By Bhavana Tejwani
Synopsis:- World Nature Conservation Day, is observed annually on July 28. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of conserving natural resources and protecting the environment.
"One of its primary goals is to save plants and animals that face the threat of extinction."
Here are some initiatives and actions taken by India to celebrate and promote nature conservation:
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign): The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, also known as the Clean India Mission, was launched by the Government of India on October 2, 2014. It aimed to eliminate open defecation, improve solid waste management, and create Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages. During the first phase of the mission, which lasted until October 2, 2019, approximately 90 million toilets were built, and India achieved its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2 health target ahead of schedule. The second phase, spanning from 2020–21 to 2024–25, focuses on sustaining the ODF status and enhancing waste management. Overall, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has made significant strides in improving sanitation across the country It encourages waste management, sanitation, and environmental awareness. 🌟
Project Tiger: Project Tiger is a wildlife conservation movement initiated in India to protect the endangered tiger. The project was initiated in 1973 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Government of India. As of March 2024, there are 55 protected areas that have been designated as tiger reserves under the project. As of 2023, there were 3,682 wild tigers in India, which is almost 75% of the world's wild tiger population.
Ban on Single-Use Plastics: The Plastic Waste Management Rules (PWMR), 2016, provides the statutory framework for plastic waste management in an environmentally sound manner throughout the country. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, on August 12, 2021, prohibiting identified single-use plastic items from July 1, 2022. The Ministry also notified the Guidelines on the Extended Producer Responsibility for Plastic Packaging vide Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022, on February 16, 2022. According to a report on Plastic Waste Management released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the global average of plastic per capita consumption is 28 kg and India has a per capita plastic consumption of 11 kg. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Report (2019-20) states that 3.5 million metric tonnes of plastic waste are generated in India annually. CPCBin its report on “Impact of Plastic Waste Disposal on Soil and Water Quality at Lucknow Dumpsites” found that dumping of plastic waste can deteriorate soil and underground water quality due to leaching of additives, colourants, stabilizers and fillers present in the different categories of plastic products.
Afforestation and Reforestation: India actively promotes tree planting and reforestation efforts to restore ecosystems and combat deforestation. India has committed to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover. This means increasing its forest cover from the current 25% to 33% and restoring 26 million hectares of land by 2030. India has pledged to restore about 21 million hectares of forest by 2030 under the Bonn Challenge. According to a progress report released in 2018, approximately 10 million hectares were already under restoration.
Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks: India has established a network of conservation areas, including over 106 national parks, 515 wildlife sanctuaries, 75 Ramsar wetland sites, and 18 Bio-Reserves. Impressively, 10 of these Bio-Reserves are part of the prestigious World Network of Biosphere Reserves. India boasts over 106 national parks and 515 wildlife sanctuaries across the country. These protected areas play a crucial role in preserving natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and wildlife habitats.
Awareness Campaigns: Awareness campaigns educate people about the importance of biodiversity, ecosystems, and wildlife. Awareness leads to behavioural shifts. People become conscious of their actions and make eco-friendly choices. Simple steps like reducing plastic use, conserving water, and planting trees contribute to conservation efforts. Awareness fosters community involvement. People can join NGOs and other communities to contribute to conserving nature. You can also join us as Nashik Ploggers, an Environmental Conservation Organization which is involved in clean-up drives, tree plantations, and many more initiatives for contributing to environmental conservation.
Remember, every small effort counts, and together, we can protect India’s rich natural heritage! 🌿🌎
Insightful ✨