Dr. Arvind Kumar*
More than 75% of global food crops rely on pollinators, contributing US$ 235–577 billion annually to global agricultural output.
Over 50% of modern medicines are derived from natural sources, including antibiotics from fungi and painkillers from plant compounds.
Forests store 80% of terrestrial biodiversity, absorbing approximately 2.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, helping mitigate climate change.
Invasive alien species contribute to 60% of species extinctions, causing US$ 423 billion in global economic damage each year.
Healthy ecosystems provide 75% of global freshwater resources, with wetlands playing a key role in water purification. However, since 1970, 35% of wetlands have been lost.
If measured in monetary terms, the services provided by ecosystems are valued in the trillions of dollars—amounting to nearly twice the global GDP. Over half of global GDP is dependent on nature. More than 1 billion people rely on forests for their livelihoods. Moreover, land and the ocean absorb more than half of all carbon emissions. The interdependence of biological components ensures ecosystem resilience and supports the natural processes that sustain life on Earth. Yet, the loss of biodiversity and its cascading impacts are accelerating. Species extinction rates are now estimated to be 10 to 100 times higher than the natural baseline, primarily driven by human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and unsustainable land use. The IUCN Red List (2025-1) paints a sobering picture: 71% of cycads, 44% of reef-forming corals, and 41% of amphibians are threatened, while 38% of tree species face extinction risks. These declines destabilize ecosystems critical for carbon sequestration, disease regulation, and food security. This leads us to pressing questions-
Are we prepared for the ecological consequences of accelerating extinction rates?
What kind of world are we leaving behind if the web of life that sustains us collapses?
How are preparing our global economy that depends on the health of our ecosystems?
Global efforts to protect endangered species and biodiversity are anchored in international frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which, through the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, sets ambitious targets like the 30×30 pledge-aiming to protect 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. Synergies with the UNFCCC, assessments by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), and conventions like Ramsar (wetlands) and CITES (trade in endangered species) reinforce a coordinated global response to biodiversity loss. These frameworks guide national policies, promote sustainable use, and facilitate cross-border cooperation for species and habitat conservation.
How Biodiversity Powers Our Lives and Livelihoods
The climate-biodiversity-health nexus further amplifies these risks. Climate change acts as a threat multiplier intensifying habitat loss, coral bleaching, species migration, and crop failures all of which undermine ecosystem services and human well-being. For instance, the Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, leading to ecosystem collapse and sea-level rise, while Himalayan glacial retreat threatens water supplies for over 1.5 billion people across Asia. In India, degradation of mangroves and grasslands reduces coastal protection, increases vulnerability to storms, and diminishes habitats for endangered species.
Moreover, climate-driven biodiversity loss has direct consequences for public health. Environmental degradation such as deforestation or wetland drainage facilitates the emergence of zoonotic diseases by increasing human-wildlife contact, disrupting natural disease regulation and contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is projected to cause 39 million deaths by 2050 if unaddressed. These stark figures and real-world consequences highlight the inseparable links between biodiversity integrity, climate resilience, and human survival.
India, recognized as one of the world’s megadiverse countries, has developed a robust legal and policy infrastructure for biodiversity conservation. The Biological Diversity Act (2002) and the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) provide the legislative backbone, complemented by People’s Biodiversity Registers that document local flora, fauna, and traditional knowledge. The Wildlife Protection Act, CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority), and flagship programs like Project Tiger and Project Elephant have led to notable successes, such as a steady rise in tiger populations and the recovery of the Asiatic lion and one-horned rhinoceros. As of 2023, India’s network of protected areas encompasses over 1,014 sites-including 106 national parks and 573 wildlife sanctuaries-covering about 5.3% of the country’s geographical area. India has also demonstrated leadership in mainstreaming biodiversity in development through initiatives like the Wetlands Mission and Amrit Dharohar Yojana, as well as community-driven models such as sacred groves, Joint Forest Management, and community reserves. The Union Budget 2025-26 reflects this commitment, with the MoEF&CC receiving ₹3,412.82 crores-a 9% increase from the previous year-and substantial allocations for Project Tiger and Elephant.
Despite these achievements, significant gaps persist. Habitat fragmentation, pollution, invasive species, and rapid urbanization continue to threaten ecosystems. Biodiversity boards at the state and local levels often face resource constraints, and enforcement of conservation laws inconsistent. The government is responding with new regulations, such as the 2025 Biodiversity Benefit Sharing Regulation, to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits from biological resources. However, addressing these challenges will require sustained investment, stronger community engagement, and greater integration of biodiversity concerns into all sectors of development. Similarly, rewilding and afforestation on degraded lands offer more ecologically resilient and sustainable alternatives to monoculture plantations, while blue carbon initiatives restoring mangroves, wetlands, and coral reefs are vital for carbon sequestration and coastal protection. Advancing biodiversity data and innovation through genomic tools, AI-driven habitat monitoring, and citizen science will strengthen real-time conservation efforts.
From Frameworks to Actions
The significance of biodiversity is enshrined in multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 2, 3, 6,13,14,15. Thus, a “Nature-First” approach is imperative if we are to achieve sustainable development in any meaningful sense. It requires a systemic One Health transformation in policy and governance that places biodiversity at the core of all decision-making processes. This means integrating ecological considerations across sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, urban planning, and climate policy ensuring that environmental impact assessments evolve to reflect the complex interlinkages among species and ecosystems. Nature-based solutions (NbS) need to be mainstreamed, as seen in Singapore, where urban planning integrates connected green spaces, bioswales, and green roofs to enhance biodiversity, climate resilience, and public well-being. Equally important is the promotion of green jobs and youth-led stewardship. Ultimately, a shift in mindset is essential moving from extractive economic models to those that value ecosystem services and prioritize long-term ecological balance. Therefore, embedding biodiversity at the core of development is imperative for a sustainable and resilient future. Through nature first approach, integrated policies, multi-stakeholder collaborative efforts and inclusive governance we can safeguard ecosystems that sustain life, climate, and health that benefits both people and the planet.
*Editor, Focus Global Reporter
