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Problem according to india

Research Problem: Life on Land (SDG 15) in India
India’s pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land,
which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of
terrestrial ecosystems, is marked by progress in policy and
community-based programs
...
​ Land Degradation and Desertification: A significant portion
of India's land is affected by degradation due to overgrazing,
deforestation,
practices
...
​
2
...
​
3
...
​

4
...
​
5
...
​
6
...
​
7
...
​
8
...
​

Progress Achieved
●​ Increased Forest Cover: According to the Forest Survey of
India, the country has shown an overall increase in forest and
tree cover in recent years through programs like the Green India
Mission
...
​
●​ Community Participation: Efforts such as Joint Forest
Management (JFM) have involved local communities in forest
conservation and resource management
...
​

Regional Disparities
●​ States like Mizoram and Kerala have made progress in forest
conservation, while regions like Jharkhand and Madhya

Pradesh continue to face challenges with illegal mining,
encroachment, and forest degradation
...
​

Environmental Sustainability and Life on Land
●​ The unsustainable use of natural resources, such as excessive
groundwater extraction and monoculture plantations, adversely
impacts soil fertility, natural habitats, and overall biodiversity
...
​

Only through collaborative governance, community engagement,
and science-based policymaking can India achieve sustainable land
management and biodiversity conservation
...
This goal aims to halt the degradation of land and
biodiversity, protect natural habitats, and ensure the sustainable
management of forests, combat desertification, and halt biodiversity loss
by 2030
...

Key focus areas include the preservation of forests, combating land
degradation, and protecting biodiversity, such as plants, animals, and
microorganisms, which are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems
...

The framework stresses the interconnectedness of life on land with other
development issues, requiring coordinated efforts from governments,
businesses, civil society, and individuals
...

Ultimately, SDG 15 aims to ensure that terrestrial ecosystems and
biodiversity are safeguarded for future generations, contributing to the
broader vision of a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient world
...
This article
achieves this goal by reviewing the existing literature on the
development, challenges, and research output related to life on land,
which focuses on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of
land-based ecosystems
...
Over the last two decades, concerns over
biodiversity loss, land degradation, deforestation, and the impact of
human activities on terrestrial ecosystems have intensified the need to
prioritize life on land within sustainability and sustainable
development frameworks (Aven 2020; Leal Filho et al
...
In the research arena,
scholars have conducted studies to identify drivers of land-based
sustainability and the factors that hinder the achievement of
sustainable land practices, hoping to inform policies that contribute to
SDG 15, which focuses on life on land
...
First, life on land is a critical element
of the United Nations' broader sustainable development agenda, with
many countries agreeing to pursue land conservation and biodiversity
preservation as part of the SDGs (Linnér and Selin 2013; Bexell and
Jönsson 2017)
...


Third,

sustainable

land management is seen as a

comprehensive approach that integrates the protection of ecosystems
with human development needs, ensuring that land use is both
productive and resilient (Szymańska 2021)
...

Earlier studies have examined various aspects of sustainability related
to life on land, such as the drivers of sustainable land practices
(Vinuesa et al
...
2019; Silvestre and Ţîrcă 2019), the approaches to
ecosystem restoration (Liu et al
...
b),
and balancing environmental responsibility with economic growth
(Worae, Ngwakwe, and Ambe 2018; Sharmin and Tareque 2018;
Ganda, Ngwakwe, and Ambe 2017)
...
There is a pressing need to identify key
advancements and areas for further research in the context of life on
land and its role in global sustainability
...

The review includes studies published between 2000 and 2021, a
period in which life on land has gained significant attention due to the
urgent need for ecosystem restoration and the protection of
biodiversity
...
The papers included focus on life on
land as a central theme or examine the interconnections between land
ecosystems and other sustainability issues
...

