Context:
The United Nations named seven initiatives from across Africa, Latin America, the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia as the intergovernmental organisation’s World Restoration Flagships.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
- UN World Restoration Flagships Overview
- Seven Recognized Initiatives
UN World Restoration Flagships Overview
Initiation and Leadership:
- The World Restoration Flagship is an integral part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, spearheaded by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Objective:
- Aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems across the globe, encompassing every continent and ocean.
Award Recognition:
- Initiatives recognized by the UNEP and FAO through the UN World Restoration Flagships are eligible for technical and financial support from the organization.
Global Commitments:
- Focuses on tracking and endorsing noteworthy initiatives contributing to global commitments for the restoration of one billion hectares of ecosystems.
Seven Recognized Initiatives:
Restoring Mediterranean Forests Initiative:
- Involves Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Türkiye.
- Novel approach protecting and restoring natural habitats, leading to the restoration of around two million hectares of forests since 2017.
Living Indus Initiative:
- Approved by the Pakistan parliament post the 2022 climate change-induced floods.
- Designates the Indus River as a living entity with rights, serving as a protective measure for rivers globally.
Acción Andina Social Movement:
- Led by Peruvian conservation non-profit ECOAN.
- Aims to protect and restore a one-million-hectare forest area.
Sri Lanka Mangrove Regeneration Initiative:
- Science-driven program co-led by local communities.
- Focuses on restoring the natural balance in the ecosystem.
Terai Arc Landscape Initiative:
- Targets the restoration of critical forest corridors in the Terai Arc Landscape, involving local communities as citizen scientists, anti-poaching units, and forest guards.
- Supported the growth of the tiger population in the shared landscape of India and Nepal.
Regreening Africa’s Agriculture:
- Expected to benefit over 600,000 households.
Growing Forests in Africa’s Drylands Initiative:
- Aims to expand from 41,000 restored hectares to 229,000 hectares by 2030.
-Source: Indian Express
