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Deccan Herald
22-05-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
India needs to rethink its relationship with nature
India hosts 7-8% of global biodiversity on just 2.4% of Earth's land, supporting food systems, livelihoods, and ecosystems. Yet, extractive development models have led to widespread habitat loss, species decline, and ecosystem halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and move toward a nature-positive world by 2050, the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted in December 2022, calls for transformative and inclusive action across all sectors of society. One of its 23 targets, Target 3, popularly known as '30 by 30', seeks to conserve at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and marine areas through well-connected, equitably managed has aligned its national priorities with global biodiversity targets through the National Biodiversity Action Plan, aiming to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030, and expand protected areas, which currently cover over 18% of land and 1.35% of marine zones. Key initiatives such as project-based conservation initiatives, eco-sensitive zones, biodiversity finance initiative, etc., reflect this commitment. Additionally, integrating access and benefit sharing (ABS) mechanisms ensures fair compensation for communities contributing traditional knowledge and genetic resources, fostering equity and Mission LiFE promotes sustainable lifestyles by encouraging behaviour-driven change, positioning nature as a partner, and shifting consumer demand to support nature-positive products, strengthening corporate action on environmental sustainability. Together, these efforts signal a shift toward inclusive and sustainable biodiversity governance, supported by the Biological Diversity Act (2002).For effective implementation, the KMGBF emphasizes a 'whole-of-government and whole-of-society' approach, urging nations to mobilise public institutions, local communities, indigenous people, the private sector, and civil society in co-ordinated efforts. For India, aligning national policy and resources around biodiversity conservation is a critical the KMGBF's financial mobilisation target, an additional $700 billion per year globally, requires co-ordinated efforts across sectors. This scale of investment can only be realised through a collective approach, with the private sector playing a critical role alongside governments and India, the private sector accounts for over 30% of the GDP, and influences land use, supply chains, and natural resources. Therefore, corporate engagement is essential not just for compliance, but to also access green finance, reduce ecological risk, and align with growing global expectations for ethical and sustainable some companies have begun directing corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds toward nature-based solutions (NbS), the overall adoption remains limited. A 2024 study found that about 70% of India's top 100 companies now integrate NbS into their sustainability strategies, but only 15% have allocated more than 2% of CSR budgets to such initiatives. Regulatory uncertainty, high upfront costs, low short-term returns, and limited capacity in biodiversity risk assessment continue to discourage investment. Meanwhile, greenwashing concerns deter companies from disclosing actions without robust monitoring systems.A sustainable path forward requires all stakeholders — governments, businesses, communities, academia, and civil society — to act in collaboration. National and state governments must strengthen legal frameworks, invest in large-scale restoration, and ensure biodiversity considerations are mainstreamed across all sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, and industry. Fiscal tools such as tax incentives, concessional loans, green credits, and biodiversity-linked credits for companies investing in restoration, sustainable agriculture, and mangrove conservation can help bridge India's $50 billion biodiversity finance private sector must move beyond compliance toward active stewardship, by adopting science-based targets, building nature-positive supply chains, and practicing transparent biodiversity disclosures aligned with KMGBF goals. To enhance green cover and address ecological challenges, pooled financing mechanisms like a biodiversity investment fund can channel CSR and green finance into scalable restoration support for innovative models such as land sharing, leasing, or acquisition for reforestation and wildlife corridors can promote biodiversity conservation, enhance carbon sequestration, and mitigate human-wildlife conflict. To address past inequities, governments and corporates must jointly implement ABS frameworks that ensure fair compensation for local and Indigenous communities, fostering long-term trust and cooperation, as outlined in the Nagoya a globalized world where consumption, finance, and supply chains are interconnected, international cooperation and knowledge sharing are essential. 'Harmony with nature and sustainable development' — the theme of this International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22) — must not remain a theme, it must become a shared commitment. We must shift from using nature for short-term gain to working with it for long-term well-being. Nature is not a backdrop to development; it is our co-architect, our sustainer, and our enduring partner.(Aniruddh Soni is Fellow, and Neha Sharma is Research Associate, Land Resources Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).)Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Jnanabharathi Campus to be a heritage site?
