India’s Culturally Rooted and Evidence-Based Conservation Vision at IUCN

At the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress held in Abu Dhabi, India showcased a visionary approach to environmental protection — one that intertwines cultural heritage with scientific evidence. Representing India, Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasized that the country’s conservation ethos is “evidence-based, equity-driven, and culturally rooted.” This philosophy reflects India’s unique environmental identity, where ancient traditions and modern science converge to create sustainable solutions for the planet’s future.

The importance of conserving natural resources and living in harmony with nature is deeply rooted in Indian culture and traditions. (Kirti Vardhan Singh | Official X account) | Hindustan Times

Blending Heritage and Modern Science

India’s conservation values are deeply anchored in its cultural consciousness. Long before global environmental movements began, Indian civilization practiced coexistence with nature — from the sacred reverence for rivers and trees to the careful management of natural resources. Minister Singh reminded the global audience that sustainability is not a new concept for India but an inherent way of life that has guided communities for centuries.

He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship initiative, Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), launched during COP26 in Glasgow in 2021. The mission aims to inspire behavioral change worldwide by encouraging people to move away from “mindless and destructive consumption” toward “mindful and deliberate utilization.” This approach aligns ancient wisdom with the modern fight against climate change, transforming cultural philosophy into actionable global policy.

Singh also stressed that science and traditional knowledge should not stand in opposition but rather work in harmony. India’s approach seeks to scientifically validate and integrate indigenous practices into formal conservation and climate adaptation frameworks. This blending of empirical research with cultural understanding reflects a model that is uniquely holistic — rooted in heritage, yet progressive in outlook.

Local Knowledge: The Heart of Indian Conservation

Drawing from India’s diverse ecological and cultural landscapes, Singh shared several instances where indigenous knowledge continues to play a vital role in environmental management. Among the Toda tribes of the Nilgiris, the nesting behavior of ants is still used to forecast the arrival of monsoons. In the Andaman Islands, Jarawa communities can predict cyclones by observing fish movements and ocean patterns. In the arid lands of Rajasthan, ancient stepwells — intricately designed subterranean water systems — have served as sustainable models for water conservation long before modern engineering introduced such solutions.

These examples underline the timeless symbiosis between people and nature that defines India’s ecological wisdom. Singh urged global policymakers and conservationists to take these lessons seriously, arguing that integrating indigenous knowledge into mainstream policy is not just cultural preservation — it’s a pragmatic strategy for ecological resilience in the age of climate crisis.

The National Red List Assessment: A Scientific Roadmap

Taking this philosophy forward, India has embarked on one of its most ambitious biodiversity documentation efforts — the National Red List Assessment (NRLA) initiative. Announced at the IUCN forum, the project aligns with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The NRLA Vision 2025–2030 aims to document and assess the extinction risks of nearly 11,000 species, including 7,000 flora and 4,000 fauna species across India’s varied ecosystems.

This nationwide framework is being executed collaboratively by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Botanical Survey of India (BSI), IUCN-India, and the Centre for Species Survival, India. Singh described the initiative as a “nationally coordinated, inclusive, and science-based system” that will strengthen India’s accountability and precision in species monitoring.

India, which occupies only 2.4% of the world’s land area, harbors nearly 8% of global plant diversity and 7.5% of fauna, making it one of the planet’s most biodiverse nations. Four recognized biodiversity hotspots — the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, Indo-Burma, and Sundaland — make India’s ecological balance crucial for global biodiversity conservation.

Building on a Legacy of Conservation

India’s record in wildlife protection already serves as an inspiration for many developing nations. The success of Project Tiger, launched in 1973, is a prime example — India today houses nearly three-fourths of the world’s tiger population. Similar success stories are seen in the preservation of the Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and other protected areas like the Seshachalam Hills Biosphere and the Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary, which safeguard delicate ecological corridors.

Yet, despite these achievements, India faces growing environmental challenges — from habitat loss and invasive species to pollution and climate-induced stress. The NRLA, coupled with Mission LiFE, represents an integrated response to these complex pressures, balancing ecological preservation with sustainable development.

Challenges and the Way Forward

While India’s conservation vision is both ambitious and culturally rich, it faces practical challenges that demand careful navigation. Strengthening taxonomic research, filling data gaps for lesser-known species, and enhancing inter-sectoral coordination across agriculture, industry, and urban planning are essential steps. Moreover, incorporating traditional knowledge into formal environmental governance requires institutional support, community participation, and ethical safeguards to ensure that local voices remain central in decision-making.

Climate change adds another layer of urgency. As global warming disrupts rainfall patterns, alters species habitats, and increases extreme weather events, conservation must evolve from static protection to dynamic, adaptive management. India’s approach — integrating tradition with technology — could become a global template for climate-resilient environmental governance.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s presence at the IUCN World Conservation Congress highlighted its deeply rooted and evidence-based environmental philosophy, merging cultural heritage with modern scientific frameworks. As Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasized, India’s conservation approach isn’t just about ecological protection—it’s about honoring traditions that have long fostered harmony between humans and nature. Through initiatives like Mission LiFE, which promotes mindful and sustainable lifestyles, India bridges ancient wisdom with the global sustainability agenda. This model demonstrates how traditional ecological knowledge can be validated by science and applied to modern conservation policies worldwide.

The National Red List Assessment and other biodiversity programs reinforce India’s scientific commitment to conservation, ensuring precision and inclusivity in species documentation. Yet, what makes India’s vision distinctive is its reliance on local communities and indigenous knowledge as guiding pillars for sustainability. From ancient stepwells in Rajasthan to tribal weather predictions in the Andamans, India’s ecological wisdom continues to inspire climate-resilient development. This culturally rooted, science-backed framework doesn’t just serve India’s environment—it offers the world a transformative model for living in balance with nature.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, Times of India, Press Information Bureau)