New Delhi, March 10 India has made significant progress in climate protection with a "whole-of-government" approach adopted by the Narendra Modi-led government, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said, asserting that the number of protected areas and wildlife reserves has increased substantially since 2014.
Responding to a debate on the functioning of his ministry in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that the number of protected areas in the country has increased from 757 in 2014 to 1,134 in 2026. The total protected area has expanded from 1,68,838.37 sq km to 1,87,162.91 sq km, Yadav said.
Highlighting conservation efforts, he said the number of tiger reserves has increased from 47 in 2014 to 58 now, elephant reserves from 26 to 33, and the Asiatic lion population has risen from 523 to 891. "Around 70 per cent of the world's tigers in the wild are in India," he said.
Yadav further said that India has enhanced its tree cover from 92,572 sq km to 1,12,014 sq km and created additional carbon sinks as part of its climate commitments.
The minister said that environmental governance has been strengthened through digital platforms such as the PARIVESH portal, which has reduced the time taken for environmental clearances from about 600 days to less than 90 days.
He said that the government has also framed rules on construction and demolition waste, electronic waste, fly ash disposal and single-use plastics to tackle pollution.
Participating in the debate, Congress member Neeraj Dangi raised concerns over deforestation, air pollution and the impact of infrastructure projects on ecosystems and tribal communities.
"I want to express the pain of people who are suffering from air pollution. Forests are being cut and the future is being threatened by climate change," he said.
Dangi referred to the degradation of the Aravalli mountain range and alleged that illegal mining has destroyed several hillocks. He also cited reports suggesting rising deaths linked to air pollution and criticised the government for allegedly downplaying the health impact of particulate pollution.
He also raised concerns over the proposed infrastructure project in Greater Nicobar, saying it could threaten the fragile ecosystem and indigenous communities living there.
Before Dangi spoke, Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan said he was making a special exception to allow the Congress member to intervene even though the discussion had concluded.
"Normally, as per convention, once the discussion is concluded, no further interventions are permitted. However, the essence of democracy lies in discussion, dialogue and debate," he said.
Radhakrishnan said the request by the Congress chief whip was being permitted "as a special case" so that the opposition could participate in the debate. He added that it should not be seen as discrimination but as a symbolic gesture to encourage wider participation.
Opposition parties staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha on Monday and did not return to the House thereafter. As a result, they largely did not take part in the debate on the functioning of the environment ministry.