Wildlife populations have dropped by more than 70 per cent over the past 50 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Report 2024. The report highlights the escalating environmental crisis, with nature loss and climate change nearing irreversible points. In Bhutan, despite conservation successes, concerns are growing over reduced freshwater, shifting weather patterns, and wildlife range changes.
The Living Planet Index from the Zoological Society of London monitored nearly 5,500 wildlife species between 1970 to 2020.
The report shows freshwater ecosystems have suffered the most, with an 85 per cent decline, followed by land-based ecosystems at 69 per cent, and marine ecosystems at 56 per cent.
The report warns that declining wildlife populations indicate increasing extinction risks and the possible collapse of ecosystems that provide essential services like clean air, water, and fertile soils.
Global tipping points, such as the gradual decline and death of the Amazon rainforest and coral reefs, could threaten food security and livelihoods.
Meanwhile, in the country, the WWF Bhutan conducted a perception survey in Jigme Dorji National Park and Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary, earlier this year, to assess the impacts of climate change on wildlife and communities.
Most respondents reported that changes in weather and climate have negatively affected biodiversity, particularly wildlife populations in Jigme Dorji National Park.
Similarly, many in Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary noted that wildlife species are moving to new areas due to climate change, habitat loss and unavailability of food.
A 2021 assessment by the Watershed Management Division found that over 25 per cent of the 500 sub-watersheds were drying up, and nearly 1 per cent had completely dried out due to climate change and forest degradation.
The Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement outline global goals for countries to reverse nature loss and limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
However, the Living Planet Report warns that national efforts are inadequate to meet the 2030 targets and prevent dangerous tipping points.
Devika Pradhan
Edited by Sherub Dorji
