Source: DTE

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Context :

As countries work toward the 30x30 target under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, protecting 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030. But a new study reveals that increasing the size of protected areas is not enough to protect biodiversity due to human activities outside these zones.

What is the Concept of Extinction Filtering ?

• The study introduces the concept of "extinction filtering," where species sensitive to human disturbance disappear, leaving only those that can survive in degraded landscapes.
• Tropical forests have the highest diversity of mammal species, many of which are already endangered, and are vulnerable to human activities such as deforestation and population growth.
• Researchers analyzed 239 mammal species across 37 tropical forests and found that:
  • • Forest fragmentation and deforestation outside protected areas lead to a decline in mammal species inside protected zones.
    • High human population density near protected areas results in fewer mammal species

What are the Threats to Mammals:

The study identifies two major threats to tropical mammal species:

• Forest loss and fragmentation
• High human population density

What are the Conservation Efforts:

To effectively protect biodiversity, conservation efforts must:

• Create wildlife corridors to connect isolated forest patches
• Implement sustainable land-use planning to limit habitat destruction outside protected areas
• Involve local communities in conservation programs
• Strengthen buffer zones around protected areas to shield species from human activities

What is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) ?

• 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted in Dec 2022.
• Location: First part held in Kunming, China; concluded in Montreal, Canada.
• Outcome: Adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) with 4 goals and 23 targets for achievement by 2030.
• Kunming Declaration: Reinforced commitment to address the biodiversity crisis, adopted by over 100 countries.

Key Targets of the GBF

• 30x30 Deal:
  • • Restoration: Restore 30% degraded ecosystems globally (land and sea) by 2030.
    • Conservation: Conserve and manage 30% areas (terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine) by 2030.
• Species Extinction:
  • • Stop the extinction of known species.
    • By 2050, reduce tenfold the extinction risk and rate of all species (including unknown).
• Pollution Reduction:
  • • Reduce risk from pesticides by at least 50% by 2030.
    • Reduce nutrients lost to the environment by at least 50% by 2030
• Invasive Species: Reduce the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive alien species by at least 50% by 2030.

India's Demands at the Conference

• Urgent need for a new and dedicated fund for biodiversity conservation in developing countries.
• Global Environment Facility remains the primary funding source, but more is needed.
• Burden Sharing: Developing countries bear the most burden of implementing biodiversity targets and require adequate funding and technology transfer.

What is Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?

CBD is a Legally binding treaty since 1993, ratified by 196 nations.

Objectives:

• Conserve biodiversity.
• Ensure sustainable use.
• Promote fair and equitable benefit sharing.

 CBD Secretariat: Based in Montreal, Canada.

 Meetings: Regular intervals called Conference of Parties (COP).

 Supplementary Agreements:

• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: Protects biodiversity from risks posed by living modified organisms.
• Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS): Covers genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and benefits arising from their utilization.

 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020: Adopted in 2000, provided set of 20 ambitious targets (Aichi Targets).

 India's Action: Enacted Biological Diversity Act in 2002 to implement CBD provisions.

Source:

DTE