MAINS Current Affairs includes India’s Approach to Biodiversity Conservation & Internationalisation of Higher Education in India

ENVIRONMENT

1. India’s Approach to Biodiversity Conservation

Context: India has adopted an integrated approach towards biodiversity conservation by combining scientific management, habitat restoration, species protection, legal frameworks, and community participation.

India’s Biodiversity Conservation Framework

Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Amended in 2023)

• The Act provides a legal framework for biodiversity governance through national, state, and local-level institutions and supports conservation of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
• The 2023 amendment made implementation more effective and aligned with present conservation requirements.
• Section 39 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• It empowers the Central Government to designate institutions as repositories for biological resources, where newly discovered species must be reported and preserved through voucher specimens.

Scientific and Technical Institutions

• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Botanical Survey of India (BSI) document animal and plant diversity, while the Forest Survey of India (FSI) monitors forest and tree cover through State of Forest Reports.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) supports tiger conservation and habitat management.
• National Biodiversity Authority Fund (NBAF)

• NBAF supports biodiversity governance by providing funds for conservation activities and ensuring benefit-sharing from biological resources.
  • People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR)
• PBR is prepared by Biodiversity Management Committees with local communities to document biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and promote conservation.
  • National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024–2030
• It provides India’s long-term biodiversity conservation strategy and aligns national efforts with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
  • National Red List Roadmap (2025–2030)
• Led by ZSI and BSI with support from IUCN-India, it aims to create a science-based national system for assessing threatened species.
  • Biodiversity Finance India
• Launched in 2015, it identifies biodiversity funding needs and mobilises financial resources for conservation activities.

International Frameworks for Biodiversity Conservation

• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992

• Adopted at the Rio Earth Summit, CBD is a legally binding international agreement focusing on biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and benefit-sharing. India is a party to CBD.
  • Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
• Established in 2012 and known as the “IPCC for Biodiversity,” it provides scientific assessments to support evidence-based biodiversity policies.
  • Ramsar Convention, 1971
• It promotes conservation and sustainable use of wetlands through identification and management of wetlands of international importance.
  • Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn Convention), 1979
• It focuses on conserving migratory terrestrial, marine, and bird species through international cooperation.
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• IUCN maintains the globally recognised Red List of Threatened Species and provides conservation guidelines.
  • Nagoya Protocol
• Adopted during CBD COP-10 in Japan, it ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
  • Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022)
• Adopted at CBD COP15, it aims to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve harmony with nature by 2050.
• Its major goal includes the 30×30 Target — conserving at least 30% of global land and oceans by 2030.

India’s Recent Progress

• Forest and Habitat Conservation

• India is improving biodiversity protection through expansion of protected areas, habitat restoration, and scientific monitoring.
  • Species Conservation
• Focused conservation programmes have strengthened protection of endangered species and their ecosystems.
  • Community Participation
• Local communities are increasingly involved through Biodiversity Management Committees and People’s Biodiversity Registers.
  • Global Commitment
• India submitted its Seventh National Report (NR-7) to CBD, reaffirming its commitment towards international biodiversity goals.

Challenges in Biodiversity Conservation

• Habitat Loss

• Urbanisation, infrastructure expansion, and land-use changes threaten natural ecosystems.
  • Climate Change Impact
• Changing temperature and rainfall patterns affect species distribution and ecosystem stability.
  • Human-Wildlife Conflict
• Expansion of human settlements near wildlife habitats increases conflict between people and animals.
  • Invasive Species and Pollution
• Non-native species, pollution, and unsustainable resource use create pressure on native biodiversity.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Conservation Governance

• Effective implementation of biodiversity laws and coordination among institutions should be improved.
  • Promote Community-Based Conservation
• Greater involvement of local communities and recognition of traditional knowledge can improve conservation outcomes.
  • Increase Biodiversity Financing
• Dedicated funding mechanisms and private participation should be expanded for long-term conservation.
  • Use Science and Technology
• Remote sensing, AI, genetic research, and digital databases should be used for better monitoring and species protection.

