what is Red List?

Established in 1964, the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. Far more than a list of species and their status, it is a powerful tool to inform and catalyze action for biodiversity conservation and policy change, critical to protecting the natural resources we need to survive. 

        

         IUCN red list provides information about range, population size, habitat, key sites and ecology, use and/or trade, threats, and conservation actions that will help inform necessary conservation decisions which will also help to set funding priorities. The IUCN Red List is used by government agencies, wildlife departments, conservation-related non- governmental organizations (NGOs), natural resource planners, educational organizations, students, and the business community. Currently there are more than 79,800 species on The IUCN Red List, and more than 23,000 are threatened with extinction, including 41% of amphibians, 34% of conifers, 33% of reef building corals, 25% of mammals and 13% of birds. Increased assessments will help to build The IUCN Red List into a more complete ‘Barometer of Life’ and Goal is to increase the number of species assessed to at least 160,000 by 2020. India has 988 threatened species on the list, which lists critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species. In 2013, the number was 973. With 659 species in 2008, the increase over seven years is 50 per cent.

         In 2015, The Curlew Sandpiper, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Bar-tailed Godwit, commonly seen on the Sewri mudflats, have been added to the list of endangered birds. Only one species the European Roller has been downloaded from Near Threatened status to Least Concerned. The total number of Indian birds on the Red List has gone up from 173 last year to 180. 

       Eight species of birds from India in 2015 newly added to the Red List, five have been up listed (a sign of increased threat) from Least Concerned to Near Threatened category-Northern Lapwing (a grassland bird) and four wetland birds, viz. Red Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, Eurasian Oystercatcher and  Bar-Tailed Godwit. Two other wetland birds, viz. Horned Grebe and Common Pochard have been up listed from Least Concerned to Vulnerable. Steppe Eagle (a raptor from grasslands), which is a regular winter visitor  to the Indian subcontinent, has been up listed from Least Concerned to Endangered.

         Curlew Sandpiper is under threat due to factors like reservoir and marshland alteration by commercial salt works, habitat degradation because of diminishing rainfall and hunting. Apart from loss of grassland habitat, the other reason for decline of Steppe Eagle, which mostly scavenges on animal carcasses, is the use of veterinary diclofenac that causes renal failure in these birds, said the press release 

IUCN engagement in India: 

 India became a State Member of IUCN in 1969. This association has been significant in the establishment of the India National Committee (INC), Chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).  INC comprises of Government institutions, research organizations and NGOs, and works towards collaborative conservation efforts in India. IUCN has been granted the status of an autonomous, international non profit organization, in  accordance with anMoU signed with the Government of India. Accordingly the IUCN India Country Office was established in New Delhi in 2007. 

IUCN’s work is guided by three core principles:

i. Valuing and conserving nature.

ii. Effective and equitable governance of natural resources

iii. Developing nature-based solutions to environmental and developmental challenges both on the global and local level. 

Within India, projects shaped using these core principles are categorized under the following areas: 

1. Marine and Coastal, 

2. Inland Waters and

3. Business and Biodiversity Species Conservation

On-going initiatives in India of IUCN: 

 The IUCN Tata Power Partnership is working towards strengthening the companies overall biodiversity management. 

 Leaders for Nature (LfN)is a network of multi-national, and national enterprises. In offering knowledge & training, project support and inspiration.

 The Monitoring the Killing of Elephants (MIKE) initiative is an international collaboration that tracks trends in information related to the illegal killing of elephants from across Africa and Asia.

The South Asia Vulture initiative, the Governments of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan, have signed a Regional Declaration for the conservation of endangered Gyps species.

 The IUCN ITC Partnership is developing Sustainable Agri scapes, incorporating ecological and biodiversity concerns, whilst supporting agriculture, and allied livelihoods, in Munger, Bihar.