The United Nations has recognized seven initiatives worldwide as World Restoration Flagships, aimed at reviving ecosystems facing degradation.
Initiatives Overview
- Restoring Mediterranean Forests Initiative
- Countries Involved: Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Türkiye
- Achievements: Protected and restored natural habitats and vulnerable ecosystems; restoration of over 2 million hectares of forests since 2017; plans for restoration of over 8 million hectares by 2030.
- Living Indus Initiative
- Country: Pakistan
- Objectives: Restore 25 million hectares of the river basin by 2030; designation of the Indus River as a living entity with rights; involvement of multiple countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, India, New Zealand, Peru, and Sri Lanka.
- Acción Andina Social Movement
- Location: Andean region (Peru)
- Goals: Protect and restore one million hectares of forest area; engage 25,000 people from Andean communities in restoration efforts.
- Sri Lanka Mangrove Regeneration Initiative
- Location: Sri Lanka
- Approach: Science-driven program co-led by local communities; restoration of 500 hectares of mangroves since 2015; plans to restore 10,000 hectares by 2030.
- Terai Arc Landscape Initiative
- Location: Nepal
- Focus: Restoration of forests in critical corridors of the Terai Arc Landscape; involvement of local communities as citizen scientists, anti-poaching units, etc.; restoration of 66,800 hectares of forests in Nepal; expected support for tiger population shared by India and Nepal.
- Regreening Africa’s Agriculture
- Scope: Expected to benefit over 600,000 households in Africa; aims to increase carbon storage, boost crop yields, make soil more resilient, and treat it with fixed nitrogen.
- Growing Forests in Africa’s Drylands Initiative
- Objective: Expansion from 41,000 restored hectares to 229,000 hectares by 2030; involvement of African farmers; creation of 230,000 jobs.
Awards and Recognition
- Conferred by: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN.
- Eligibility: Technical and financial support from the UN organizations.
- Purpose: Aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, aiming to prevent, halt, and reverse ecosystem degradation.
Impact and Future Directions
- Expected restoration: About 40 million hectares and creation of around 500,000 jobs.
- Support to global commitments: Aims to restore one billion hectares worldwide.
- Visionary outlook: Aligns with addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Conclusion
The initiatives mark a significant step towards global ecosystem restoration, supported by international recognition and collaboration.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Which intergovernmental organization recognized the World Restoration Flagships?
- A) UNESCO
- B) UNEP and FAO
- C) WHO
- D) WTO
- What is the primary goal of the Living Indus Initiative?
- A) Restore 25 million hectares of forests in Pakistan
- B) Restore mangroves in Sri Lanka
- C) Protect forests in the Andean region
- D) Restore forests in critical corridors of the Terai Arc Landscape
- How many hectares of mangroves are planned to be restored by the Sri Lanka Mangrove Regeneration Initiative by 2030?
- A) 500 hectares
- B) 5,000 hectares
- C) 10,000 hectares
- D) 50,000 hectares
- Which initiative aims to benefit over 600,000 households in Africa?
- A) Acción Andina Social Movement
- B) Regreening Africa’s Agriculture
- C) Growing Forests in Africa’s Drylands Initiative
- D) Terai Arc Landscape Initiative