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National Red List Assessment of Indian Flora and Fauna (2025)

10 Oct 2025 GS 3 Environment
National Red List Assessment of Indian Flora and Fauna (2025) Click to view full image

Context

  • India has launched its first-ever National Red List Assessment to evaluate the extinction risk of nearly 11,000 species of plants and animals by 2030.

  • Announced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.

  • The initiative will be implemented by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).

Key Objectives

  1. Assess Extinction Risk:

    • Identify how vulnerable Indian flora and fauna are to extinction.

  2. Develop National Red Data Books:

    • Separate Red Data Books for flora and fauna to be published by 2030.

  3. Strengthen Conservation Planning:

    • Provide a scientific baseline for future policy decisions, conservation measures, and threat mitigation.

  4. Build National Expertise:

    • Create a pool of 300 certified assessors trained in IUCN methodologies.

  5. Fulfil International Commitments:

    • Align India’s biodiversity monitoring with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF).

Key Features of the Initiative

  • Project Name: National Red List Assessment of Indian Flora and Fauna

  • Duration: 2025–2030

  • Estimated Budget: ₹95 crore

  • Funding: 100% public-funded project

  • Implementing Agencies:

    • Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) – for fauna

    • Botanical Survey of India (BSI) – for flora

  • Methodology:

    • Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria.

    • Scientific, data-driven approach to assess population trends, distribution, and threats.

About the IUCN Red List

  • The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the global standard for assessing the conservation status of species.

  • Species are categorized as:

    • Extinct (EX)

    • Extinct in the Wild (EW)

    • Critically Endangered (CR)

    • Endangered (EN)

    • Vulnerable (VU)

    • Near Threatened (NT)

    • Least Concern (LC)

    • Data Deficient (DD)

  • Provides a scientific foundation for global conservation policy.

Need for a National Red List

  1. Current Gaps:

    • India lacks a unified, standardised national-level database for threatened species.

    • Existing “Schedules” under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) list species, but are not based on uniform risk assessments.

  2. Biodiversity Significance:

    • India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries, hosting about 7–8% of global biodiversity.

    • Rapid urbanisation, habitat fragmentation, and pollution pose new threats.

  3. Scientific and Policy Benefits:

    • Will help prioritise conservation funding and update legal protection measures.

    • Strengthen India’s National Biodiversity Action Plan and State Biodiversity Boards.

Institutional Framework

Institution

Function

MoEFCC

Nodal Ministry overseeing the project

ZSI

Faunal assessment and database creation

BSI

Floral assessment and data validation

IUCN

Methodological support and international benchmarking

State Forest & Biodiversity Departments

Field surveys and coordination

International and Policy Linkages

  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): India is a party since 1994.

  • Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022):

    • Target: Halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and protect 30% of land and sea areas.

  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-15): Life on Land — Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC)

Overview

  • The IUCN World Conservation Congress is the world’s largest environmental decision-making forum, convened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

  • It is held once every four years, bringing together governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, and indigenous groups to shape the global environmental agenda.

  • The Congress acts as both a parliament for nature and a platform for innovation and collaboration in conservation.

Edition

  • Venue: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  • Dates: 9–15 October 2025

  • Theme: Focus on nature-based solutions and sustainable development.

  • Participants: Thousands of leaders and decision-makers from across the world, including representatives from India’s Ministry of Environment, ZSI, BSI, and National Biodiversity Authority.

Aim and Objectives

  1. To improve management of natural environments for human, social, and economic development.

  2. To strengthen global environmental governance through collaboration among governments, civil society, and the private sector.

  3. To develop and adopt motions and resolutions that guide IUCN’s global conservation policies.

  4. To foster innovation and partnerships that advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-13 (Climate Action) and SDG-15 (Life on Land).

Major Components of the Congress

The IUCN Congress is divided into three key components:

1. The Forum

  • A global public platform for dialogue on urgent environmental and sustainability challenges.

  • Includes high-level debates, workshops, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing events.

  • Open to scientists, policymakers, NGOs, and the general public.

2. The Members’ Assembly

  • IUCN’s highest decision-making body and a unique global environmental parliament.

  • Comprises governmental and non-governmental IUCN Members (both national and international).

  • Adopts resolutions and recommendations guiding global conservation priorities.

  • Elects the IUCN Council, approves budgets, and sets the organization’s long-term strategy.

3. The Exhibition

  • A large interactive space showcasing research, technologies, projects, and conservation models.

  • Open to both registered participants and the general public (with free access).

  • Provides visibility to countries, organizations, and innovators working in biodiversity conservation.

Host Country Selection

  • The Congress is hosted by one of IUCN’s State Members.

  • The selection process begins ~3.5 years before the event.

  • Interested countries submit formal proposals meeting IUCN’s Statement of Requirements.

  • Hosting offers countries a chance to showcase national leadership in conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

Accountability and Ethics Framework

  • Gender Strategy: Promotes equitable participation and gender-sensitive policy outcomes.

  • Anti-Harassment Policy: Ensures a safe and inclusive environment.

  • Gender-Responsive Assemblies Toolkit: Guides all proceedings and discussions to ensure fair representation and inclusivity.

Historical Evolution

Period

Frequency

Key Features

Pre-1996

Every 2–3 years

Focused only on the Members’ Assembly

Since 1996

Every 4 years

Inclusion of The Forum — open to the public for debate and innovation

Recent Congresses

2016 (Hawaii, USA); 2021 (Marseille, France)

Adopted major global conservation motions and roadmaps



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