monitoring and reporting frequency 2.2.5 Implementation of National Biodiversity Action Plan xiii Executive Summary 50 2.3 Assessment of funding support for biodiversity conservation in India 2.3.1 Financial overview of schemes of MoEF 2.3.1.1 MoEF's core funding for biodiversity conservation during 2013-2014 01 PART I 2.3.1.2 MoEF's non-core funding for biodiversity conservation during 2013-2014 I. An update on biodiversity status, trends and threats in India and implications for human well-being 2.3.2 Outlays at the State level 2.3.3 Peripheral funding: Biodiversity related programmes of allied 01 1.1 Biodiversity profile of India Ministries/Departments 1.1.1 Biogeographic classification and biodiversity characterization 2.3.4 Total estimated funding for biodiversity conservation during 2013-2014 1.1.2 Biodiversity hotspots 53 2.4 National Biodiversity Targets and Millennium Development Goals 1.1.3 Importance of biodiversity and its implications for human well-being 1.1.4 Faunal and floral diversity 1.1.5 Fungi and lichen diversity 1.1.6 Marine biodiversity 1.1.7 Endemism 1.1.8 Domesticated biodiversity 19 1.2 Status and trends in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems 1.2.1 Forests Wetlands 55 PART III Mangroves, corals and seagrasses III. India's progress towards Aichi Biodiversity Targets and contributions to the relevant 2015 1.2.2 PA Network, ESAs, Corridors and Connectivity, BRs, IBAs, KBAs, AZEs, CCAs targets of the Millennium Development Goals Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas 55 3.1 Introduction 1.2.3 Air and water quality trends 3.1.1 Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by 29 1.3. Species population trends mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society- Aichi Biodiversity 1.3.1 Flagship species Targets 1 to 4 1.3.2 Status and population trends of key terrestrial and aquatic/ marine wild animal 3.1.2 Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote species sustainable use- Aichi Biodiversity Targets 5 to 10 1.3.3 Aquatic biodiversity 3.1.3 Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity – Aichi Biodiversity Targets 11 to 13 36 1.4 Status and conservation of threatened plants species and their habitats 3.1.4 Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem 39 1.5 Threats to biodiversity services- Aichi Biodiversity Targets 14 to16 1.5.1 Threat assessment in biogeographic zones of India 3.1.5 Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building- Aichi Biodiversity Targets 17 to 20 1.5.2 Habitat fragmentation at landscape level 83 3.2 Millennium Development Goals and Aichi Biodiversity Targets 43 1.6 Legal framework and conservation jurisprudence 85-100 Appendices CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY INDIA'S FIFTH NATIONAL REPORT Contents i Foreword 45 PART II ii Preface 45 II. Updating National Biodiversity Action Plan iii Acknowledgements 45 2.1 Background iv List of Abbreviations 47 2.2 National Biodiversity Targets x List of Figures 2.2.1 Process of updating National Biodiversity Action Plan 2.2.2 Indicators for National Biodiversity Targets xi List of Tables 2.2.3 Agencies that will be responsible for monitoring progress in achieving National xi List of Boxes Biodiversity Targets xii List of Appendices 2.2.4 Monitoring and reporting frequency 2.2.5 Implementation of National Biodiversity Action Plan xiii Executive Summary 50 2.3 Assessment of funding support for biodiversity conservation in India 2.3.1 Financial overview of schemes of MoEF 2.3.1.1 MoEF's core funding for biodiversity conservation during 2013-2014 01 PART I 2.3.1.2 MoEF's non-core funding for biodiversity conservation during 2013-2014 I. An update on biodiversity status, trends and threats in India and implications for human well-being 2.3.2 Outlays at the State level 2.3.3 Peripheral funding: Biodiversity related programmes of allied 01 1.1 Biodiversity profile of India Ministries/Departments 1.1.1 Biogeographic classification and biodiversity characterization 2.3.4 Total estimated funding for biodiversity conservation during 2013-2014 1.1.2 Biodiversity hotspots 53 2.4 National Biodiversity Targets and Millennium Development Goals 1.1.3 Importance of biodiversity and its implications for human well-being 1.1.4 Faunal and floral diversity 1.1.5 Fungi and lichen diversity 1.1.6 Marine biodiversity 1.1.7 Endemism 1.1.8 