Governments from all around the world gathered for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity's 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15). Over the next ten years, participants were expected to devise new objectives and a plan of action for nature. From December 7 to December 19, 2022, the meeting was held in Montréal, Quebec, the location of the UNCBD Secretariat. The UN honored 10 ground-breaking initiatives for their contributions to repairing the natural world at Cop 15 from throughout the globe. The winning projects have been named World Restoration Flagships and are qualified to receive promotion, guidance, or funding from the UN. They were chosen as part of the global initiative organized by the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
The Ganges River Rejuvenation project in India is one of these initiatives. According to a UN news release, a significant effort is being made to reduce pollution, regenerate forest cover, and provide a wide range of benefits to the 520 million people who live in and around the huge basin of the Ganges, India's holiest river. The Ganges has deteriorated over its arcing 2525-kilometer path from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal as a result of climate change, population increase, industry, and irrigation.
The government-led "Namami Gange" effort, which was started in 2014, involves reviving, safeguarding, and conserving the Ganges and its tributaries, reforesting areas of the Ganges basin, and fostering sustainable agriculture. Additionally, it seeks to resurrect important animal species like the hilsa shad fish, softshell turtles, river dolphins, and otters.
The Indian government has made up to $4.25 billion in investments. 230 groups are involved in the program, and 1500 kilometers of the river have been repaired thus far. In addition, 30,000 hectares of afforestation have already been completed, with a 134,000-hectare target by 2030.
One of the winners is the Abu Dhabi Marine Restoration project in the United Arab Emirates. The drive in the UAE along the Gulf coast has as one of its objectives protecting the second-largest dugong population in the world, according to the UN news release. Four different types of turtles and three different dolphin species will benefit from the project in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The recovery of some of the 500 fish species would benefit local communities, and there will be more prospects for ecotourism. As one of the world's warmest waters, Abu Dhabi aims to make sure that its coastal ecosystems are resilient in the face of climate change and fast coastal development. A coastline area of about 7500 hectares Several sections have already been rehabilitated, and another 4500 hectares will be by 2030.
"Changing our relationship with nature is the key to reverse the triple planetary disaster of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste," stated UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen. With political will, research, and international cooperation, we can accomplish the objectives of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration and create a more sustainable future for both the planet and those of us who call it home. This is demonstrated by the ten initial World Restoration Flagships.
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is honoring the best cases of extensive and sustained ecosystem restoration in any nation or region through the World Restoration Flagships, which exemplify the 10 Restoration Principles of the UN Decade. India has emphasized the critical need during the meeting to establish a new, special fund to assist developing nations in putting into action a post-2020 global plan to stop and reverse biodiversity loss. India has also stated that while climate change also affects wildlife, biodiversity protection must be based on "Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities" (CBDR).
There have been repeated calls for the inclusion of the CBDR principle in finance-related targets as the 196 parties to the Convention worked to complete discussions for a post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), a new set of goals and targets to prevent and reverse biodiversity loss. The GBF has worked to get the "30x30" conservation target approved. By creating protected areas and taking other area-based conservation measures, the "30x30" conservation target aims to preserve 30% of the land and oceans on the planet.
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