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The Nature Restoration Law (NRL), which was enacted by the European Union (EU), is an inspiring model from which India can draw points to tackle its growing environmental crises.

Background of the NRL in the EU

• The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) was enacted by the European Union (EU) to restore ecosystems and combat biodiversity loss.
• Adopted on June 17, 2024, by the EU’s Environmental Council.
• Key objectives:
  • Restore 20% of EU’s land and sea areas by 2030.
  • Achieve full restoration of all ecosystems by 2050.
  • Part of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and European Green Deal.
• Target Areas:
  • Forests, agricultural lands, rivers, urban spaces.
  • Restoration measures include:
    • 25,000 km of free-flowing rivers.
    • Planting 3 billion trees by 2030.
• Global Impact: NRL is a critical tool in reversing Europe’s biodiversity loss, where 80% of habitats are in poor condition.

Environmental Crisis in India

• Land Degradation:
  • 29.7% of India’s total geographical area is affected by land degradation (as per ISRO’s Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas, 2018-19).
  • 97.85 million hectares of land degraded, with a significant increase since 2003-05.
  • Major desertification hotspots in Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
  • Desertification: A growing concern, affecting 83.69 million hectares in 2018-19.
• Ongoing Efforts:
  • Green India Mission, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, and National Afforestation Programme have had positive effects.
  • Integrated Watershed Management Programme is the second-largest watershed programme globally.

Need for a Comprehensive Nature Restoration Law in India

• The scale of India’s environmental challenges requires a comprehensive nature restoration law similar to the EU’s NRL.
• The law should have legally binding targets to restore degraded landscapes and ensure ecosystem sustainability.

Key Features of an Indian Nature Restoration Law

• Restoration Targets:
  • 20% of degraded land to be restored by 2030.
  • Full restoration of ecosystems (forests, wetlands, rivers, agricultural lands, urban spaces) by 2050.
• Wetland Restoration:
  • Target restoring 30% of degraded wetlands by 2030.
  • Priority wetlands like Sundarbans and Chilika Lake play critical roles in biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
• Biodiversity in Agriculture:
  • Promote agroforestry and sustainable agriculture practices.
  • Use biodiversity indicators (e.g., butterfly or bird index) to monitor progress.
• River Restoration:
  • Focus on free-flowing rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna.
  • Address pollution, obstructions, and ecosystem damage in major rivers.
• Urban Green Spaces:
  • Ensure no net loss of urban green spaces.
  • Promote urban forests in cities like Bengaluru and Delhi, where urban heat islands and air quality degradation are prominent.

Economic and Social Benefits of Ecosystem Restoration

• Global Economic Impact:
  • Nature restoration could generate $10 trillion annually by 2030 (World Economic Forum estimate).
• Benefits for India:
  • Agricultural Productivity: Restoring degraded land will enhance farm productivity.
  • Water Security: Improved land restoration will contribute to better water availability.
  • Job Creation: Millions of rural jobs could be created through ecosystem restoration efforts.
• Contributing to SDGs:
  • The law would help India meet SDG 15 (sustainable management of forests, combating desertification).
• Climate Change Mitigation:
  • Restoring ecosystems can help India enhance its carbon sinks, which is crucial for meeting Paris Agreement targets.
  • Degraded lands lose their capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming.