Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday marked World Environment Day by highlighting how his government’s initiatives over the past decade have driven expanding green cover and boosted populations of several animal species across India.

In a post on X, Modi applauded citizens’ collective efforts, backed by science, innovation and policy, in improving the environment. He described the day as a reminder to reaffirm commitment to sustainable growth and environmental protection.

“Some of India’s key successes include expanding green cover and a rise in the population of several animals,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister pointed to notable conservation achievements, including recovery programmes for the Great Indian Bustard, snow leopards, sloth bears and cheetahs. He also credited the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative with adding nearly 119,000 hectares of forest cover annually.

Guided by the principle of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, the government will continue its Mission LiFE efforts toward a cleaner, greener and more sustainable planet, he added.

World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, was established by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1973 and remains one of the largest global platforms for environmental awareness. Azerbaijan is hosting the 2026 celebrations.