changeadmin“It is an honour to be at the award-giving ceremony recognising the efforts of our brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to the conservation of forests and wildlife”, said India’s Minister of State for Environment, Mr Kirti Vardhan Singh, in Abu Dhabi.
He was participating in the ‘Recognition Ceremony of Forest Rangers’, on the sidelines of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025. These are the people who ensure that the country’s rich wildlife heritage is preserved for generations to come, he stated, while releasing the report ‘Guardians of the Wild’.
Held once every four years, the IUCN World Conservation Congress brings together leaders, policymakers, civil society, indigenous peoples, business, and academia to conserve the environment and harness the solutions nature offers to global challenges. This year’s IUCN World Conservation Congress is taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 9 to 15 October 2025.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Singh noted that Countries around the world have enacted comprehensive legislation and policy frameworks for the protection of our forests and wildlife. But it is the forest rangers and support staff who work on the ground to ensure that these policies, rules and regulations are implemented in true spirit.
The work they do encompasses a wide variety of activities, including patrolling, wildlife enumeration, and fighting forest fires, among others. They face an enormous threat to life from poachers and timber smugglers, as many of them have laid down their lives in the line of duty for the cause of protecting forests and wildlife, he said.
The Minister saluted the dedication of forest guards and support staff and congratulated IUCN and WTI for recognising and acknowledging their valuable service. Mr Singh recounted various interactions with forest staff since his childhood and cherished the indigenous knowledge and traditional wisdom they shared about our forests and wildlife.
Governments should acknowledge and document this wealth of knowledge that the frontline staff possesses. In India, the Men and Women guarding our forests are honoured with the terms “Vanrakshaks” and “Vanrakshikas,” he informed.
Mr Singh took this opportunity to assure the frontline forest staff of all the Government support they require to fulfil their needs. He informed that the Government of India regularly takes capacity-building initiatives and deploys technological aids, including forest surveillance through drones, satellite tracking, and radio collaring of animals.
These steps ensure that the ground staff are well-equipped with the latest technology and are always prepared to not only protect forests and wildlife from illegal activities but also prevent human-wildlife conflicts, he concluded.
Earlier in the day, Mr Kirti Vardhan Singh had participated in the Ministerial Panel at the High-Level Dialogue on ‘Transforming our Urban Environment: Pathways to Sustainability’, on the sidelines of the IUCN World Conservation Congress.
Mr Singh informed that India’s efforts to foster carbon markets and promote renewable energy generation are a step towards achieving the clarion call of ‘Mission LiFE’ given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which serves as a guiding principle for sustainability initiatives across the globe. The Government of India’s approach emphasises integrated planning, scalable missions, and citizen-centric behavioural change, he stated.
Flagship initiatives such as the Smart Cities Mission mainstream energy efficiency, renewable integration, sustainable mobility, and resilient infrastructure. The Minister informed about the Government providing support to India’s cities through three key pillars, which are:
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Enabling frameworks and standards for green buildings, energy codes, and municipal finance.
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Financing and risk-sharing are being advanced through central grants, targeted viability-gap funding, and ongoing efforts to expand the city’s access to municipal bond markets, including green bonds.
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Capacity-building and knowledge systems, including training, data platforms, and model projects under Smart Cities, AMRUT, and urban-planning reforms.
Mr Singh noted that with the right vision, finance, and citizen engagement, urbanisation can become a powerful driver of low-carbon, inclusive development. India has adopted a holistic approach combining policy support, targeted schemes, and financial incentives. He talked about some of India’s National programmes, such as:
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The Smart Cities Mission, covering 100 cities, blends central funding with local planning to roll out smart street-lighting, rooftop solar, and building-energy management systems — reducing electricity use while improving urban services. Energy-Efficient Building Codes guide cities in ensuring new construction is climate-friendly.
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The Energy Conservation Act, amended in 2022, strengthens energy-efficiency standards for buildings, appliances, and industries. It also enables the establishment of a domestic carbon-credit market that rewards cities and businesses for reducing their energy footprint.
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The AMRUT programme has enabled municipalities to upgrade to energy-efficient water-supply and pumping systems, lowering both costs and energy demand.
Looking ahead, Mr Singh said, the role of national governments is to provide stable policy frameworks that support cities in updating their bylaws and development regulations. They must work to expand access to innovative finance and deepen technology partnerships.
This, in turn, would encourage compact, transit-oriented, and energy-efficient urban growth. With such support, cities can advance faster toward energy-efficient, low-emission, and climate-resilient pathways that benefit their citizens and the planet.
As the countries of the Global South, including India, are urbanising rapidly, our goal must be to create cities that are livable, green, and inclusive — places where aspirations can thrive without losing the human touch, the Minister concluded.
At the Conference, India has also launched the National Red List Assessment initiative to assess and monitor the conservation status of species in the country.
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