heritage site declaration Jnanabharathi Campus Bangalore University The Jnanabharathi campus is Bengaluru's biggest lung space, in 2002-2003, we planted seven lakh trees belonging to 700 species, which are today acting as the biggest carbon sink –Dr AN Yellappa Reddy, an environmentalist urban mini-forests Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre has instructed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Forestry, Ecology and Environment to submit a proposal for declaring the Bangalore Universityas a heritage site under the Biological Diversity Act (BDA), step is being taken after various proposed development activities have been declared in the recent past, posing a threat to the campus's proposal highlighted that there are many large trees on theJnanabharathi Campus, and underscored the department's responsibility in safeguarding its rich biodiversity. It emphasised the need to protect the campus's green belt, ensuring its preservation for future generations and contributing to the city's environmental sustainability. 'However, efforts are being made to cut down these trees to undertake various construction works, it is hereby directed to submit a proposal in the file, if it is possible to declare this green campus of Bangalore University as a heritage site under the Biodiversity Act, 2002,' read the letter by the Minister. The Minister also clarified that the step is being taken after an appeal from environmentalists to protect biodiversity on the Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar's pet project – South Asia's tallest skydeck, is also planned on 25 acres of land at the campus that is teeming with to renowned environmentalist Dr AN Yellappa Reddy, who created the forest cover and bioparks on the campus nearly two decades ago, all the proposed development projects on the campus, including the skydeck, should be scrapped and the campus should be declared a heritage site on the lines of Nallur Tamarind Grove in Devanahalli.'The Jnanabharathi campus is Bengaluru's biggest lung space. In 2002-2003, we planted seven lakh trees belonging to 700 species, which are today acting as the biggest carbon sink,' he said. He highlighted that contour bunds were also created to preserve rainwater on campus, which has led to an improvement in the groundwater table by nearly ten feet. 'The campus is home to hundreds of birds and other flora and fauna. All these measures were then taken with public contribution, and all native species of the Western Ghats are growing ex-situ on the campus. It is only apt that the campus is declared a heritage site,' he said that if taken forward, the move will ensure that the educational campus does not turn into a tourism center.'Plantation across the campus was taken up systematically more than two decades ago. A yoga center proposed a few years ago was vehemently opposed to ensure that the green cover is intact,' said Dattatreya Devare, trustee of Bangalore Environment Trust, noting that today, the native forest on the campus, along with its biodiversity, are thriving, and declaring it a heritage site is a step in the right the Biodiversity Act (section 37), areas of biodiversity importance can be notified as heritage sites, and measures can be taken for the management of such sites. Such areas are notified based on the recommendations of the State Biodiversity Nishant, a member of Bengaluru's Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), said that the benefits of biodiversity parks on the campus and ecosystem services provided to the environment and society are unmatched. 'BMC has been looking at analysing ecosystem services that the Jnanabharathi forest provides to the citizens of Bengaluru. Theseshould be conserved and not subjected to any developmental activities. In case a developmental activity cannot be avoided, it should be done vertically. We will soon meet the BU administration to discuss the living resources on the campus and the important role they play as Bengaluru's lung space,' said Nishant.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Time of India
Plaint against actress for eating wild animals' meat
Mumbai: City-based animal rights NGOs have lodged a joint complaint with the state forest department against film actor Chhaya Kadam . Kadam recently claimed in a social media interview that she ate the meat of wildlife species such as the mouse deer, porcupines, rabbits, wild boar, and monitor lizard, which are protected species . Activist Sunish S Kunju, who complained on behalf of Plant and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS-Mumbai), OIPA, and Amma Care Foundation (ACF), said: "We have also attached the YouTube link of the interview in which the actor Kadam is saying that she ate the meat of various wild animals. This is an acceptance of crime under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002." You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The chief conservator of forests, K Pradeepa, told TOI: "We have received the complaint against the actress (Kadam), and so she has been summoned to appear before the deputy conservator of forests (Thane) in order to take her statement and further inquire into the issue." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Direct shopping From Adidas Franchise Store... Adidas Buy Now Undo Meanwhile, Kunju further stated: "If public figures like actors start making careless remarks which violate wildlife conservation laws, then there can be more illegal poaching and hunting of animals in the jungles. Hence, we want strict action on this issue."
