New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Populations of critically endangered gharial in India and Nepal declined by approximately 58 per cent between 1997 and 2006, according to a new study by the WWF.

The WWF's Living Planet Report 2018, released Tuesday, presented a picture of impact of human activity on the world's wildlife, forests, oceans, rivers and climate, underlining the rapidly closing window for action.

Quoting The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture Report released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the WWF report said marine capture production in India increased by an average of 11.9 per cent from 2005 to 2014 and saw a 2.9 per cent increase from 2015 to 2016.

Citing the data from WWF-India's report on Water Stewardship for Industries, it said 14 out of 20 river basins in India are already water stressed and will be moving to extreme water scarcity by 2050.

"Science is showing us the harsh reality our forests, oceans and rivers are enduring at our hands. Inch by inch and species by species, shrinking wildlife numbers are an indicator of the tremendous impact and pressure we are exerting on the planet, undermining the very living fabric that sustains us all -- nature and biodiversity," Director General of WWF International Marco Lambertini said.

"It is important to remember that nature forms the crux of modern human society and our economic activities ultimately depend on the resources that the planet provides. It is time that we look beyond business as usual scenarios and galvanise collective action for positive change, allowing the planet an opportunity to revive itself," Secretary General and CEO of WWF-India Ravi Singh said.

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