NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday launched a compilation of environment-related knowledge, displaying 72% improve within the variety of protected areas and round 16% improve in space underneath the protected panorama within the nation throughout the 2000 to 2023 interval.
Launched by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation, the compilation – EnviStats India 2024: Atmosphere Accounts – additionally exhibits a rise of protection of mangroves, key elements of the nation’s ocean ecosystem, by round 8% throughout 2013-2021 interval (Mangroves areas elevated from 4,627 sq km in 2013 to 4,992 sq km in 2021).
Mangroves – shrubs or timber develop primarily in coastal saline or brackish water – not solely defend coastlines from erosion but in addition function essential carbon sinks, retaining natural matter in sediments and residing biomass.
Protected Areas are declared underneath the Wildlife (Safety) Act, 1972. It contains nationwide parks, wildlife sanctuaries, group reserves and conservation reserves. Information exhibits that the variety of protected areas elevated from 594 within the 12 months 2000 to 1022 in 2023 whereas the precise areas underneath it elevated from 1.54 lakh sq km to 1.78 lakh sq km throughout the interval.
Out of 1022 protected areas in 2023, the nation has 573 wildlife sanctuaries (1.27 lakh sq km), 220 group reserves (1,455 sq km), 123 conservation reserves (5,585 sq km) and 106 nationwide parks (44,403 sq km).
These figures and different knowledge had been launched by the ministry within the seventh consecutive 12 months underneath System of Environmental Financial Accounting (SEEA) Framework which is an agreed worldwide instrument for the compilation of the setting financial accounts.
The present publication covers a brand new space – Ocean Accounts, bringing out knowledge for among the extent and the situation parameters associated to the oceans. It additionally presents the up to date values of Soil Nutrient Index compiled utilizing the knowledge collected for getting ready Soil Well being Playing cards for the 12 months 2023-24.
