The Government of India continues its strong commitment to addressing environmental issues and tackling climate change. A range of legislative, regulatory, and administrative measures have been put in place to preserve, conserve, and protect the environment, as well as to control and reduce pollution.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has been designated as the central authority for implementing India’s environmental and forest policies, as well as its climate change initiatives. The Ministry has introduced numerous schemes aimed at improving environmental health, conserving forests, and curbing pollution. These schemes are at various stages of implementation and include national efforts for environmental education, pollution control, wildlife protection, and the conservation of natural resources.
Notable initiatives include:
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Launched in 2019, this initiative covers 130 cities across 24 states and Union Territories. The program aims for a 40% reduction in particulate matter levels by 2025-26, compared to 2017-18 levels. The ‘PRANA’ portal has been set up to provide real-time air quality data.
- Circular Economy Regulations: The government has established a regulatory framework for circular economy practices, mandating the recycling of end-of-life products such as plastic waste, e-waste, tyres, batteries, and used oils. The objective is to enhance the circularity of the economy while managing waste in an environmentally responsible manner.
- Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI): Launched on 5th June 2024, MISHTI aims to restore and protect mangrove forests along India’s coastline. Over 22,561 hectares of degraded mangroves have been restored across 13 states and Union Territories.
- Nagar Van Yojana: Under the National Afforestation and Eco-development Board (NAEB), the Nagar Van Yojana seeks to establish 600 urban forests and 400 urban parks across India by 2026, enhancing biodiversity and improving the quality of life for urban populations.
- Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): Launched in October 2022, this global initiative encourages sustainable living through mindful consumption, focusing on themes like water conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable food systems.
Further, the government has actively promoted tree plantation. On 5th June 2024, the Prime Minister launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, urging citizens to plant trees as a symbol of respect for the Earth. The initiative aims to plant 140 crore trees by March 2025, with over 109 crore saplings already planted by January 2025.
In terms of wildlife conservation, India has expanded its protected areas, increasing the number from 745 in 2014 to 1022 today, covering 5.43% of the country’s total land area. Notably, India now has 57 Tiger Reserves and 33 elephant reserves.
India’s commitment to climate action is encapsulated in its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), with a goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. The country’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) outlines specific missions in solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and more, with the MoEFCC overseeing key climate change programs.
India has made remarkable strides in reducing its emission intensity. From 2005 to 2020, the country’s emission intensity of GDP decreased by 36%. The share of non-fossil sources in India’s installed electricity capacity reached 46.52% by October 2024, with renewable energy capacity growing significantly.
In total, India’s forest and tree cover has grown to 25.17% of the country’s land area, contributing to the creation of an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent between 2005 and 2021.
Despite contributing very little to global emissions, India continues to lead climate action efforts, reflecting the principles of equity, sustainable development, and poverty eradication as per the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement.
This information was shared by Mr Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, in response to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
