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Biodiversity and Conservation

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31-08-2024 | Original Paper

Conservation priorities for Indian biodiversity: spatiotemporal patterns, policy efficacy, and future outlook

Authors: C. Vishwapriya, N. G. Devaiah

Published in: Biodiversity and Conservation | Issue 13/2024

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Abstract

As one of the world’s mega-biodiverse regions, the Indian subcontinent harbors exceptional biological riches spanning diverse taxa and ecosystems. However, rapid economic growth and associated anthropogenic pressures pose ever-increasing threats to native biota through habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species, climate change, and pollution. This paper analyzes India’s changing biodiversity landscape, evaluates the efficacy of conservation policies, and charts strategic priorities for the future. Spatiotemporal trends for 3563 species across terrestrial, fresh water and marine realms were assessed using IUCN Red List data. We find that birds and mammals show modest improvements recently owing to legal protections and habitat recovery initiatives. However, other less-charismatic taxa exhibit alarming population declines nationwide. Our policy analysis highlights critical gaps in implementation frameworks involving multi-sector coordination, capacity building, benefit sharing, and participatory decision-making. To arrest biodiversity erosion and achieve stated policy targets by 2030, we propose an integrated, evidence-driven strategy prioritizing invasives control, agro-ecological transitions, pollution abatement, ecological connectivity via green-gray infrastructure, and community-based adaptation. Mindful of inherent socio-ecological complexities, our recommendations provide a framework for targeted conservation investments attuned to India’s development aspirations.

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1. Invasive species control

Alien invasive plants, mammals and reptiles severely endanger native biota across habitats. Potential interventions include import restrictions, early detection via monitoring, mechanical/chemical control and biocontrol research.

2. Ecological restoration

Habitat degradation is pervasive with Protected Areas also impacted. Restoration through native plantations, managed natural regeneration and hydrological revitalization can accelerate recovery.

3. Agro-ecological transitions

Agricultural intensification critically threatens endemic dryland biota and wetland ecosystems via chemical effluents and desertification. State advisory services should actively incentivize minimum tillage, organic farming, mixed cropping, conservation agriculture and agroforestry.

4. Pollution abatement

Industrial effluents and untreated urban sewage have created overly polluted waterways hostile to intrinsic biota while fostering invasive species. Command-and-control restrictions coupled with compliance assistance programs are essential to control contamination at source.

5. Ecological connectivity

Linear infrastructure like roads and canals severely fragments habitats driving population isolation and gene flow disruption. Strategic mitigation via wildlife underpasses and overpasses aligned with identified dispersal corridors can re-connect habitats for improved viability.

6. Community-based adaptation

Revitalizing community forest rights, customary tenure and co-management institutions supports self-organized stewardship attuned to local socio-ecological feedbacks. This culturally resonant model cost-effectively safeguards ecosystem health and local livelihoods simultaneously.

7. Access and benefit sharing streamlining

Indigenous communities possess invaluable medicinal plant knowledge but lack recognized stakes in commercial applications undermining conservation incentives. Clarifying administrative procedures for bioprospecting patents, licensing and royalty flows offers a potential solution.

8. Green infrastructure integration

Complementing the existing built fabric with green elements like urban wetlands, peri-urban woodlots and mangrove buffers amplifies habitat extent while delivering air/water quality co-benefits to human settlements.

9. Sustainability transitions

Pursuing sustainable transitions across energy, mobility and agricultural sectors will require judiciously balancing ecological impacts against development gains through appropriate regulatory frameworks.

10. Monitoring and enforcement

Expanding nationwide biodiversity surveillance through citizen science platforms and remote sensing coupled with stronger enforcement mechanisms can improve compliance and accountability across policies.

Collectively these ten interventions constitute targeted, evidence-driven conservation investments closely aligned with India’s unique socio-cultural milieu and sustainability challenges.

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Title: Conservation priorities for Indian biodiversity: spatiotemporal patterns, policy efficacy, and future outlook
Authors: C. Vishwapriya
N. G. Devaiah
Publication date: 31-08-2024
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Biodiversity and Conservation / Issue 13/2024
Print ISSN: 0960-3115
Electronic ISSN: 1572-9710
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02924-8

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