Facts for UPSC Mains
India’s Green Pathway: From Conservation to Climate Action
- 08 Apr 2026
- 16 min read
Why in News?
India’s evolving environmental strategy, highlighted in its “Green Pathway” approach, reflects a shift from conservation to integrated climate action. Amid rising climate challenges, India is aligning biodiversity protection with economic growth and sustainability.
- The country is also emerging as a key global voice on climate justice and sustainable development.
How is India Advancing Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development?
- India's Biodiversity & Conservation Framework:
- Rich Biodiversity: Despite occupying only 2.4% of the global land area, India hosts about 8% of the world's recorded species (over 96,000 animal and 47,000 plant species).
- Legal Foundation: Conservation is governed by the Biological Diversity Act (2002), aligning with the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- NBSAP 2024–2030: Launched at United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) – COP 16 (Saudi Arabia) the updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, with a vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050.
- The roadmap targets ecosystem restoration, species recovery, wetland/coastal conservation, and stronger governance through local and national biodiversity committees.
- Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation Programmes:
- Protected Areas: Expanded significantly from 745 in 2014 to 1,134 in 2025, with a focus on wildlife corridors for safe animal movement.
- Key Species Projects:
- Project Tiger: Tiger Reserves increased to 58 (the newest being Madhav Tiger Reserve).
- Project Elephant: Expanded to 33 reserves, securing 150 elephant corridors across 15 states.
- Project Cheetah: The population has reached 30 (including 19 cubs born in India). The project is expanding to new areas like Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Project Snow Leopard: The first assessment estimated 718 snow leopards (highest in Ladakh). Phase 2.0 was launched in late 2025.
- Project Dolphin: Estimated 6,327 riverine dolphins (2021–2023). A second range-wide survey covering major rivers launched in January 2026.
- International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): India led multi-country, multi-agency coalition that brings together 95 big cat range countries, non-range nations interested in conservation, creating a unified platform for collaborative action and knowledge sharing.
- Launched by India in 2023 during the 50 years of Project Tiger, IBCA was later approved by the Union Cabinet with its Secretariat headquartered in India.
- Wildlife Week 2025 Launches: Introduced new national projects for the Sloth Bear and Gharial, emphasizing a landscape-level strategy that combines species protection with forest ecosystem restoration.
- Forest and Biosphere Conservation:
- Biosphere Reserves: India maintains a network of 18 Biosphere Reserves. Of these, 13 are recognized under UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, with the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (Himachal Pradesh) being the latest addition in September 2025.
- Forest Fire Management: To mitigate climate-induced risks, the Forest Survey of India operates a 24x7 satellite-based, real-time fire monitoring system that issues instant SMS and email alerts.
- Mass Afforestation Drive: The citizen-led Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (Plant4Mother) campaign became a massive environmental movement, resulting in the planting of 262.4 crore saplings by the end of 2025.
- Wetlands and Coastal Ecosystems:
- Mangrove Restoration: Recognizing mangroves as natural buffers, Under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) India restored 4,536 hectares in 2025 and identified another 22,560 hectares across 13 States/UTs for future plantation.
- Ramsar Sites: India declared 11 new Ramsar Sites in 2025, bringing the total to 98 (the highest in Asia and 3rd globally).
- Notably, Udaipur and Indore became India’s first Ramsar-accredited Wetland Cities.
- National Coastal Mission: Extended for 2025–2031 to enhance coastal climate resilience, manage erosion, and protect coral reefs.
- Blue Flag Beaches: By the 2025–26 season, 18 beaches across 7 states and 4 Union Territories achieved the international Blue Flag certification for cleanliness, safety, and sustainable management.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict Management: The government has issued strict advisories to identify conflict hotspots, mandate coordinated action, and establish rapid response teams.
- To support affected communities, the government ensures that ex gratia relief for death or injury is paid within 24 hours.
- India launched a dedicated "Centre of Excellence for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management" and a specific project addressing "Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves."
- Pollution Control & Circular Economy Initiatives:
- Clean Air Success (NCAP): Out of 130 targeted cities, 103 successfully reduced PM10 concentrations by 2024–25 (compared to 2017–18).
- Notably, 64 cities saw a 20% drop, and 25 cities achieved a 40% reduction.
- Fly Ash Utilization: The government mandates 100% utilization of thermal power plant fly ash.
- In 2024–25, out of 340 million tonnes generated, a massive 332.63 million tonnes were successfully repurposed into roads (32%), cement (27%), and bricks (14%).
