In News:

• The WWF Living Planet Report 2024 highlights a drastic 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations globally from 1970 to 2020.
• The report underscores the urgent need for biodiversity conservation to maintain ecological balance, food security, and human health.

Key Findings of the 2024 Report

Wildlife Population Decline

• 73% Decline in monitored wildlife populations over the past 50 years (1970-2020).
• Freshwater species: Declined by 85%, the most significant drop.
• Terrestrial species: Declined by 69%.
• Marine species: Declined by 56%.

Main Threats to Wildlife

• Habitat Loss: Primary driver, particularly due to the expansion of food systems.
• Overexploitation: Over-hunting, fishing, and resource extraction.
• Invasive Species: Non-native species disrupt local ecosystems.
• Pollution: Water, air, and soil contamination, especially in Asia-Pacific.
• Disease: Emerging diseases impacting wildlife populations.

Ecosystem Risks and Tipping Points

• Decline in wildlife signals risks of ecosystem tipping points.
• Critical ecosystems, like the Amazon and coral reefs, face potential irreversible damage.
• Impact on global food security and livelihoods due to ecosystem collapse.

India’s Wildlife Status

• Vulture populations in India remain critically endangered.
• Tiger populations have increased to 3,682 (2022).
• Snow leopards have been successfully monitored with 718 individuals recorded.

Case Study: Chennai’s Wetland Loss

• 85% reduction in Chennai’s wetlands due to urban expansion, exacerbating flood and drought risks.
• Initiatives like the Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission aim to restore these wetlands to improve ecosystem resilience.

Impacts of Wildlife Decline

• Ecosystem Imbalance
  • Disruption in predator-prey relationships, pollination, and nutrient cycles due to species decline.
  • Leads to ecosystem instability and potential collapse.
• Loss of Biodiversity
  • Reduced genetic diversity makes ecosystems less resilient to environmental changes.
  • Increases vulnerability to diseases, natural disasters, and climate change.
• Threats to Food Security
  • Pollinators like bees and insects are essential for crop yields.
  • Loss of pollinators threatens global food supply and agriculture.
• Human Health Implications
  • Healthy ecosystems regulate disease by controlling pest populations.
  • Declining biodiversity increases the risk of zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19.
• Economic Consequences
  • Agriculture, fisheries, and tourism industries depend on healthy ecosystems.
  • Decline in wildlife can lead to job losses and economic instability.
• Cultural and Social Impacts
  • Wildlife holds cultural, spiritual, and recreational value for societies worldwide.
  • Loss of iconic species diminishes cultural identities and opportunities for nature-based tourism.

Challenges in Biodiversity Conservation

• Inadequate National Actions
  • Despite global commitments (e.g., Global Biodiversity Framework, Paris Agreement, UN SDGs), national actions are insufficient to meet 2030 biodiversity targets.
  • Risk of crossing tipping points that could lead to irreversible ecosystem degradation.
• Key Drivers of Biodiversity Loss
  • Habitat Loss: Driven by agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure development.
  • Climate Change: Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and altered precipitation patterns.
  • Overexploitation: Unsustainable hunting, fishing, logging, and resource extraction.
  • Pollution: Industrial, agricultural, and plastic pollution disrupt natural habitats.
  • Invasive Species: Non-native species outcompeting and threatening native populations.
  • Lack of Funding: Inadequate financial resources for effective conservation.
  • Weak Policy and Enforcement: Poorly implemented habitat protection laws.
  • Human-Wildlife Conflict: Increased interactions between expanding human populations and wildlife.
  • Genetic Diversity Loss: Reduced genetic diversity makes species vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes.
  • Awareness Gaps: Insufficient public awareness on the importance of biodiversity.

Conclusion and Way Forward

Policy and Action Recommendations

• Expand protected areas and restore ecosystems to halt biodiversity loss.
• Engage Indigenous communities in conservation and land management practices.
• Promote sustainable farming, reduce food waste, and encourage plant-based diets to lessen food production impacts.
• Shift to renewable energy and reduce fossil fuel use to mitigate climate change.
• Redirect investments from environmentally harmful sectors to nature-friendly industries.

WWF-India’s Call for Collective Action

• WWF-India advocates for collective action to align climate, conservation, and sustainable development policies.
• The goal is to ensure a resilient and thriving future for both biodiversity and human societies.