Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on Tuesday underscored India’s dedication to preserving both national and global biodiversity for present and future generations, embracing the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam— One Earth, One Family, One Future.
Speaking at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) COP16 plenary session, he announced that India will release its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in Cali.
“India adopted a ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach to align its updated NBSAP targets with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” he said.
Reflecting on India’s cultural connection to nature, Singh stressed its position as one of 17 mega-diverse countries, hosting four of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots. He also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (Plant4Mother) campaign, introduced on World Environment Day to foster biodiversity conservation.
Singh underlined India’s long-standing dedication to environmental harmony, aligning with its Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) mission—a global initiative promoting sustainable living. He also detailed India’s conservation initiatives, such as the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) aimed at safeguarding the world’s seven big cat species, and the Namami Gange mission, which the UN has recognized as one of the top 10 World Restoration Flagships.
The minister also pointed out the impressive growth in India’s Ramsar sites, increasing from 26 in 2014 to 85 today, with a target of reaching 100 in the near future.