Why is it in the news?
- Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) is recognized as the United Nations World Restoration Flagship along with six other initiatives, making them eligible for technical and financial UN support.
About Terai Arc Landscape
- It is a trans-boundary biodiversity hotspot launched in 2001, encompassing critical habitats for tigers, rhinos, elephants, etc.
- It aims to conserve ecosystems of the Terai and Churia hills, covering protected areas like Corbett Tiger Reserve and Rajaji National Park.
- It spans over 900 km from the Bagmati River (Nepal) in the east to the Yamuna River (India) in the west, impacting 5.10 million hectares and involving over seven million people.
About World Restoration Flagship (commenced in 2022)
- Recognized under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).
- Led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), along with other partner organizations.
- Objective is to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide, spanning every continent and ocean.
- Selection criteria based on geographic significance and the probability of success.
- Progress is monitored through the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring. Top of Form
Other Initiatives (Six in Number)
| Initiative | Key Points |
| Restoring Mediterranean Forests Initiative | · Involves Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkey. · Utilizes a novel approach to protect and restore natural habitats and vulnerable ecosystems. · Approximately two million hectares of forests have been restored across the region since 2017. |
| Living Indus Initiative | · Received approval from the Pakistan parliament following the 2022 climate change-induced floods. · Officially launched at the 27th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Sharm el-Sheikh. · Designates the Indus River as a living entity with rights to protect rivers elsewhere. |
| Acción Andina Social Movement | · Led by Peruvian conservation non-profit ECOAN. · Aims to protect and restore one million hectares of forest area. |
| Sri Lanka Mangrove Regeneration Initiative | · Science-driven program co-led by local communities. · Focuses on restoring the natural balance in the ecosystem through mangrove regeneration. |
| 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. |
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