India Launches National Red List Assessment Programme to Strengthen Global Biodiversity Commitments
ABU DHABI, UAE [09/10/2025]
India reaffirmed its strong commitment to the global biodiversity and climate change agenda at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, Abu Dhabi, through the presentation of its landmark initiative, the National Red List Assessment (NRLA) Programme. On this occasion, India also released the Vision 2030 Document, which outlines the prioritized species, timelines, and methodological framework for undertaking the assessments. The initiative is firmly aligned with the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting India’s integrated approach towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
The programme, led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, represents a significant step towards aligning India’s national conservation priorities with global frameworks. The initiative will serve as the foundation for a coordinated and comprehensive assessment of India’s rich biological diversity. The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) are leading this flagship endeavour in collaboration with IUCN–India and the Centre for Species Survival: India.
Over the next five years, the programme aims to train and certify 300 assessors, including scientists and domain experts, to undertake the assessment of more than 11,000 species of India’s flora and fauna. Interim volumes will focus on endemic and threatened species. This exercise will establish a secure and accessible national biodiversity database, creating a central resource for evidence-based policy formulation, conservation planning, and identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs).
The NRLA embodies India’s inclusive and collaborative approach by engaging scientists, research institutions, and conservation networks across the country. The initiative aligns seamlessly with national programmes on ecosystem restoration, wildlife conservation, and climate resilience, reinforcing that biodiversity conservation is intrinsically linked to climate action and sustainable development. Through the Vision 2030 framework, India extends its continued partnership and best wishes to the IUCN and global collaborators in the shared endeavour to safeguard the planet’s natural heritage for future generations.
