Hindustan Times

Key Arguments

1. India’s Integrated Conservation Model
   ○ The editorial, authored by Bhupender Yadav (Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change), highlights India’s holistic approach that combines wildlife protection, afforestation, and climate action.
   ○ India’s forest and tree cover — at 24.62% and 29.81% respectively — reflects steady progress toward ecological restoration.
2. Institutional and Policy Evolution
   ○ Frameworks such as the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP), and Project Elephant represent the institutionalization of conservation.
   ○ Conservation has been integrated with climate resilience and carbon sequestration objectives, linking biodiversity protection with national climate policy.
3. Ecosystem-based Climate Resilience
   ○ Creation of buffer zones, eco-sensitive areas, and wildlife corridors strengthens ecological continuity.
   ○ Restoration of wetlands, grasslands, and mangroves enhances both biodiversity and carbon sink capacity.
4. Success Stories and Species Revival
   ○ India has witnessed population resurgence of tigers, lions, elephants, and dolphins due to long-term monitoring and project-based conservation models (e.g., Project Tiger, Project Lion).
   ○ Such recoveries illustrate the synergy between science-based policy and community engagement.

Author’s Stance

● Strongly affirmative and nationalist tone, portraying India as a global leader in conservation-driven climate action.
● The author emphasizes policy integration — combining growth with ecological stewardship — and positions India’s approach as a template for the Global South.
● The stance is policy-defensive, highlighting achievements while framing India’s model as internationally replicable.

Possible Biases

● habitat loss or local displacement.
● Data selectivity Governmental bias: Predictably accentuates success stories while underreporting challenges like: Uses achievement-based statistics but omits third-party verification or ground-level variations.
● Over-optimism: Suggests uniform success across India despite state-wise disparities in implementation and outcomes.

Pros

● Integrated Policy Design: Aligns wildlife protection with climate action — avoiding fragmented environmental approaches.
● Institutional Continuity: Flagship programs (Project Tiger, Project Elephant, CAMPA) show long-term policy consistency.
● Quantifiable Gains: Increase in forest area and wildlife population indicates measurable ecological recovery.
● Ecosystem Co-benefits: Afforestation and eco-sensitive zoning enhance biodiversity, water retention, and carbon storage.
● Global Synergy: Policies resonate with CBD, CITES, and UNFCCC biodiversity goals.

Cons

● Uneven Implementation: Conservation gains are not uniformly distributed; deforestation persists in the Northeast and Western Ghats.
● Human–Wildlife Conflict: Expansion of protected zones often intensifies local livelihood tensions.
● Funding Limitations: Many programs remain project-centric rather than ecosystem-centric, limiting long-term sustainability.
● Limited External Audit: Most data are government-sourced, lacking independent validation.
● Weak Carbon Quantification: Lacks transparent data on carbon sequestration potential of afforestation projects.

Policy Implications

1. Strengthening Climate–Conservation Nexus (GS Paper III):
○ Integrate carbon accounting and ecosystem service valuation into national forest management.

2. Community-led Conservation (GS Paper II):
○ Empower local and tribal communities through co-management of protected areas and biodiversity councils.

3. Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Development (GS Paper II):
○ Mandate ecological impact assessments in infrastructure projects — highways, railways, and mining.

4. Data-driven Governance (GS Paper III):
○ Establish a National Ecological Database for real-time tracking of forest cover, wildlife corridors, and species diversity.

5. Global Diplomacy (GS Paper II – IR):
○ Use India’s conservation model as soft-power diplomacy in G20, COP, and South–South environmental collaborations.

Real-World Impact

● Environmental: Improves ecosystem services — pollination, soil stability, and water conservation.
● Economic: Supports biodiversity-based livelihoods and ecotourism.
● Social: Enhances rural resilience through participatory forest management.
● Global: Strengthens India’s climate credibility and leadership in nature-based solutions.
However, without scientific accountability and financial transparency, on-ground conservation may lag behind policy ambition.

Relevance to UPSC GS Papers

Balanced Summary and Future Perspectives

Bhupender Yadav’s editorial highlights how India’s conservation strategy doubles as climate action — combining ecological restoration, policy coherence, and global leadership. The revival of flagship species and increased green cover validate India’s multi-layered environmental governance.
Yet, challenges of community displacement, uneven performance, and limited independent assessment persist.

Future Outlook:
● Integrate biodiversity indices into national development metrics and SDGs.
● Promote adaptive forest management aligned with regional climate variations.
● Build climate-smart ecological corridors linking fragmented habitats.
● Enhance biodiversity finance and international technology collaboration.

Final Takeaway

India’s wildlife conservation model exemplifies how ecological integrity can coexist with development. By aligning biodiversity protection with climate goals, India not only preserves nature but also positions itself as a moral and policy leader in global environmental diplomacy.
The next phase must focus on scientific validation, community participation, and transparent monitoring — ensuring that conservation success is as deep in practice as it is in policy.