NEW DELHI: The 19th edition of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF 19) held in New York, highlighted the critical need to halt deforestation and combat further land degradation by 2030. Central to the discussions was the imperative to achieve global forest goals and advance sustainable development targets by the end of the decade.
During the meet, India showcased its progress in forest conservation, citing a consistent increase in forest cover over the past 15 years. The nation underscored its commitment to sustainable forest management and conservation efforts, highlighting significant expansions in protected areas, including wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, tiger reserves, biosphere reserves, and other wildlife habitats.
It further mentioned about the implementation of the green credit programme, aimed at restoring degraded forest lands and promoting tree planting through incentivisation measures. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India, pointed its landmark initiatives such as the 50-year-old Project Tiger and the 30-year-old Project Elephant, stating that it underscored India’s dedication to species conservation and habitat protection. It also highlighted the creation of the International Big Cat Alliance which is another important step in protecting and conserving the seven big cat species around the world.