New Delhi: India has reaffirmed its commitment to biodiversity conservation and international environmental cooperation while calling for adequate financing, technology transfer and capacity-building support to help countries implement global biodiversity goals.
Addressing the High-Level Segment of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP-17) in Yerevan, Armenia, on October 27, 2026, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav delivered India’s National Statement, outlining the country’s conservation achievements, policy priorities and expectations from international cooperation.
The Minister emphasised that the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) must recognise the different circumstances, priorities and legal systems of participating countries.
He also thanked the Government of Armenia for hosting the international biodiversity conference.
India Calls for Predictable Biodiversity Finance and Technology Transfer
A major focus of India’s statement was the need to provide countries with adequate resources to implement the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Bhupender Yadav stressed that biodiversity commitments must be supported by sufficient and predictable financial assistance, particularly from developed countries.
He also highlighted the importance of capacity-building and technology transfer to enable developing countries to strengthen conservation programmes, improve scientific capabilities and implement biodiversity policies effectively.
India maintained that global conservation objectives must be pursued in accordance with national priorities, circumstances and legislation rather than through a uniform approach that overlooks differences in development needs and institutional capacities.
The position reflects India’s emphasis on equitable international cooperation and practical means of implementation as essential components of global biodiversity governance.
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23 National Biodiversity Targets and 142 Indicators
India has translated the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework into a national implementation roadmap through its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
According to the Minister, the updated strategy contains 23 National Biodiversity Targets supported by 142 indicators.
These targets and indicators are intended to guide the country’s biodiversity conservation efforts, provide a framework for monitoring progress and align domestic policies with international commitments.
The strategy also recognises the importance of scientific assessment, ecosystem restoration, sustainable use of biological resources and participation by local communities.
By developing a national monitoring framework, India aims to connect international biodiversity objectives with measurable domestic conservation action.
India Highlights 1,134 Protected Areas and 103 Ramsar Sites
During his address, Bhupender Yadav highlighted the scale of India’s existing biodiversity conservation network.
He informed delegates that India has 1,134 Protected Areas, reflecting the country’s efforts to safeguard wildlife habitats, forests and ecologically sensitive landscapes.
India also has 103 Ramsar sites, wetlands recognised as being of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
The Minister further highlighted 57 Biodiversity Heritage Sites, which protect ecologically significant areas and locally important biological resources.
India’s conservation network also includes 18 Biosphere Reserves, of which 13 are recognised under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Network.
These figures were presented as evidence of the country’s continuing efforts to conserve biodiversity through protected landscapes, wetlands, heritage ecosystems and internationally recognised conservation areas.
International Big Cat Alliance Strengthening Global Wildlife Conservation
The Union Minister highlighted the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) as an important initiative advancing international cooperation in wildlife conservation.
Launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the alliance seeks to strengthen conservation efforts for the world’s seven big-cat species and their habitats.
These species include the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma.
The initiative promotes collaboration among countries on habitat protection, conservation knowledge, capacity-building and coordinated responses to threats facing big-cat populations.
India presented the alliance as an example of how international partnerships can support species conservation while strengthening broader ecosystem protection.
Mission LiFE and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Promote Public Participation
Beyond government-led conservation programmes, Bhupender Yadav highlighted the importance of involving citizens in environmental protection.
He referred to Mission LiFE, or Lifestyle for Environment, which encourages sustainable everyday practices and responsible consumption.
The Minister also highlighted Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, an initiative encouraging people to plant trees in honour of their mothers.
According to the Minister, these programmes help make biodiversity conservation a collective responsibility rather than an activity limited to government institutions or conservation agencies.
The initiatives seek to connect environmental awareness with community participation and individual action.
MISHTI, Amrit Dharohar and Soil Health Card Scheme Support Ecosystem Restoration
India also outlined several programmes aimed at restoring ecosystems and encouraging sustainable resource management.
The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) focuses on mangrove restoration and protection in coastal regions.
Mangroves are important for coastal biodiversity, shoreline protection, carbon storage and the livelihoods of communities dependent on coastal ecosystems.
The Amrit Dharohar initiative supports wetland conservation while promoting sustainable livelihoods and community participation in wetland management.
The Soil Health Card Scheme was also highlighted as an initiative supporting sustainable soil management and the maintenance of soil fertility.
Together, these programmes demonstrate India’s efforts to connect biodiversity conservation with ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture and local economic well-being.
India Backs Cali Fund and Benefit-Sharing from Genetic Resources
Another important element of India’s statement concerned the sharing of benefits arising from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources.
India reiterated its support for a multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism, including the Cali Fund.
Digital sequence information refers broadly to genetic sequence data used in scientific research and biotechnology.
The international debate concerns how benefits generated through the use of such information should be shared fairly, particularly with countries and communities associated with the biological resources from which the information originates.
India’s support for the multilateral mechanism reflects its position that advances in genetic research and biotechnology should be accompanied by equitable benefit-sharing arrangements.
Science-Based Approach to Synthetic Biology and Biosafety
Bhupender Yadav also addressed the growing importance of synthetic biology and biosafety in international biodiversity governance.
He advocated a science-based, risk-proportionate and precautionary approach to emerging biotechnology applications.
The position seeks to balance scientific advancement with appropriate safeguards against potential risks to biodiversity, ecosystems and human well-being.
India emphasised the need for regulatory decisions to be informed by scientific evidence while recognising the importance of precaution in situations involving environmental uncertainty.
The approach also reflects the country’s preference for governance mechanisms that are responsive to different levels of risk and national circumstances.
Village-Level Committees Strengthen Local Participation and Benefit-Sharing
The Minister highlighted India’s efforts to align its domestic legislation with the Convention on Biological Diversity.
He also referred to the establishment of village-level committees that support decentralised access and benefit-sharing arrangements.
These institutional mechanisms are intended to enable local communities to participate in biodiversity governance and benefit from the sustainable use of biological resources.
Community participation is particularly important in a country where forests, wetlands and other ecosystems support the livelihoods and cultural traditions of millions of people.
India’s approach recognises that conservation policies are more effective when local communities are involved in decisions concerning biological resources and their sustainable use.
India Reaffirms Commitment to Global Biodiversity Cooperation
Concluding India’s National Statement, Bhupender Yadav reaffirmed the country’s commitment to working with other Parties to advance the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
India maintained that effective biodiversity governance requires international cooperation, national ownership, scientific evidence and adequate implementation support.
The Minister reiterated that India would continue contributing to global conservation efforts in the spirit of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
The statement at CBD COP-17 placed equal emphasis on India’s domestic conservation achievements and its call for a fair, adequately financed and nationally responsive framework for protecting biodiversity worldwide.
