Lisbon: India today assured the world about its commitment to protecting at least 30 % of “our” lands, waters and oceans. It also reaffirmed its adherence to its commitment of 30X30 by 2030.
Delivering the India statement at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, India’s Minister for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh said, all efforts are going on to achieve the 30×30 target in a mission mode as per the Conference Of the Parties (COP) resolutions. He explained at the UN forum, the country’s vision for the conservation and sustenance of ocean and ocean resources.
He assured the Ministers, Delegates and Representatives from more than 130 countries participating in the 5-day Conference that India will also provide science and innovation-based solutions for the implementation of SDG-Goal 14 through partnerships and environmentally friendly solutions. Goal 14 calls for Conservation and Sustainable Use of the oceans, seas and marine resources.
Dwelling on the theme of the conference “Scaling up Ocean Action based on Science and Innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: Stocktaking, Partnerships and Solutions”, Dr Singh reiterated that India will take all possible measures to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal-14, which addresses some of the challenges faced by the life under the water.
Reiterating India’s commitment to the “Coastal Clean Seas Campaign”, he declared that India will soon achieve a complete ban on single-use plastics. “One of the best examples is in phasing out of plastic /polythene bags and promoting the alternatives such as usage of cotton/jute cloth bags,” the Minister said. The research to gather scientific data and information on Marine Litter in different matrices viz., coastal waters, sediments, biota and beaches as a part of formulating a National Policy has already begun, he added.
Dr Singh said India has unveiled its vision for the next decade, listing thereby the ten most important dimensions of India’s growth till 2030. The Government of India was in the process of unveiling the “Blue Economic Policy of India”, he informed. Deep Ocean Mission is being implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences with six thematic areas, which include the development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services to address climate resilience, exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity, and development of technologies for harnessing ocean resources and capacity building.
The Minister told the member States that India has well-established collaboration and partnerships with UN Agencies and Research Institutions for bridging the methodology and data gaps on SDG indicators and working towards the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021–2030, for the clean, healthy, productive, predictive, safe and accessible ocean.
He also pointed out that India partners with many countries in the areas of Integrated Ocean Management and framework for marine spatial plans for sustainable development and conservation of ecosystems. It has proposed to establish a Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute (SCORI) to meet the needs and aspirations of the Pacific Island Countries (PIC), he informed.
– global bihari bureau