This paper contributes to the literature by emphasizing the importance
of life on land for achieving sustainable development
...
The rest of the paper is structured as
follows: the second part provides the conceptual framework, the third
part discusses global studies on life on land, the fourth part reviews
empirical studies, the fifth part outlines areas for future research, and
the sixth part presents the conclusion
...
However, when
narrowing focus to SDG 15: Life on Land, significant gaps
remain across ecological, policy, and implementation fronts:

1
...
Conversely,
states such as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat lag in afforestation and
land degradation neutrality targets, reflecting uneven progress
across regions
...
Data Gaps in Biodiversity Monitoring

Comprehensive and up-to-date data on forest cover quality,
biodiversity indices, and land degradation is lacking
...
Bridging these data gaps
through satellite monitoring, citizen science, and local community
engagement is essential
...
Environmental Degradation and Unsustainable Practices

Despite efforts, deforestation, overgrazing, and monoculture
farming continue to degrade natural habitats
...


4
...
However, current public
spending and international aid are insufficient to meet SDG 15
financing needs
...
Gender Dimensions in Land Governance

Women in rural India play a crucial role in land and forest
management but often lack ownership rights, decision-making
authority, and access to conservation incentives
...


6
...
Strengthening ecological
literacy and training programs can enhance local participation in
sustainable land use practices
...
Institutional and Policy Alignment

The success of SDG 15 hinges on harmonizing national
biodiversity strategies with state-level forest policies and tribal
rights
...


Solutions for SDG 15 Progress

Solutions

must

be

holistic

and

inclusive—combining

ecosystem-based approaches, participatory forest management,

data integration, green financing, and policy coherence
...


Literature Review: Life on Land and Global Perspectives
Global Research on Terrestrial Ecosystems
Wesseh

Jr
...
The study
calls for integrating land restoration with rural development
strategies in developing countries
...
​

India-Specific Research on SDG 15
Progress and Barriers

Singh and Pandey (2023) review India’s SDG progress, noting
gains in afforestation but also flagging concerns over unregulated
land conversion and fragmented biodiversity policies
...
​

Methodologies and Frameworks
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) emphasizes integrated
assessment models to study how land-use changes interact with
other SDGs
...


Emerging Research Areas
New studies link taxation and social innovation with biodiversity
conservation—for example, how green taxes and incentives for
agroforestry can promote sustainable land use
...
Below are
specific individual and community-based actions to help
achieve this goal in India and beyond:

1
...
​
●​ Contribute to efforts that restore degraded forests and green
urban spaces
...
Support Local and Organic Agriculture

●​ Buy food from local farmers who use sustainable practices
that protect soil health and biodiversity
...
​

3
...
​
●​ Support urban planning that protects natural habitats
...
Advocate for Wildlife and Habitat Protection

●​ Support laws and organizations that conserve endangered
species and wildlife corridors
...
g
...
​

5
...
​

●​ Volunteer with organizations that track and conserve wildlife
populations
...
Minimize Your Ecological Footprint

●​ Reduce consumption, reuse materials, and recycle
responsibly to reduce pressure on landfills and natural
resources
...
Conserve Soil and Water Resources

●​ Avoid wastage of water to reduce stress on ecosystems
...
​

8
...
​
●​ Avoid products linked to deforestation, such as
unsustainable palm oil or soy
...
Advocate for Forest and Land Rights

●​ Support the rights of indigenous communities and forest
dwellers who act as guardians of biodiversity
...
Support Circular Economy Initiatives

●​ Embrace zero-waste lifestyles that reduce land pollution and
promote sustainable resource use
...
Engage in Animal Welfare and Rescue Efforts

●​ Contribute to or volunteer with animal shelters and wildlife
rehabilitation centers
...
Avoid Using Harmful Chemicals

●​ Use eco-friendly cleaning and gardening products to prevent
soil and water contamination
...
Promote Environmental Education

●​ Raise awareness in schools and communities about the
importance of forests, wildlife, and ecosystem balance
...
Support Ethical Investment and Eco-Friendly Businesses

●​ Invest in or support businesses that prioritize sustainable
land use, forestry, and conservation
...
Advocate for Stronger Environmental Policies

●​ Support legislation that prevents illegal logging, sand
mining, and encroachments on forest land
...
Research Design
●​ Type: Descriptive and Analytical​
●​ Approach: Mixed Methods (Qualitative and Quantitative)​
●​ Purpose:​
To analyze the progress, challenges, and gaps in India’s
implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 15 – Life on
Land, with a focus on forest conservation, biodiversity protection,
land degradation, and sustainable land use
...
​

