Share of terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas that are protected in India
India: Share of terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas that are protected was 9.7% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas that are protected in India, 2000–2025
Source: BirdLife International, IUCN and UNEP-WCMC – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, share of terrestrial key biodiversity areas that are protected in India stood at 9.7%. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
The figure is up 56.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of terrestrial key biodiversity areas that are protected in India peaked at 9.7% in 2022 and was at its lowest, 1.4%, in 2000.
That places India 213th out of 240 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas that are protected in India, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1.4% | — |
| 2001 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 6.0% | +313.8% |
| 2013 | 6.0% | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 6.2% | +3.3% |
| 2015 | 6.2% | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 6.3% | +1.9% |
| 2017 | 6.3% | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 6.3% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 7.3% | +16.1% |
| 2020 | 7.8% | +6.3% |
| 2021 | 8.7% | +11.5% |
| 2022 | 9.7% | +11.4% |
| 2023 | 9.7% | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 9.7% | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 9.7% | +0.0% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 9.7% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 45.6%, 21% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- India's 9.7% is below the median for South Asia, which is 41.4%, 23% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.4% | 1.4% | 7.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.2% | 7.8% | 9.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near India
- 210 China 10.7% compare
- 211 Marshall Islands 10.1% compare
- 212 Mauritius 10.0% compare
- 214 French Polynesia 8.6% compare
- 215 Lebanon 7.5% compare
- 216 British Virgin Islands 7.4% compare
More environment data for India
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 11.05 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 12.52 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.254 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 0.954 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 3.92 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 1.12 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of terrestrial key biodiversity areas that are protected in India?
- Share of terrestrial key biodiversity areas that are protected in India was 9.7% in 2025, according to BirdLife International, IUCN and UNEP-WCMC – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of terrestrial key biodiversity areas that are protected recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 9.7% in 2022.
- What is the lowest share of terrestrial key biodiversity areas that are protected recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.4% in 2000.
- How does India rank for share of terrestrial key biodiversity areas that are protected?
- India ranks 213th out of 240 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of terrestrial key biodiversity areas that are protected rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 56.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from BirdLife International, IUCN and UNEP-WCMC – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas that are protected. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Average proportion of Terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) covered by protected areas (%).