Living Planet Report-2016 : Environment for UPSC Exams


Living Planet Report-2016 : Environment for UPSC Exams


  • The Living Planet Report is published every two years by the World Wide Fund for Nature since 1998. It is based on the Living Planet Index and ecological footprint calculations.

  • It is the world's leading, science-based analysis on the health of our only planet and the impact of human activity

  • Living Planet Report 2016 identifies India as an ecological black spot where around half of the wildlife lives in the danger of being wiped out.

  • The report says that around 70% of surface water is polluted and 60% of ground water will reach critical stage where it cannot be replenished in the next one decade.

  • It also pointed out that one-fourth of India’s total land is facing desertification and about a third of land is getting degraded primarily because of depleting forest cover.

  • The Living Planet Index showed that 58% overall decline in vertebrate population abundance during1970 to 2012.

  • It also said that global wildlife populations could decline by an average of 67% during 1970 – 2020.

  • It said that the top threats to species are directly linked to human activities, including habitat loss, degradation and overexploitation of wildlife.

  • The report stated that India ranks fifth in terms of bio-capacity—an ecosystem’s capacity to produce resources such as food, fibre and renewable raw materials and absorb carbon dioxide.

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