The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) submitted India's Seventh National Report (NR-7) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on February 26, 2026. The report provides a comprehensive national assessment supported by 142 indicators mapped against 23 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs), all of which are currently reported as “on track to achieve”. This submission reflects growth in India’s conservation efforts, aligning national priorities with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2024-2030). By adopting a “whole-of-government” approach, the NR-7 contributes to global biodiversity goals through measurable progress in species recovery, habitat restoration, and the fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
Key Pillars of the Seventh National Report (NR-7)
Expansive Protected Network: India’s conservation network now includes 106 National Parks, 574 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 58 Tiger Reserves, and 33 Elephant Reserves.
Global Species Leadership: India supports over 70% of the global tiger population (3,682 tigers), along with 4,014 one-horned rhinoceroses and 891 Asiatic lions.
Wetland Conservation: The number of notified Ramsar sites has significantly expanded from 26 in 2014 to 98 as of 2026.
Forest and Tree Cover: Total Forest and Tree Cover has reached 8,27,356.95 km² (25.17% of geographical area), supported by sustained spatial planning.
Agrobiodiversity Protection: India has documented 22 agrobiodiversity hotspots and prioritized 769 Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs) and 230 native animal breeds.
Community Engagement: Over 2.76 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) and 2.72 lakh People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) play a role in promoting local conservation practices.
What is the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" (KMGBF)? The KMGBF is a landmark international agreement adopted to guide global action through 2030 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. India's NR-7 is aligned with this framework, using a robust indicator-based assessment to track progress. This alignment plays a role in ensuring that national actions—such as expanding protected areas and implementing Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) agreements—contribute to global targets. The framework is supported by India's updated NBSAP, which integrates safeguards across infrastructure, agriculture, and forestry to ensure sustainable development is balanced with ecological health.
Policy Relevance: India’s Leadership in Biodiversity Governance
Expanding Legal Protections: Conservation strategies are supported by prominent laws, including the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to ensure legal backup for habitat restoration.
Technological Integration: The use of Remote Sensing, UAVs, and DNA-based tools reflects growth in the high-tech monitoring of forest resources and free-ranging species.
Streamlining Governance: The PARIVESH single-window hub contributes to transparency and "Maximum Governance" by facilitating environmental clearances.
Mainstreaming Citizen Action: Initiatives like Mission LiFE and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Nam’ play a role inintegrating individual contributions into national conservation targets.
Follow the Full Release Here: India Submits Seventh National Report to Convention on Biological Diversity
