India ranks 176th out of 180 countries in Global Nature Conservation Index
New Delhi: India has ranked 176th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI), scoring 45.5 out of 100, placing it among the world’s lowest-ranked nations in terms of environmental conservation. Released on October 24, 2024, the report places India alongside Kiribati (180), Turkey (179), Iraq (178), and Micronesia (177) in the bottom tier of the rankings.
The Nature Conservation Index (NCI) is the first-ever comprehensive report assessing countries’ conservation efforts and sustainable environmental practices. Developed by the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University in collaboration with BioDB.com, the NCI evaluates four core pillars: Land Management, Threats to Biodiversity, Capacity and Governance, and Future Trends. These areas are measured through 25 performance indicators to gauge the effectiveness of each country’s efforts to protect its natural environment.
India’s low rank stems largely from challenges in land management and escalating biodiversity threats. Citing data from the IUCN Red List, the NCI report reveals that 15.9% of marine species and 13.4% of terrestrial species in India face extinction risks. The report highlights a drastic loss of tree cover, with 23,300 square kilometers (8,996 square miles) of forest area lost to deforestation between 2001 and 2019. The index underscores India’s need for stronger regulatory measures to protect biodiversity and calls for enhanced funding, policy implementation, and leadership commitment to conservation.
The report also stresses the need for sustainable fishing practices, noting that 34.5% of fisheries in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are overexploited. Additionally, India ranks 122nd in terms of law and regulation effectiveness for safeguarding natural resources, a ranking impacted by recent policy changes, such as the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 (FCAA). This act facilitates commercial activities on forested lands and exempts certain infrastructure projects from environmental reviews, raising concerns about regulatory oversight.
India’s Environmental Performance Index (EPI) score has also declined over the past decade, indicating the urgent need for improved environmental policies and practices. The NCI highlights India’s struggles with climate change mitigation, habitat protection, and species conservation. Specific concerns include weak climate change mitigation efforts, limited strategic shifts toward renewable energy, and the absence of effective carbon pricing mechanisms. The report also calls for policies to enhance energy efficiency across industries, buildings, and transport, while maintaining and expanding carbon sinks like forests and wetlands.
The Great Nicobar Island Development Project, which involves substantial infrastructure expansion on a highly sensitive ecological site, is singled out as a significant conservation concern. Environmentalists have raised alarms about potential disruptions to the island’s unique wildlife, which includes 96 wildlife sanctuaries, 9 national parks, and a biosphere reserve.
To improve its conservation efforts, the report recommends India focus on robust conservation legislation, increased investment in its 55 tiger reserves, and the development of compensation programs to incentivize local involvement. It also stresses the importance of managing buffer zones around protected areas and strengthening habitat connectivity.
This ranking is not the first indication of India’s environmental challenges. The country has previously scored low on similar indices, including the 2024 Environmental Performance Index released by Yale’s Center for Environmental Law and Policy and Columbia’s Center for International Earth Science Information Network.
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Passenger slapped during panic attack on IndiGo flight; Goes missing after landing, family seeks ans
Mumbai/Kolkata/Silchar: A shocking incident aboard IndiGo flight 6E138 from Mumbai to Kolkata has gone viral, sparking outrage after a video emerged showing a man being slapped mid-flight while reportedly suffering a panic attack. The victim, identified as Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar from Assam, has since gone missing, and his family is seeking urgent answers.
The video, widely circulated on social media, shows Hossain in visible distress, attempting to leave his seat and reportedly requesting to deboard. As flight attendants tried to calm him down, another passenger suddenly approached and slapped him. The incident triggered immediate protest from fellow travellers.
A young man suffers a panic attack, his co passenger slaps him. Indigo airlines says “All appropriate regulatory agencies have been duly informed, in line with protocol.”
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) August 1, 2025
This is a criminal case and the man needs to be on a No Fly List @DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/dY1gQC6ze0
Hossain, a gym trainer based in Mumbai, was en route to his hometown Katigorah in Cachar district via a connecting flight from Kolkata to Silchar. However, he never boarded the Silchar flight, and his mobile phone remains unreachable. His family, who had gathered at the Silchar airport, are now in distress. Zubairul Islam Mazumdar, a relative, said, “We have no idea where he is. We’ve contacted the police and airport authorities but haven’t received any concrete information.” His father, Abdul Mannan Mazumdar, who is undergoing cancer treatment, said tearfully, “He was our only hope. Now we don’t even know if he’s safe.” In a statement issued on August 1, IndiGo Airlines said: “We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew. Our crew acted in accordance with established procedures. The individual identified as unruly was handed over to the security authorities upon arrival. Regulatory agencies have been informed as per protocol.”
We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 1, 2025
Our crew acted in accordance with…
However, the airline's statement has been criticised for failing to clarify what happened to Hossain after the incident, whether he received medical help, was detained, or was allowed to continue his journey.
Weak kneed response from @IndiGo6E . Has the man who got physical with a fellow passenger been put on a no-fly list? Has Indigo followed up on its complaint at point of disembarkation? If the passenger was handed over to the @CISFAirport were charges pressed? pic.twitter.com/qXMnfiBbFE
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) August 1, 2025
The video triggered widespread anger on social media, with many users interpreting the slap as a possible hate-driven act. However, aviation journalist Jagriti Chandra of The Hindu offered a clarification on X, stating: “The passenger who assaulted a co-passenger aboard IndiGo flight was handed over to law enforcement agencies for unruly conduct. Incident occurred after one passenger was feeling uncomfortable in the flight and wanted to deboard. Both belong to the same religious community.”
The passenger who assaulted a co-passenger aboard IndiGo flight handed over to law enforcement agencies for unruly conduct. Incident after one passenger was feeling uncomfortable in the flight and wanted to de board.
— Jagriti Chandra (@jagritichandra) August 1, 2025
Both belong to the same religious community.
Incident on… https://t.co/f0QPXG5hxG
Despite this clarification, concerns remain about the airline's handling of a visibly distressed passenger, particularly in the context of mental health. Unverified posts circulating on social media claim that Hossain was later found, though there has been no official confirmation from authorities or the airline.
Alhamdulillah! Hussain Ahmed Mazumder, who was assaulted on an IndiGo flight while returning from Mumbai to Silchar and went missing, has now been found safe in Kolkata.
— Munir (@tapadar_1314) August 1, 2025
He is stable and in contact with his family. pic.twitter.com/MEGSGzHTk7