- Recycling Infrastructure Boom: To support sustainable development, the number of waste recycling plants in India nearly quadrupled from 2019–25.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): By December 2025, over 71,000 producers and 4,400 recyclers registered, facilitating the recycling of over 375 lakh tonnes of waste.
- India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 introduced EPR targets up to 100% by 2024–25. The 2026 amendments allow flexibility by permitting carry-forward of unmet targets for three years, with at least one-third cleared annually.
- Clean Air Success (NCAP): Out of 130 targeted cities, 103 successfully reduced PM10 concentrations by 2024–25 (compared to 2017–18).
- Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth: Guided by NITI Aayog, India's overall composite SDG score has steadily increased from 57 in 2018 to 71 in 2023–24.
What is India’s Strategy for Climate Action?
- Climate Policies & Targets:
- NAPCC: The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) serves as the overarching framework, featuring nine sectoral missions to balance adaptation and mitigation.
- NDCs: Under Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) for the period 2031-2035.
- India pledges to achieve 60% of its cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources (including solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and nuclear) by 2035.
- India has already reached 52.57% as of February 2026, successfully meeting its previous 2030 target (50%).
- India aims to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 47% by 2035, compared to 2005 baseline levels.
- India had already achieved a 36% reduction by 2020, keeping it well on track to beat its earlier 45% reduction target for 2030.
- India targets the creation of an additional carbon sink of 3.5 to 4.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through enhanced forest and tree cover by 2035.
- As of 2025, India has created an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent from forest and tree cover.
- India pledges to achieve 60% of its cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources (including solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and nuclear) by 2035.
- Net-Zero & Hydrogen: India aims for Net-Zero by 2070. The National Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 million metric tonnes of annual production by 2030.
- Mission LiFE: A grassroots movement for sustainable living that has engaged over 6 crore people and secured nearly 5 crore pledges by December 2025.
- Clean Energy Expansion:
- Current Capacity (Jan 2026): Non-fossil sources officially power the majority of India. Out of ~520.5 GW total capacity, non-fossil fuels account for ~272 GW, overtaking fossil fuels (~248.5 GW).
- Global Rankings (2025): India ranks 3rd globally in solar power and 4th in both wind and total renewable energy.
- Milestone Projects: Modhera (Gujarat) became India’s first 24x7 solar-powered village, and Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh) houses the nation's largest floating solar park.
- Efficiency: CO₂ emission intensity in the power sector dropped significantly from 61.45 to 40.52 tonnes per ₹ crore of GDP between 2015 and 2023.
- Carbon Markets & Industrial Decarbonization
- Carbon Trading: India operationalized its domestic Carbon Credit Trading Scheme to ensure compliance and offset mechanisms.
- Industrial Accountability: In January 2026, the government expanded Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity targets to cover 490 major emission-intensive entities.
- Carbon Capture (CCUS): The 2026–27 Union Budget allocated a massive Rs 20,000 crore over five years to develop Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage technologies.
- Global Leadership & Multilateral Engagement
- Diplomacy: At COP30 (Brazil, 2025), India pushed for tech transfers and joined the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF).
- Solar & Ozone: India hosted the 8th International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly in late 2025. Under the Montreal Protocol, it successfully phased down 67.5% of HCFCs (ozone-depleting substances) by 2025.
Conclusion
India is successfully blending robust domestic action such as renewable energy expansion, pollution control, habitat restoration, and massive citizen engagement with global cooperation. Backed by measurable achievements across all sectors, India is firmly on track to realize its ultimate 2050 vision of "living in harmony with nature."
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Drishti Mains Question: “India’s environmental strategy reflects a shift from conservation to climate action.” Critically examine. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is NBSAP 2024–2030?
India’s biodiversity roadmap to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve harmony with nature by 2050.
2. What is the significance of MISHTI?
A mangrove restoration initiative enhancing coastal resilience and protecting against climate risks.
3. What is the target of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission?
To produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
4. What is the objective of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)?
To reduce particulate pollution (PM10/PM2.5) across 130 cities through targeted action plans.
5. What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?
A framework making producers responsible for recycling and disposal of plastic, e-waste, tyres, and batteries.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims
Q. With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)
- It is a Public Limited Government Company.
- It is a Non-Banking Financial Company.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
Q. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)
- The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN, and it will go into effect in 2017.
- The Agreement aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2ºC or even 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels.
- Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $ 1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference?(2021)
Q. Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?(2021)
Q. “Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.Comment on the progress made in India in this regard.(2018)
