UP too has contributed to rise in tiger count in country: Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav

LUCKNOW: Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday said India has taken decisive steps to combat climate change under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by working along the lines of climate justice and sustainability.
He was speaking on the inaugural day of the two-day National Climate Conclave-2023 organised at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow.
Yadav also applauded the increase in the number of tigers and UP's contribution to it. "I am happy to tell you that UP has added a new tiger reserve Ranipur last year, taking the number of reserves to three-Dudhwa, Philibhit and Ranipur. And a proposal for one more tiger sanctuary has been received recently." The minister added that UP is becoming India's growth engine under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath by fulfilling the resolutions of PM.
He said India is one of the few countries to have achieved most of the voluntary Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) assigned to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under the 2015 Paris Agreement ahead of schedule.
Giving examples, he said in renewable energy, India had in 2015 set a target of producing 175 GW of power from non-fossil fuel-based sources by the end of 2030, which has been achieved nine years ahead of schedule. Likewise, the carbon emission reduction target was also achieved nine years ahead of schedule.
Similarly, the target of 10% ethanol blending in petrol has been achieved 5 months before the target of November 2022, in which UP played an important role by being at the first place in ethanol production.
Highlighting lifestyle effect on carbon emissions, he said, during Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (CO), PM launched global 'Lifestyle for the Environment - Life Movement' (Mission life) to promote an environmentally conscious lifestyle that is based on 'conscious and sustainable consumption' rather than 'mindless and destructive consumption'.
He added that 17% of the developed countries are responsible for 60% of the carbon emissions and per capita carbon emissions by Indians are among the lowest in the world because of an environment friendly lifestyle.
The minister further spoke on how India has taken a lead in several global fora for climate justice and climate equity. Be it the International Solar Alliance (ISA) uniting 133 countries with France, or the new Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) initiative with the UK, Australia and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), India is at the forefront.
Earlier, minister of state (Independent charge) for forest and environment Arun Kumar Saxena said: "It is need of the hour that environment friendly development is done."
A booklet on conservation of environment, wildlife and climate was also released.