New Delhi, Dec 31: The year 2025 marked a significant phase in India’s environmental governance, with major advances in forest conservation, wildlife protection, climate action, biodiversity management and regulatory reforms. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the year reflected a strong alignment between ecological sustainability, community participation and global leadership on climate and biodiversity issues.
From record plantation drives and expansion of protected areas to global leadership at multilateral forums, India reinforced its commitment to sustainable development while balancing conservation with economic growth.
Forest conservation and green cover expansion
A key highlight of the year was the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, launched on 5 June 2024, which emerged as one of the world’s largest people-led environmental movements. By December 2025, 262.4 crore saplings had been planted across the country. The campaign integrated cultural values with environmental action and was digitally monitored through the Meri LiFE portal.
According to the India State of Forest Report 2023, forest and tree cover now accounts for 25.17 per cent of India’s geographical area, with a cumulative increase of 4.83 per cent since 2013. The FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 ranked India 9th globally in total forest area and 3rd worldwide in annual net forest gain, reaffirming sustained progress in afforestation and restoration.
The National CAMPA Authority played a central role in strengthening compensatory afforestation through digital reforms, monitoring tools and financial oversight. During 2025–26, Annual Plans of Operation worth ₹8,561.34 crore were approved for 32 States and Union Territories.
Aravalli restoration and landscape-level interventions
Under the Aravalli Green Wall Initiative, restoration of nearly 6.31 million hectares has been planned across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Delhi. In 2025 alone, about 36,025 hectares were restored. A detailed action plan launched in May 2025 outlines a science-based, community-led roadmap combining forest restoration, grassland revival and mine reclamation. Over 435 nurseries with a production capacity of nearly 393 lakh saplings were established in the Aravalli landscape.
Wildlife conservation and species recovery
Tiger and elephant conservation
India expanded its protected area network significantly in 2025. The number of tiger reserves increased to 58, covering nearly 85,000 sq km, with the addition of Madhav Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. The sixth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation was initiated, reaffirming India’s leadership in wildlife monitoring.
Under Project Elephant, elephant reserves increased from 26 in 2014 to 33 in 2025, bringing an additional 8,610 sq km under protection. Measures included identification of 150 elephant corridors, enhanced ex-gratia compensation for human fatalities (₹10 lakh), DNA profiling through the Gaj Soochna App, and mitigation of railway-related risks.
Protected areas and community reserves
Protected Areas increased to 1,134 in 2025, compared to 745 in 2014. Community Reserves rose sharply to 309, reflecting growing community participation in conservation.
Project Cheetah expansion
Project Cheetah entered a new phase with expansion to Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary and plans for further sites such as Nauradehi and Banni grasslands. The cheetah population reached 30, including 19 cubs born in India, marking a major conservation milestone. An additional batch of eight cheetahs was received from Botswana during the year.
International Big Cat Alliance
India continued to lead the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), with its framework agreement entering into force in January 2025. Membership expanded to 18 countries, strengthening cooperation in conservation, research, and capacity-building for seven big cat species worldwide.
New national conservation initiatives
During Wildlife Week 2025, the government launched five national-level species conservation projects, including Project Dolphin (Phase II), Project Sloth Bear, Project Gharial, a Centre of Excellence for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management, and a project on tigers outside tiger reserves. Four national action plans and field guides for monitoring species such as dolphins, tigers, snow leopards and bustards were also released.
The 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife, chaired by the Prime Minister at Gir, reviewed conservation strategies and reinforced collaborative approaches to biodiversity protection.
Biodiversity governance and community participation
The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Rules, 2025 simplified compliance procedures, strengthened benefit-sharing mechanisms and encouraged research and innovation. Over ₹61 crore was disbursed to local communities under Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms.
India also actively participated in CBD COP-16 in Rome, advocating equity, finance and technology transfer to support biodiversity conservation in developing countries.
Climate action and global leadership
India achieved major milestones under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):
Emission intensity of GDP reduced by 36% from 2005 levels, well ahead of the 2030 target.
Non-fossil fuel sources crossed 50% of installed power capacity in June 2025.
Creation of 2.29 billion tonnes of additional carbon sink between 2005 and 2021.
The Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) became operational, establishing compliance and offset mechanisms aligned with international markets. India also signed a bilateral Article 6.2 mechanism with Japan in August 2025.
Air quality and urban environment
Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), 130 cities were covered, with ₹13,415 crore released as performance-linked funding so far. In 2024–25, 103 cities recorded a reduction in PM10 levels compared to 2017–18; 64 cities achieved over 20% reduction, and 25 achieved more than 40%.
Guidelines for Ward-level Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan were issued, and 22 cities met national PM10 standards.
Nagar Van Yojana
Urban forestry expanded with 75 new projects sanctioned in 2025, taking the total to 620 projects with an outlay of ₹654 crore, enhancing green spaces in urban and peri-urban areas.
Wetlands, coasts and mangroves
India added 11 new Ramsar sites in 2025, taking the total to 96, the highest in Asia. Indore and Udaipur became India’s first Ramsar-accredited Wetland Cities.
Under the MISHTI programme, 4,536 hectares of mangroves were restored in 2025, raising the total restored area to 22,560 hectares. The National Coastal Mission was extended till 2031 with an allocation of ₹767 crore. Eighteen Indian beaches received Blue Flag certification during the year.
Eco-Sensitive Zones continued to expand, with 353 ESZ notifications covering 496 protected areas, compared to only 25 before 2014.
Waste management and circular economy
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks were implemented across eight waste streams, strengthening India’s circular economy. By December 2025, over 71,000 producers and 4,447 recyclers were registered, and more than 375 lakh tonnes of waste had been processed.
New rules were notified for end-of-life vehicles, construction and demolition waste, non-ferrous metal scrap, batteries and plastic packaging. The Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 established a national framework for remediation of polluted sites.
Regulatory reforms and ease of doing business
Major reforms were introduced to streamline environmental clearances. These included simplified approval processes, revised industrial classifications, exemptions for low-impact activities, and rationalised green belt norms. The Environment Audit Rules, 2025 introduced certified third-party auditors to strengthen compliance through trust-based regulation.
The PARIVESH 2.0 portal achieved full automation of environmental, forest and wildlife clearances, integrating GIS tools and national digital platforms to improve transparency and efficiency.
Global engagement and diplomacy
India played a leading role at global forums including COP-30 (Brazil), UNEA-7 (Nairobi), Ramsar COP-15, BRICS Climate Forum, and Minamata COP-6. India’s resolution on Strengthening the Global Management of Wildfires was adopted at UNEA-7, while another resolution on Sustainable Lifestyles for the Wise Use of Wetlands was adopted at Ramsar COP-15.
India also secured an extension under the Minamata Convention to phase out mercury-added products and advanced climate finance, adaptation and just transition discussions at COP-30.
Public outreach and awareness
Throughout 2025, the ministry organised nationwide observances including World Environment Day, World Wetlands Day, Global Tiger Day, World Elephant Day, International Yoga Day (Harit Yoga), and Wildlife Week. Mission LiFE mobilised over six crore citizens, with nearly five crore pledges recorded.
Towards a sustainable future
The Year-End Review 2025 highlights India’s integrated approach to environmental governance—combining conservation, community participation, technological innovation and global leadership. Through sustained reforms, ambitious targets and international cooperation, India continues to position itself as a key global leader in biodiversity conservation, climate action and sustainable development.
