The latest All India Tiger Estimation (2022) indicates that India’s tiger population has reached 3,682, accounting for 70 per cent of the global wild tiger population. In addition, 33 elephant reserves have been designated to protect these keystone species.
The Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing environmental and climate change issues through a series of legislative, regulatory, and administrative measures. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha today, the minister outlined various schemes and initiatives aimed at preserving, conserving, and protecting India’s natural environment while mitigating the effects of pollution and climate change.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has launched several schemes targeting pollution control, afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management. These initiatives are at various stages of implementation and aim to bolster environmental protection efforts across the country.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, covers 130 cities across 24 states and Union Territories (UTs). The programme aims to achieve a 40 per cent reduction in particulate matter levels by 2025-26 from 2017-18 levels. A dedicated ‘PRANA’ portal has been developed to provide real-time updates on air quality, enabling data-driven interventions for pollution control.
The government has introduced a regulatory framework to promote a circular economy in waste management. Under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime, industries are mandated to recycle end-of-life wastes. EPR rules have been notified for plastic waste, tyre waste, battery waste, used oil waste, and e-waste, ensuring sustainable waste disposal and enhancing resource circularity.
Mangrove Conservation Initiative: MISHTI
The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), launched on World Environment Day, June 5, 2024, is a crucial effort to restore and promote mangrove ecosystems along India’s coastline. So far, 22,561 hectares of degraded mangroves have been restored across 13 states and UTs, with ₹17.96 crore allocated for restoration of 3,836 hectares in six states and UTs.
The Nagar Van Yojana, implemented by the National Afforestation and Eco-development Board (NAEB), aims to develop 600 Nagar Vans and 400 Nagar Vatikas between 2020-21 and 2026-27. This initiative focuses on increasing urban green cover, enhancing biodiversity, and improving the quality of life in cities.
The Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, launched in October 2022, promotes mindful consumption and sustainable lifestyles. It focuses on key areas such as water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction, e-waste management, elimination of single-use plastics, sustainable food systems, and healthy living. Complementing this, the Eco-mark Rules were notified on September 26, 2024, to encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly products.
On World Environment Day 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (#Plant4Mother)’ campaign, urging citizens to plant trees as a tribute to their mothers and Mother Earth. As part of this effort, 109 crore saplings have been planted as of January 2025, contributing to the goal of 140 crore trees by March 2025.
Biodiversity Conservation Efforts
India has significantly expanded its Protected Areas (PAs), from 745 in 2014 to 1,022 in 2025, covering 5.43 per cent of the total geographic area. Community reserves have also increased from 43 in 2014 to 220, indicating growing local participation in conservation efforts.
The country now has 57 Tiger Reserves, covering 82,836.45 sq km — approximately 2.5 per cent of India’s total geographical area. The latest All India Tiger Estimation (2022) indicates that India’s tiger population has reached 3,682, accounting for 70 per cent of the global wild tiger population. In addition, 33 elephant reserves have been designated to protect these keystone species.
India has added 59 wetlands to the Ramsar list since 2014, bringing the total to 89 sites covering 1.35 million hectares. India now has the largest Ramsar network in Asia and the third-largest globally. Udaipur and Indore were also recently recognized under the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme.
India’s Climate Action and Emission Reduction
India’s commitment to climate action is driven by its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and its long-term net-zero goal by 2070. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) provides a framework for climate initiatives in sectors such as solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitats, water conservation, agriculture, and health.
The Climate Change Action Programme (CCAP) and the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) have played a crucial role in reducing India’s emission intensity by 36 per cent between 2005 and 2020. As of October 2024, 46.52 per cent of India’s installed electricity generation capacity comes from non-fossil fuel sources, with renewable energy capacity reaching 203.22 GW.
India’s forest and tree cover has steadily increased, now covering 25.17 per cent of the total geographical area. From 2005 to 2021, an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent has been created, further reinforcing India’s commitment to combat climate change.
In his written reply, Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasized that despite India’s historically low contribution to global emissions, the country remains committed to climate action, sustainable development, and poverty eradication. He reiterated that India’s environmental policies align with the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, as outlined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement.
With a combination of policy-driven action, large-scale afforestation, enhanced conservation efforts, and a shift toward renewable energy, India continues to make significant strides in environmental protection and climate resilience.
