Switch to desktop mode for a better experience.
UID: SDG-15-20240822-IN-15
Download
Meta Data
Source
Last Updated
Time Range
Periodicity
Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15), “Life on Land,” is crucial to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This goal focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, managing forests sustainably, combating desertification, halting and reversing land degradation, and halting biodiversity loss. SDG 15 is essential for maintaining the health of our planet, as land ecosystems are the foundation for biodiversity, food security, and climate regulation. SDG 15 plays a vital role in environmental sustainability by ensuring that land and natural resources are managed to support long-term ecological balance. Forests, which cover about 31% of the Earth’s land area, are home to over 80% of terrestrial species and provide essential services such as carbon sequestration, water purification, and soil stabilization. Achieving SDG 15 is critical for mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and supporting livelihoods, particularly in rural and indigenous communities.
Forest coverage varies dramatically, from as low as 3.62% in Haryana to over 90% in Lakshadweep. Many northeastern states like Mizoram (85.41%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.63%), and Meghalaya (76.33%) show impressively high forest cover. This regional disparity highlights the diverse ecological landscapes across India and the need for tailored conservation strategies.
When considering both forest and tree cover, some states show notable improvements. For instance, Chandigarh, despite being a primarily urban area, achieves 41.66% coverage due to significant tree cover (22.34%). This underscores the importance of urban greening initiatives in enhancing overall green cover.
Land degradation emerges as a significant concern for many states. Rajasthan faces the highest percentage of degraded land (52.69%), likely due to its arid climate and desertification. Other states like Nagaland (47.05%), Jammu & Kashmir (46.22%), and Maharashtra (35.72%) also show substantial land degradation, indicating a pressing need for land restoration efforts.
Desertification trends vary widely, with some states showing alarming increases. Mizoram reports a staggering 95.52% increase in desertification, while Punjab shows a 55.35% increase. Conversely, Uttar Pradesh shows a decrease of 16.69%, suggesting some success in combating desertification. These disparities highlight the complex nature of environmental challenges across different regions.
Afforestation efforts, as indicated by the area covered under afforestation schemes, show varying levels of commitment. Telangana leads with 4.37% of its geographical area under such schemes, while many states report less than 1%. This suggests room for improvement in active forest restoration initiatives across most of India.
The data on wildlife protection cases per million hectares of protected area provides insight into conservation enforcement. West Bengal reports the highest number (115 cases), followed by Goa (101) and Haryana (90). However, many states report very few cases, which could indicate either strong compliance or weak enforcement of wildlife protection laws.
Overall, this data paints a complex picture of India’s progress towards SDG 15. While some states demonstrate strong forest cover and conservation efforts, others face significant challenges with deforestation, land degradation, and desertification. The variability across states underscores the need for region-specific approaches to land and forest management, as well as increased efforts in afforestation and combating desertification. Furthermore, the data suggests that a balance must be struck between conservation and development, particularly in states with high forest cover but also high rates of land degradation or desertification.
Please cite this article using proper attribution to 360 Analytika when referencing or sharing our content.
hello@360analytika.com
Siliguri, West Bengal, India
Copyright © 360 Analytika | All Rights Reserved