New Delhi, May 11: Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister has urged industries and corporate leaders to actively support global big cat conservation through funding and partnerships. Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) conference on “Future of the Global Economy, Industry and Society, and the Vision for India@100,” Shri Yadav announced that India will host the first International Big Cat Summit in New Delhi on June 1 and 2.
The Minister said the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), launched under the leadership of Prime Minister , aims to protect the world’s seven major big cat species tiger, lion, cheetah, leopard, snow leopard, jaguar and puma. Highlighting the importance of corporate participation, Shri Yadav said financial support from industries is crucial for habitat restoration, technology-driven monitoring and surveillance, community-based conservation, awareness campaigns and capacity building.
He emphasized that protecting big cats is essential not only for wildlife conservation but also for maintaining ecological balance, biodiversity and water resources. Calling them “umbrella species,” the Minister said conserving big cats helps protect entire ecosystems. Shri Yadav also noted that the Confederation of Indian Industry already has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IBCA to strengthen conservation efforts.
Speaking on India’s long-term development vision, the Minister said the world is currently undergoing a major transformation driven by artificial intelligence, green technologies, digital economies, geopolitical changes and climate challenges. He stated that India is uniquely positioned to become a global leader by combining innovation, sustainability, resilience and inclusive growth. Highlighting the country’s progress in renewable energy, Shri Yadav said India is now the world’s third-largest nation in installed renewable energy capacity. He informed that India’s solar energy capacity has grown from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 150 GW by March 2026.
The Minister added that nearly 50 percent of India’s installed electricity capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, achieving the target well ahead of the 2030 deadline.
He further said India has reduced the emissions intensity of its GDP by 36 percent between 2005 and 2020 and achieved a 37.38 percent reduction according to the country’s first Biennial Transparency Report submitted under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement framework. Outlining the vision for India@100, Shri Yadav said economic transformation, skill development, sustainable growth, social inclusion and a stronger global presence will guide India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
“Our vision is to build a developed, inclusive, innovative, sustainable and self-confident India that contributes meaningfully to global peace and prosperity,” the Minister said.
