IUCN Flags Western Ghats, Manas, and Sundarbans as ‘Significant Concern’ Sites
Syllabus: IUCN (UPSC Prelims)
Source: The Hindu
Context:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in its World Heritage Outlook 4 (2025) report, has categorized India’s Western Ghats, Manas National Park, and Sundarbans National Park under the “Significant Concern” category, highlighting growing environmental stress on these natural heritage sites.
About the IUCN World Heritage Outlook:
The World Heritage Outlook is a periodic global assessment published every 3–4 years by IUCN to evaluate the conservation status of natural World Heritage sites. It reviews sites under four categories — Good, Good with Some Concerns, Significant Concern, and Critical.
The 2025 edition found that 30% of Asian sites now fall under the “Significant Concern” category, up from 26% in 2020, due to climate change, unregulated tourism, and invasive species.
Indian Sites of Significant Concern:
| Site | Location | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Western Ghats | Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu | Forest loss (−5%), urbanisation, tourism, and infrastructure expansion |
| Manas National Park | Assam (India–Bhutan border) | Habitat degradation, poaching, floods, and invasive species |
| Sundarbans National Park | West Bengal (India–Bangladesh border) | Sea-level rise, erosion, and tourism-related stress |
Key Observations from the 2025 Outlook:
- India’s overall status: Of the seven natural World Heritage Sites, one (Khangchendzonga NP) is rated Good; four (Kaziranga, Nanda Devi, Valley of Flowers, Keoladeo, and Great Himalayan NP) are Good with Some Concerns; and three — Western Ghats, Manas, and Sundarbans — are under Significant Concern.
- Emerging threats: Climate change is now the most widespread threat in Asia, overtaking poaching.
- Infrastructure pressure: Expanding roads and rail networks are among the top five threats, leading to habitat fragmentation and increased wildlife mortality.
Conclusion:
The IUCN’s findings highlight the urgent need for India to strengthen ecosystem management, regulate tourism, and integrate climate resilience into conservation planning for its heritage landscapes.
