India unveiled its National Red List Roadmap on Thursday to establish a nationally coordinated system for assessing and conserving species, marking a major step toward fulfilling its biodiversity commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh led the Indian delegation at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, where he launched the initiative.
A National Red List Assessment is a scientific process to evaluate the conservation status of a country’s flora and fauna using the IUCN Red List Criteria.
The minister said the roadmap reflected India’s dedication to biodiversity documentation, threat assessment and biodiversity conservation.
He described the IUCN event as a gathering that “embodies our collective commitment to safeguarding nature and shaping a sustainable future.”
Vision 2025–2030 for Biodiversity
Singh presented India’s Vision 2025–2030 for the NRLA, as prepared by the Zoological Survey of India and the Botanical Survey of India in collaboration with IUCN-India and the Centre for Species Survival, India.
“This vision outlines our roadmap for a nationally coordinated, inclusive and science-based system to assess and monitor the conservation status of our species,” he said.
Global Biodiversity Hotspots
India is one of 17 megadiverse countries, home to four of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots — the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma and Sundaland.
Though it covers only 2.4 percent of the world’s land area, India hosts nearly 8 percent of global flora and 7.5 percent of global fauna.
More than 28 percent of its plants and 30 percent of its animals are endemic. The country has a robust legal framework, including the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, amended in 2022 to extend protection to species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Toward a Science-Based Conservation System
To meet international biodiversity targets, the minister announced the launch of the NRLA initiative, aligned with IUCN global standards. The program aims to create a nationally coordinated system for accurate assessment, conservation planning and evidence-based policy development.
Singh emphasized the importance of documenting traditional knowledge to enhance biodiversity conservation.
Red Data Books by 2030
India aims to publish National Red Data Books for both flora and fauna by 2030. These will serve as the foundation for conservation and development planning. The assessment will follow IUCN’s globally accepted scientific guidelines for evaluating species threats.
“This is a landmark initiative that will position India as a leader in biodiversity assessment,” Singh said. “It will bring together scientists, policymakers, and conservation experts to protect our natural heritage.”
Collaborative National Effort
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will lead the initiative, with ZSI and BSI as nodal agencies. While countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and China have conducted similar assessments, India’s Red List effort is expected to be among the most comprehensive and collaborative.
It will unite taxonomists, conservation biologists, and subject experts across institutions in a coordinated national framework.
Strengthening Science and Policy Links
Singh said that accurate species identification will be central to the effort. “Our taxonomic institutions excel in this area,” he said, noting that the initiative will strengthen links between scientists and policymakers to ensure conservation decisions are grounded in robust science.
The minister said the NRLA highlights India’s strong commitment to the global sustainability agenda.
“Through this initiative, India reaffirms its dedication to a science-based, equitable, and people-centric approach to biodiversity conservation,” Singh added. “With strong partnerships, rigorous data, and collective will, India will continue to collaborate with the world to protect our shared natural heritage.”
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