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Chhaya Kadam faces forest department probe after saying she ate meat of protected animals like monitor lizard, porcupine
All We Imagine As Light actor Chhaya Kadam has come under scrutiny of the forest department after a Mumbai-based group, Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), complained about her allegedly consuming wildlife meat. A Free Press Journal report states that that the actor will be called in for an investigation soon. (Also Read: Chhaya Kadam reveals she was 'disappointed' on Jhund sets, recalls Amitabh Bachchan helped her: He's still macho man…) Roshan Rathod, Divisional Forest Officer (Vigilance), confirmed to the publication that they have received a complaint, which was forwarded to the Chief Conservator of Forests to the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) for inquiry. He also confirmed that Chhaya will be 'called in for investigation soon'. Rakesh Bhoir, the investigating officer in the case, told the publication, 'We got in touch with Kadam over the phone, where she informed us that she is out of town for a professional trip and will return only after four days. She has informed her of she seeking a legal advice and appearing before us for the investigation.' The report states that Chhaya admitted in a video interview to a radio channel to having allegedly consumed wildlife meat. Another officer, on the condition of anonymity, told the publication that poachers in the area will be tracked down based on the information she gave in the interview. In their complaint, PAWS reportedly wrote that they came across an interview of Chhaya with Mirchi Marathi, in which 'she claimed to have eaten meat of protected wildlife species such as mouse deer, rabbits, wild boar, monitor lizard, and porcupine.' Because this sends a 'wrong message to the public' and is an offence under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the group requested that the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, also be applied and that legal action be taken against her and others involved. Sunish Subramanian Kunju, Honorary Wildlife Warden and founder of OIPA, AMMA Care Foundation, and PAWS-Mumbai, who sent the letter, described it as 'shocking' to see a public figure openly admit to consuming meat from protected animals.
News18
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Chhaya Kadam Faces Legal Heat As PAWS Mumbai Accuses Her Of Consuming Wildlife Meat
PAWS has asked Thane forest officials to investigate actress Chhaya Kadam after she claimed in an interview to have eaten meat from protected wild animals. A Mumbai-based group, Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), has written to forest officials in Thane after an interview with actress Chhaya Kadam went viral. In the interview, she reportedly said she had eaten meat from protected wild animals. PAWS has asked the forest department to look into the matter and take legal action against her and anyone else involved in hunting or eating wild animals. Roshan Rathod, Divisional Forest Officer (Vigilance), stated, 'We have received the complaint. It has been forwarded by the Chief Conservator of Forests to the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) for inquiry. The actress will be called in for investigation soon." In the complaint, PAWS stated, 'Our team came across an interview of actress Chhaya Kadam where she claimed to have eaten meat of protected wildlife species such as mouse deer, rabbits, wild boar, monitor lizard, and porcupine in a radio interview posted on YouTube. This sends a wrong message to the public and constitutes an offence under various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. We also request that relevant sections of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 be applied. The interview should be considered as an admission of guilt. We urge you to investigate and take legal action against her and others involved in this criminal activity of wildlife poaching for meat." Sunish Subramanian Kunju, Honorary Wildlife Warden and founder of OIPA, AMMA Care Foundation, and PAWS-Mumbai, who sent the letter, said, 'It is shocking to see a public figure openly admit to consuming meat from protected wildlife species. On one hand, we are working hard to raise awareness about wildlife conservation, and on the other hand, some individuals are openly breaking the law. The forest department must investigate where she obtained this meat and take legal action against all those involved in the poaching." Chhaya Kadam is yet to react to the controversy. First Published: April 30, 2025, 14:36 IST