Conclusion

India’s biodiversity conservation strategy combines legal protection, scientific research, financial support, and community participation.

With updated strategies, global cooperation, and sustainable resource management, biodiversity protection can become a foundation for India’s inclusive and sustainable development.

GOVERNANCE

2. Internationalisation of Higher Education in India

Context: The Ministry of Education granted a Letter of Approval (LoA) to the University of Liverpool to establish its branch campus in Bengaluru under the UGC (Setting Up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations, 2023.

What is Internationalisation of Higher Education?

• Internationalisation of higher education refers to integrating global, international, and intercultural dimensions into teaching, research, governance, and academic cooperation.
• It includes student and faculty exchange, international research collaborations, foreign university campuses, joint degree programmes, and cross-border educational services.

Need for Internationalisation of Higher Education in India

• Improve Academic Quality

• International collaboration promotes globally recognised curricula, modern teaching practices, research culture, and quality standards.
  • Build Future-Ready Workforce
• Exposure to global learning systems develops critical thinking, innovation, intercultural skills, and capabilities required for the global economy.
  • Retain Indian Talent
• World-class education within India can reduce overseas migration of students and prevent foreign exchange outflows, as more than 3 million Indian students currently study abroad.
  • Strengthen Educational Diplomacy
• Academic partnerships improve India’s soft power and strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations.
  • Develop India as an Education Hub
• Internationalisation supports India’s ambition to become a global centre for higher education, research, and innovation.

Challenges Associated with Internationalisation

• High Cost of Education

• Foreign university programmes may remain expensive and inaccessible for economically weaker sections.
  • Regional Inequality
• Foreign institutions may prefer metropolitan cities, widening the gap between urban and rural educational opportunities.
  • Pressure on Public Universities
• Indian public universities may face challenges in attracting talented students, faculty, and research funding.
  • Commercialisation Concerns
• Profit-driven approaches may weaken the social objectives of higher education and limit inclusive access.

Initiatives Taken by India

• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• NEP promotes internationalisation by allowing top foreign universities to operate in India and encouraging global academic partnerships.
  • UGC Regulations, 2023
• The regulations provide a framework for highly ranked foreign universities to establish campuses in India while maintaining international academic standards.
  • Study in India (SII) Programme
• A flagship initiative of the Ministry of Education aimed at attracting international students and promoting India as a preferred education destination.
  • Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC)
• SPARC strengthens research by supporting joint projects between leading Indian institutions and global universities.
  • Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN)
• GIAN brings international experts and researchers to Indian institutions for teaching, academic exchange, and research collaboration.

Foreign University Campuses in India

• Deakin University

• Deakin University established its campus in GIFT City, Gujarat (2024).
  • University of Wollongong
• University of Wollongong opened its campus in GIFT City, Gujarat (2024).
  • University of Southampton
• University of Southampton established its campus in Gurugram, Haryana (2025).

 Global Best Practices

• Singapore

• Singapore developed itself as a global education hub through its “Global Schoolhouse” strategy, focusing on international universities, research, and innovation.
  • United Arab Emirates
• The UAE hosts more than 40 international branch campuses, with education hubs like Dubai International Academic City attracting universities from several countries.
  • China
• China promoted joint universities such as University of Nottingham Ningbo China and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University to strengthen global academic cooperation.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Indian Universities

• Internationalisation should complement domestic institutions by improving their research capacity, infrastructure, and global competitiveness.
  • Focus on Quality Institutions
• India should prioritise reputed foreign universities that contribute to innovation, research excellence, and skill development rather than only increasing numbers.
  • Ensure Inclusive Access
• Scholarships, financial support, and affordable education models should be expanded so that global-quality education benefits all sections of society.
  • Promote Research Collaboration
• Joint research projects, faculty exchanges, and industry-academia partnerships should be encouraged to create a stronger knowledge ecosystem.

Conclusion

• Internationalisation of higher education can transform India into a global knowledge and innovation hub by improving academic standards, research capacity, and global collaboration.
• A balanced approach ensuring quality, affordability, and inclusiveness will help India strengthen its higher education system and achieve its global education ambitions.

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