Localizing Global Biodiversity Targets for River Conservation in Kerala
An event in Kochi celebrating the World Rivers Day, designed to translate the global biodiversity targets into decentralized, citizen and local body driven action for restoring Kerala’s rivers and inland wetlands.
Summary of Event
Kerala is blessed with several rivers and inland wetlands which provide both vital ecosystem services as well as foster exceptional species richness. Over several years however, these water bodies have been severely degraded from anthropocentric pressures. This ecological destruction is further compounded by catchment deforestation in the Western Ghats and frequent climate-induced extreme weather events, leading to heavy siltation, loss of flood-buffering capacity, and acute biodiversity decline.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was adapted in 2022 by all nations to address the triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The framework provides an international pathway to reverse address this crisis by mandating the protection and restoration of at least 30% of degraded inland waters and connected ecosystems by 2030 (Targets 2 and 3 of KMGBF). In Kerala, this framework translates global biodiversity commitments into actionable, decentralized strategies for local bodies and citizen-led groups to restore river basin connectivity, safeguard ecosystem services, and build climate resilience.
On the occasion of World Rivers Day, the All India Rivers Forum is having Riverhood Action Week from 27th September to 3rd October, 2026. The UN Bidoversity Conference is also going to happen in October, 2026 in Armenia to discuss progress made with respect to KMGBF. Thus it seems like an opportune moment to have a panel discussion in Kochi that moves beyond top-down policy to actionable strategies for river conservation with active citizens and local bodies.
Name of Speakers:
1. S.P. Ravi, Secretary, Chalakudy River Protection Council
2. Dr. Joy Elamon, Former Director General, Kerala Institute of Local Administration
3. Geetha Vazhachal, Tribal Chieftainess, Kadar community, Vazhachal
4. Tabitha Sunny, Communication and Design Consultant
Topic of discussion: Localizing Global Biodiversity Targets for River Conservation in Kerala
PARTNERS: Shyama Kuriakose (Independent Environmental Law Researcher)
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