Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav today said that corporate funding is essential for habitat restoration, technology-driven monitoring and community-based conservation of big cats. Addressing a CII Annual Business Summit in New Delhi, the Minister urged industry leaders to actively support global big cat conservation efforts. Mr Yadav stated that India will host the first International Big Cat Summit on the 1st and 2nd of next month in the national capital under the International Big Cat Alliance for the protection of seven major big cat species, including tiger, lion, cheetah and snow leopard. He noted that big cats play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and conserving biodiversity and water resources.

Highlighting India’s climate achievements, Mr Yadav said the country now ranks third globally in renewable energy installed capacity, while cumulative solar capacity has reached 150 gigawatts as of March this year. He added that nearly 50 per cent of India’s installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, achieving the target ahead of the 2030 timeline. The Minister said India is uniquely positioned to emerge as a global leader by combining innovation with resilience, economic growth with sustainability and development with social inclusion. He added that the country has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing major economy with significant progress in renewable energy, digital public infrastructure, startups and manufacturing sectors. He added that economic transformation, sustainable development, social inclusion and human capital development will define India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.