BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
In the heart of Abu Dhabi, amid the global chorus of conservationists at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, India’s Union Minister Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh ignited a beacon of hope on October 9, 2025. His keynote wasn’t mere rhetoric, it was a thunderclap declaration of India’s unyielding charge against biodiversity’s silent extinction. Launching the National Red List Assessment (NRLA) Vision 2025–2030, Singh positioned India not as a bystander in the climate crisis, but as a vanguard, wielding science and sovereignty to shield the planet’s irreplaceable treasures.
This isn’t just policy jargon; it’s a seismic shift. India, cradling 8% of the world’s flora and 7.5% of its fauna on a mere 2.4% of Earth’s canvas, stands as a megadiverse marvel. From the snow-capped Himalayas teeming with elusive snow leopards to the coral-laden Indian Ocean pulsing with over 20,000 marine species, our ecosystems are living symphonies of evolution. Yet, they’re under siege, deforestation, climate upheaval, and human encroachment threaten over 28% of endemic plants and 30% of animals unique to our soil.
The NRLA, forged in alliance with the Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, IUCN India, and the Centre for Species Survival, is India’s counterstrike. Aligned with IUCN’s rigorous red-listing protocols, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, it promises comprehensive assessments of over 1,04,000 faunal species and 18,800 angiosperms, plus fungi, lichens, and beyond.
By 2030, Red Data Books for flora and fauna will emerge as arsenals of truth, evidence-based blueprints for conservation, urban planning, and threat neutralization. Imagine: policymakers armed with data pinpointing vulnerable species, from the majestic Bengal tiger to the delicate Andaman day gecko. This initiative eclipses regional peers like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and China in ambition, scale, and collaborative firepower. Bolstered by the revamped Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972, now harmonized with CITES, it fortifies India’s legal ramparts, ensuring no species slips through the cracks.
Globally, the IUCN Red List’s grim tally of 163,000 species, with 28% teetering on oblivion, underscores the urgency. India’s NRLA bridges yawning knowledge voids, fueling policies that transcend borders. Singh’s words resonate: this is “people-centric” conservation, weaving communities, scientists, and governments into a resilient tapestry. It’s not hyperbole; it’s imperative. In an era where biodiversity loss rivals climate change as humanity’s existential foe, India’s blueprint could inspire a domino effect, rallying nations to mimic its meticulous, inclusive model.
Yet, challenges loom, funding, enforcement, and climate volatility demand unwavering resolve. Success hinges on execution: translating vision into action, from grassroots monitoring to international pacts. As Singh affirmed, this is India’s pledge to a sustainable legacy, safeguarding our shared heritage for generations unborn. In Abu Dhabi, India didn’t just speak; it roared, reclaiming its role as a global steward. The world watches—will we deliver? The NRLA isn’t optional; it’s our lifeline to a thriving planet.
