At the ongoing 16th Conference of Parties (CoP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, delivered a national statement, highlighting India’s commitment to conserving biological resources.
During his address, he congratulated Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s Minister of Environment, on assuming the COP Presidency from Huang Runqiu of China, recognising the significance of global cooperation in addressing environmental challenges.

Singh emphasised India’s deep-rooted cultural reverence for nature, stating that the country has a long tradition of honouring Mother Earth, akin to honouring one’s own mother. He underscored India’s status as one of the world’s 17 mega-diverse nations, which host four out of the 36 globally recognized biodiversity hotspots. 

To illustrate this commitment, he spoke about the nationwide tree plantation campaign launched by the Prime Minister, titled “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” or “Plant4Mother,” which aims to restore and protect biodiversity as part of the celebrations for World Environment Day.

The Minister also highlighted the ancient Indian philosophy of “Peace with Nature,” which aligns with contemporary initiatives like the “Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)” movement. This global campaign promotes environmentally friendly lifestyles, reflecting India’s enduring respect for ecological harmony. He pointed out India’s significant strides in wildlife conservation, notably through the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), aimed at protecting seven major big cat species, which serve as indicators of healthy ecosystems.

Singh noted the international recognition of India’s efforts in rejuvenating the Ganga River through the “Namami Gange” Mission, which has been identified as one of the top 10 World Restoration Flagships. He also mentioned the impressive increase in Ramsar sites, which have risen from 26 to 85 since 2014, with plans to reach 100 soon.

Reiterating a comprehensive approach, the Minister discussed India’s “Whole of Government” and “Whole of Society” strategy for updating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), aligning it with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). He stressed the importance of providing financial resources, technology, and capacity building for effective implementation.

Singh reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to protecting both national and global biodiversity for present and future generations, embodying the spirit of “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam” – “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” His remarks underscored the need for collective action in safeguarding the planet’s ecological heritage.