Launch of Chennai City Biodiversity Index
Chennai City Biodiversity Index Sets New Benchmark: On August 25, 2025, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister launched the Chennai City Biodiversity Index, making Chennai the first Indian city to formally adopt such a framework. The index provides a structured method to measure how urban centers manage their natural ecosystems and conserve biodiversity.
The initiative aligns with global efforts to monitor urban biodiversity using standardized indicators, thereby strengthening India’s commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Static GK fact: The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
Structure of the Index
The index was prepared by ICLEI South Asia (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives – Local Governments for Sustainability). It is based on 23 indicators, though Chennai’s first baseline assessment was conducted across 18 indicators.
The scoring system uses a maximum of 72 points, with Chennai securing 38 points, representing a moderate start in biodiversity integration.
Static GK Tip: ICLEI is a global network of more than 2,500 local governments committed to sustainable urban development.
Key Scores of Chennai
Chennai performed best in native biodiversity, securing 12 out of 20 points. This reflects the city’s relatively strong base of indigenous flora and fauna. However, the ecosystem services score was only 6 out of 16, indicating that natural resources are under pressure from urbanization.
The governance and management component scored 17 out of 36, showing that while biodiversity concerns are integrated into city planning, significant gaps remain in enforcement and community involvement.
Importance for Urban India
Chennai’s index serves as a pilot framework for other metropolitan cities in India. With rapid urbanization, biodiversity loss has become a key challenge. Cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi are expected to follow suit in developing localized indices to strengthen ecological governance.
Static GK fact: India has 10 bio-geographic zones and is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world.
Global and National Significance
Globally, the Singapore Index on Cities’ Biodiversity (2008) inspired the model adopted in Chennai. By adopting this tool, Chennai is setting a national precedent for incorporating biodiversity into urban resilience and climate adaptation strategies.
For India, this aligns with the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) and supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 15: Life on Land).
Static GK Tip: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established in 2003 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Way Forward
Chennai’s achievement highlights the importance of integrating biodiversity in urban governance frameworks. The next step involves strengthening ecosystem services, improving governance mechanisms, and promoting citizen participation to ensure long-term ecological balance.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Chennai City Biodiversity Index Sets New Benchmark:
| Topic | Detail |
| Launch date | August 25, 2025 |
| Launched by | Tamil Nadu Chief Minister |
| Index name | Chennai City Biodiversity Index |
| Prepared by | ICLEI South Asia |
| Indicators used | 23 (18 applied in baseline) |
| Total score | 38 out of 72 |
| Native biodiversity score | 12 out of 20 |
| Ecosystem services score | 6 out of 16 |
| Governance and management score | 17 out of 36 |
| Global inspiration | Singapore Index on Cities’ Biodiversity (2008) |