Domesticated biodiversity 19 1.2 Status and trends in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems 1.2.1 Forests Wetlands 55 PART III Mangroves, corals and seagrasses III. India's progress towards Aichi Biodiversity Targets and contributions to the relevant 2015 1.2.2 PA Network, ESAs, Corridors and Connectivity, BRs, IBAs, KBAs, AZEs, CCAs targets of the Millennium Development Goals Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas 55 3.1 Introduction 1.2.3 Air and water quality trends 3.1.1 Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by 29 1.3. Species population trends mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society- Aichi Biodiversity 1.3.1 Flagship species Targets 1 to 4 1.3.2 Status and population trends of key terrestrial and aquatic/ marine wild animal 3.1.2 Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote species sustainable use- Aichi Biodiversity Targets 5 to 10 1.3.3 Aquatic biodiversity 3.1.3 Strategic Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity – Aichi Biodiversity Targets 11 to 13 36 1.4 Status and conservation of threatened plants species and their habitats 3.1.4 Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem 39 1.5 Threats to biodiversity services- Aichi Biodiversity Targets 14 to16 1.5.1 Threat assessment in biogeographic zones of India 3.1.5 Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building- Aichi Biodiversity Targets 17 to 20 1.5.2 Habitat fragmentation at landscape level 83 3.2 Millennium Development Goals and Aichi Biodiversity Targets 43 1.6 Legal framework and conservation jurisprudence 85-100 Appendices CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY INDIA'S FIFTH NATIONAL REPORT Dr. V. Rajagopalan Ministry of Environment and Forests Ministry of Environment and Forests Secretary Government of India Hem K. Pande Government of India New Delhi - 110 003 Additional Secretary & New Delhi - 110 003 Chairman National Biodiversity Authority 31st March, 2014 31st March, 2014 FOREWORD PREFACE I am pleased to present India's Fifth National Report (NR5) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). India, a Preparation of National Reports is an unqualified obligation on all the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Biological megadiverse country with only 2.4% of the world's land area, accounts for 7–8% of all recorded species in the world. It Diversity. Towards fulfilment of these reporting obligations, India had earlier submitted her First, Second, Third and Fourth harbours a tremendous diversity of ecological habitats including forests, grasslands, wetlands, desert, coastal and marine National Reports in 1998, 2001, 2005 and 2009 respectively. ecosystems. Preparation of National Reports at regular intervals helps a Party monitor and review the status of implementation of the India has made sustained efforts in fulfilling her commitments towards conservation of biodiversity, its sustainable use and Convention while identifying gaps in its capacity, constraints and impediments. the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biodiversity and natural resources. As a Party to the CBD, The format of the NR5 is narrative, and the contents are outcome oriented, elucidating the national status and trends of India honours and strives to meet the international obligations and commitments under the Convention. But most biodiversity, progress in implementation of the NBAP and national actions with respect to achievement of biodiversity importantly, India has a firm belief in conservation of biodiversity as a national priority and recognizes its crucial linkages targets. In accordance with the guidance provided by the Conference of the Parties (CoP), the text is appropriately with the livelihoods and well-being of millions of her people, particularly the poor and vulnerable. supplemented by graphics, figures, tables, boxes, pictures and appendices. India's National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP), formulated through a comprehensive interministerial process and In addition to reporting on the status, trends and threats to biodiversity and updating India's NBAP, the NR5 provides an approved by the Union Cabinet in 2008, was developed prior to CBD's Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and the assessment of the funding support for biodiversity conservation in India.