India came near the bottom of the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index, scoring 45.5 out of 100 and 176th out of 180 countries. This places it among the five poorest scorers, alongside Kiribati (180), Turkey (179), Iraq (178), and Micronesia (177). The NCI, which was released on October 24, 2024, is the first of its kind, evaluating conservation efforts across nations using a variety of environmental indicators. The Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University and the non-profit BioDB.com created this new index, which analyses countries based on four criteria: land management, biodiversity threats, governance, and future conservation trends.
Dr. Yaron Ziv of the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School states, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” With this in mind, the NCI seeks to provide a clear, data-driven perspective on how countries deal with conservation issues. The findings help governments, researchers, and policymakers develop conservation strategies and ensure long-term biodiversity protection and sustainable land use practices.
Land Management and Biodiversity Risks
India’s low 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index score is partly due to poor land management and major threats to biodiversity. Over 53% of the country’s land has been transformed for urban, agricultural, and industrial purposes, resulting in significant pesticide use and soil degradation. The index highlights that India’s sustainable nitrogen index of 0.77 emphasises the critical need for soil health improvements to support sustainable farming practices.
The situation of marine conservation is also cause for concern. Despite having enormous national waterways, only 0.2% is protected, with no coverage in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). While 7.5% of India’s terrestrial area is protected, significant work is needed to improve marine conservation efforts and manage the threats linked with habitat fragmentation and habitat loss.
From 2001 to 2019, deforestation reduced India’s forest cover by 23,300 square kilometres, affecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The country’s protected places (PAs) host around 40% of marine and 65% of terrestrial species; nevertheless, these places are experiencing catastrophic population losses. According to the index, 67.5% of marine species and 46.9% of terrestrial species in these areas are experiencing population reductions as a result of factors such as climate change, urbanisation, and ineffective environmental management.
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Future Trends and India’s Path Forward
The NCI highlights the substantial threats and potential for India’s biodiversity conservation initiatives. The index’s “future trends” pillar identifies India’s high population density and rapid growth, which has doubled since the late 1970s, as persistent obstacles to sustainable conservation. Furthermore, India ranks fourth in the world for illegal wildlife trade, with annual sales estimated at £15 billion, posing a further danger to biodiversity. The ranking emphasises the need for improved enforcement of anti-trafficking laws and increased engagement with international organisations to combat these crimes.
According to the global sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), India has significant problems in maintaining ecological balance. However, India may achieve considerable progress with strong political will, increased conservation funds, and stringent legislation. Such efforts would include implementing sustainable land use practices, enhancing marine protection, and strengthening policies that promote environmental care.
While India’s current ranking in the NCI offers a bleak image, the findings provide an opportunity for the country to rethink its conservation strategies and address biodiversity challenges proactively. According to the NCI, committing to these goals could pave the path for a more resilient and environmentally balanced future.
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