2
...
​
●​ Forest Survey of India Reports – to evaluate afforestation efforts
and forest area changes
...
​
●​ State Forest Department Reports – for regional insights on
habitat restoration and eco-sensitive zone management
...
​
●​ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) & UNCCD Reports –
insights on India’s commitment and performance under
international environmental agreements
...
​

🔹 Academic Journals & Research Papers
●​ Peer-reviewed articles from Springer, Elsevier, Wiley, and
ResearchGate on topics like:​

○​ Human-wildlife conflict in India​
○​ Successes in community-based forest management​
○​ Soil degradation trends and impact on agriculture​
●​ Comparative studies across South Asia on forest loss and
protected area management
...
​

3
...
​
○​ If surveys are conducted, responses will be statistically
interpreted to assess public awareness and attitudes toward
forest and land conservation
...
g
...
​
○​ Evaluation of community success stories and legal
frameworks related to forest rights and environmental
protection
...
​
○​ Cross-national comparison of best practices in protecting life
on land—especially from other biodiverse nations like Brazil,
Indonesia, and Kenya
...
This goal focuses
on the sustainable management of forests, combating desertification,
halting and reversing land degradation, and biodiversity conservation
...
While the overall SDG score improved from 66 in
2020–21 to 71 in 2023–24, SDG 15-specific indicators show steady
progress in key areas like forest cover enhancement, protected area
expansion, and wildlife conservation efforts
...
For example:

●​ Mizoram reported over 85% forest cover, the highest in the
country
...
​

Specific Achievements Under SDG 15
●​ Forest Conservation: India’s total forest and tree cover increased by
1,540 sq
...
​

●​ CAMPA Fund Utilization: Over ₹49,000 crore under the
Compensatory Afforestation Fund has been allocated for
afforestation and ecosystem services
...
​

●​ Community Participation: Initiatives like Joint Forest
Management (JFM) have empowered local communities to
co-manage and protect forest resources
...
​

●​ Illegal Mining and Encroachment: These activities continue to
threaten forest ecosystems and wildlife corridors
...
​

Data Availability & Monitoring
According to the National Indicator Framework Progress Report 2024,
data is available for over 95% of SDG indicators, including those
related to forest area, biodiversity indices, and land restoration metrics
...


Limitation

Limitations in Achieving Sustainable Development – Life
on Land (SDG 15)
Despite India’s ongoing efforts toward achieving SDG 15: Life on
Land, several multidimensional challenges persist that hinder the
effective protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems
...
Economic Limitations
​
Uneven economic development: Wealthier states often invest more
in conservation, while poorer regions struggle to fund forest and land
restoration
...
​
●​ Lack of incentives: Private landowners and industries may not
adopt land-sparing or eco-friendly practices without adequate
economic benefits
...
​
●​ Insufficient budget allocation: Limited government funding
for forestry departments, protected area management, and

eco-restoration
...
​
●​ Lack of skilled workforce: There is a shortage of trained
ecologists, foresters, and wildlife experts, especially in remote
areas
...
​

B
...
​
●​ Overpopulation pressure: Rising human settlement in and
around forests leads to deforestation and land degradation
...
​
●​ Depleting biodiversity: India faces rapid species loss,
especially among pollinators and endemic wildlife
...
​

●​ Land degradation: Overgrazing, illegal mining, and shifting
agriculture degrade arable and forest land
...
​
●​ Unregulated industrial activities: Deforestation and pollution
from industries continue unchecked in some regions
...
Data and Monitoring Limitations
●​ Inadequate data collection systems: Forest cover and
biodiversity data is often outdated or unavailable at local levels
...
​
●​ Non-standardized indicators: Different states use varied
methods, making comparisons and national evaluations
inconsistent
...
​

D
...
​
●​ Cultural resistance: Shifting age-old practices like
slash-and-burn or wildlife hunting requires sustained
engagement and education
...
​
●​ Corruption and mismanagement: Misuse of afforestation
funds or lax enforcement of wildlife protection laws hampers
progress
...
​
●​ Lack of political continuity: Conservation programs often lose
momentum with government changes or shifting priorities
...
Global and Systemic Challenges
●​ Global supply chain dependence: Demand for timber, palm
oil, and mining resources from global markets fuels
deforestation
...
​

●​ Geopolitical conflicts: Border tensions or internal unrest limit
conservation efforts in ecologically sensitive areas
...


