It was launched at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.
- Prepared by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the report calls upon countries to include Ecological Connectivity in land, water and infrastructure planning.
About Ecological connectivity
- Meaning: Refers to the unimpeded movement of species, connection of habitats without hindrance and flow of natural processes that sustain life on Earth.
- These processes include the flow of organisms, energy, nutrients, water, sediments, information, knowledge, culture, etc.
- Successful Models: European Green Belt stretching through 24 countries from northern Europe to the Balkans and the Mediterranean; Costa Rica, system of wildlife corridors for species like jaguars, etc.
Major Threats
- Altered Habitats: More than 60% of world’s rivers are diverted or dammed disrupting fish migrations. Example, Mekong river.
- Infrastructure Development: Linear Infrastructures like railways, roads, etc., leads to land degradation and fragmentation through direct land clearing as well as indirectly by attracting settlements, and secondary road development creating fishbone effect.
Key Recommendations on Promoting Ecological Connectivity
- Sustainable Agriculture: Regenerative Agriculture, Vertical Agriculture, Hydroponics & Aquaponics, Water Harvesting and Soil Moisture Management etc.
- Forest: Assisted Natural Regeneration (combines active planting with passive restoration), etc.
- Water Management: Bioretention Areas, River Floodplains, Natural Inland Wetlands etc.
- Enhancing Ecological Connectivity: Ecological Corridors, Management of Invasive Species, etc.
- Greening Cities and Buildings: Urban Forests, Urban Green Corridors etc.
