A recent study by the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London has revealed that biodiversity is declining more rapidly within protected areas than outside them. 

Key Findings of the Study

• Faster Decline in Biodiversity Inside Protected Areas:The  biodiversity has decreased by 2.1 percentage points within protected critical biodiversity areas (CBAs) from 2000 to 2020. 
  • Surprisingly, biodiversity in non-protected CBAs saw a slightly lower decline of 1.9 percentage points. This finding suggests that the existing approach to conservation within protected areas may be inadequate.
• Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) Decline: Globally, BII decreased by 1.88 percentage points between 2000 and 2020, highlighting the limitations of current conservation practices.
  • BII is  a measure estimating how much natural biodiversity remains in a region. 
• Challenges within Protected Areas:
• Partial Ecosystem Protection: Many protected areas focus on specific species instead of preserving entire ecosystems, which reduces “biodiversity intactness.”
• Existing Degradation: Some protected areas were already experiencing biodiversity loss before their designation, making them challenging to restore fully.
• Resource Extraction: Oil, gas, and mining concessions within protected zones pose a significant threat. 
  • For example more than 65% of Conkouati-Douli National Park in the Republic of the Congo is occupied by oil and gas concessions.
• Climate Change Impacts: Increased droughts and wildfires, fueled by the climate crisis, have further degraded protected areas.
  • Australia’s national parks, some of the world’s most strictly protected, suffered severe damage during the 2019 wildfires.

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What Are Protected Areas?

• Protected areas are regions designated for the conservation of nature and biodiversity. 
• They include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and critical biodiversity areas (CBAs), which house vital ecosystems like wetlands and rainforests. 
• These areas are intended to limit human activities, offering refuge to endangered species and preserving biodiversity.
• India’s Protected Areas:India has a network of 1014 Protected Areas covering about 5.28% of its total geographic area. 
• Protected areas in India have been categorized according to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. It categorized protected areas into four categories:
  • National Parks (106)
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries (573)
  • Conservation Reserves (115)
  • Community Reserves (220)

• Global Targets for Protected Area: The 30×30 Initiative, adopted at the Biodiversity COP15, aims to conserve at least 30% of the world’s lands and oceans by 2030. 
  • This goal, supported by international policymakers, emphasizes expanding protected area coverage to prevent biodiversity loss and secure ecosystem services.

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Recommendations For Protected Areas

• Enhanced Conservation Efforts: Researchers stress that simply expanding protected area coverage is insufficient.
  • Conservation policies should focus on maintaining ecosystem integrity, not just achieving coverage goals.
• Strict Protection Measures: Strengthening protection and addressing ongoing threats like resource extraction are essential. 
  • Policymakers must also address the climate-related risks that exacerbate biodiversity loss in these regions.
• Regional Analysis for Tailored Solutions: Conservation strategies should be adapted to the specific needs of each protected area, as biodiversity loss drivers vary across regions.
• Continued Commitment to the 30×30 Initiative: While expanding protected areas remains a priority, emphasis should also be on conserving the ecosystems within these regions effectively to meet biodiversity and climate goals.

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