Conclusion and policy

Conclusion
India’s journey toward achieving SDG 15: Life on Land by 2030
reflects a mix of achievements and ongoing challenges
...

Top-performing states like Kerala and Uttarakhand have set
inspiring examples in ecosystem conservation and forest
management, but other states—especially those with high
deforestation rates or mining pressures—still lag behind
...

Achieving SDG 15 will require cross-sectoral collaboration,
community

engagement,

and

a

science-backed

policy

framework
...


Policy Implications for Advancing SDG 15: Life on Land
1
...
​
●​ Implement region-specific conservation plans that consider
local biodiversity and land use patterns
...
Invest in Ecological Monitoring and Data Infrastructure

●​ Improve satellite and GIS-based monitoring of forest cover,
biodiversity hotspots, and land degradation
...
​

3
...
​

●​ Encourage green bonds, carbon credit programs, and
international climate finance for land conservation
...
Promote Climate-Resilient Ecosystem Management

●​ Encourage climate-resilient agroforestry, dryland
farming, and drought-resistant plantations
...
​

5
...
​
●​ Organize awareness drives on tree planting, wildlife
protection, and land stewardship, especially in rural and
tribal regions
...
Empower Marginalized and Indigenous Communities

●​ Strengthen the rights of forest-dwelling communities under
the Forest Rights Act (FRA)
...
​

7
...
​
●​ Support nature-based solutions and community
innovation hubs to promote scalable land restoration
models
...
​ United Nations (UN)
...
Transforming our world: The
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
...
un
...
​
2
...
(2023)
...
Government of India
...
niti
...
in/​
Offers state-wise insights into India’s performance on SDG 15,
highlighting forest conservation, afforestation, and biodiversity
protection efforts
...
​ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
...

Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis
...
​
https://www
...
ch/report/ar6/wg1/​
This report connects climate change with land degradation and
ecosystem vulnerability, stressing the importance of SDG 15 in
climate resilience
...
​ United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
...

Human Development Report 2020: The Next Frontier – Human
Development and the Anthropocene
...
undp
...
​
5
...
(2020)
...
​
https://www
...
org/en/publication/annual-report​
Addresses financing models relevant to land restoration,
reforestation, and community-led conservation
...
​ Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD)
...
The Sustainable Development Goals and the
Transformation of Global Development
...
oecd
...
​
7
...
K
...
(2019)
...

Springer Nature
...
springer
...
​
8
...
(2022)
...
​
https://www
...
int/health-topics/sustainable-development-goal
s​
Includes links between degraded land ecosystems and zoonotic
diseases, emphasizing ecosystem health as a foundation for
human health
...
​ The Hindu & Down to Earth
...
Articles on
Deforestation, Biodiversity Loss, and Environmental Policies in
India
...
​
10
...
(2023)
...
​
https://www
...
com/​
Used to highlight regional disparities in SDG 15
implementation and local ecological initiatives across Indian
states
...
​ United Nations
...
Transforming our world: The 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development
...
Retrieved
from https://sdgs
...
org/goals​
→ Introduces SDG 15 as part of the global effort to protect,
restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial
ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss
...
​ NITI Aayog
...
SDG India Index and Dashboard 2023–24
...
Retrieved from
https://www
...
gov
...

3
...
(2020)
...
Retrieved from
https://www
...
org/en/publication/annual-report​
→ Discusses financial mechanisms for land restoration,
afforestation, and eco-friendly agriculture practices that align
with SDG 15
...
​ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
...

Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis
...
Retrieved from
https://www
...
ch/report/ar6/wg1/​
→ Highlights how climate change accelerates land degradation,

desertification, and biodiversity loss—critical concerns under
SDG 15
...
​ United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
...

Human Development Report 2020: The Next Frontier – Human
Development and the Anthropocene
...
undp
...




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