Context: The urgent need for a comprehensive Nature Restoration Law in India is underscored by the alarming rate of land degradation affecting nearly 30% of the country’s geographical area. The EU's recently enacted Nature Restoration Law (NRL) serves as a potential model for India to address its environmental crises.

What is the Nature Restoration Law (NRL)?

• The Nature Restoration Law was adopted by the European Union on June 17, 2024. It requires that 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas be restored by 2030, with a goal to fully restore all ecosystems by 2050. This law is part of efforts to reverse the loss of biodiversity, with measures like restoring rivers and planting trees.

Current Environmental Challenges

• Extent of Land Degradation: India's Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas indicates that approximately 97.85 million hectares (29.7%) of land were degraded by 2018-19, a significant increase from 94.53 million hectares in 2003-05. States like Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan account for 23.79% of this desertified land.

• Comparison with EU's NRL: The EU's NRL mandates the restoration of at least 20% of its land and sea areas by 2030 and aims for full restoration by 2050. This law targets various ecosystems, reflecting a comprehensive approach that India could emulate.

• Existing Initiatives in India: India has initiated programs like the Green India Mission and the National Afforestation Programme to combat land degradation. However, the severity of the issue necessitates a legally binding framework similar to the EU's NRL to ensure sustainable ecosystem restoration.

• Environmental Challenges: The existing initiatives like the Green India Mission and the Integrated Watershed Management Programme, though substantial, are insufficient given the scale of degradation.

• Legal Framework: A specific law mandating ecosystem restoration could emulate the EU’s Nature Restoration Law, setting clear, legally binding restoration targets and timelines to ensure sustained environmental recovery and compliance.

Proposed Framework for India's Law

• Restoration Targets: A potential Nature Restoration Law for India could set a target to restore 20% of degraded land by 2030, ultimately aiming for complete restoration of ecosystems by 2050, encompassing forests, wetlands, and urban spaces.

• Wetland Restoration: Target restoring 30% of degraded wetlands, focusing on crucial wetlands like the Sundarbans and Chilika Lake.

• Biodiversity in Agriculture: Promote agroforestry and sustainable agricultural practices, using biodiversity indicators like the butterfly and bird index to track progress.

• River Restoration: Restore free-flowing rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna, addressing pollution and obstructions.

• Urban Green Spaces: Prevent further degradation of urban areas by ensuring no net loss of green spaces and promoting urban forests to combat heat islands.

• Focus on Key Ecosystems: The law should prioritize the restoration of critical wetlands, agricultural biodiversity, and free-flowing rivers. For instance, targeting a 30% restoration of key wetlands like the Sundarbans by 2030 can enhance biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

• Economic and Social Benefits: Implementing a restoration law could yield substantial economic returns, potentially generating up to $10 trillion globally by 2030. In India, such efforts would improve agricultural productivity, water security, and create millions of jobs, particularly in rural areas.

Key benefits of ecosystem restoration

• Restoring ecosystems can generate significant economic returns, potentially up to $10 trillion globally by 2030 (World Economic Forum).

• For India, this would mean improved agricultural yields, better water security, and job creation.

• It would also strengthen India’s ability to meet its climate goals (Paris Agreement commitments) by increasing carbon absorption and combating desertification.

• Restoration helps India meet Sustainable Development Goal 15, which focuses on managing forests and combating desertification.