Happy to have met with Mr Narend Singh, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Republic of South Africa on the sidelines of CBD COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia today. We exchanged our views on matters related to an equitable, effective and adequately funded multilateral mechanism for benefit-sharing from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources, including the Cali Fund. We further discussed the ongoing Project Cheetah and the conservation efforts steering it. India appreciates South Africa’s sustained support for Project Cheetah and we look forward to advancing both agenda items.

Met with Mr. Carsten Schneider, German Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, on the sidelines of the ongoing high-level segment of CBD COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia today. We reviewed the recent Joint Declaration of Intent on conservation and wise use of wetlands as a follow-up to recently held 4th Indo-German Environment Forum in New Delhi. We also deliberated upon matters related to climate adaptation, international climate finance and cooperation in the run-up to UNFCCC' COP31.

Delighted to have met with Mr Ing. Ivo Marcin, Deputy Minister of the Environment for the Czech Republic, on the sidelines of CBD COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia today. Our discussions focused on topics related to waste and water management with focus on aspects related to Circular Economy and technology transfer.

On the sidelines of ongoing high-level segment of CBD COP17, was pleased to meet with Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biodiversity. Our discussions focused on key agendas related to ongoing negotiations related to digital sequence information, and resource mobilisation. India remains committed to effective implementation of Kunming Montreal Biodiversity Framework. Reaffirmed our continuous support to the Convention on the same.

Presented India's National Statement in Yerevan, Armenia today at the 17th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17- CBD). India advocates a science-based, risk-proportionate and precautionary approach to synthetic biology and biosafety. Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi ji, India is advancing biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration through initiatives such as IBCA, Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam, Mission LiFE, Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), ‘Amrit Dharohar’ for the conservation of wetlands, and the Soil Health Card Scheme for promoting sustainable soil management and maintaining soil fertility. 🔗 pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetai…

Arrived in Yerevan, Armenia today to participate in the high-level segment of the 17th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17- CBD). Over the next few days, will present India's views, efforts and achievements in conserving its rich natural natural biodiversity across the different bilateral and multilaterals forums. Under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, India's focus on conservation efforts has resulted in significant progress in achieving targets under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and offers lessons for strengthening ABS implementation in diverse national contexts.

A meet up with Ecoprenuers and Innovators for a Green India 🇮🇳 🌱

A journey to India through 23 countries! Having started from their breeding areas in northeastern China 11 days ago, the two Amur Falcons Apapang and Alang arrived in Manipur yesterday. This marks the successful completion of their nearly year-long tracking and also their round-trip journey back to Manipur since tagging by scientists of WII in November 2025; travelling through 23 countries on their journey across Africa and Asia, the Amur Falcons are truly global citizens. The two Amur falcons are expected to now make a two to three week stopover at select sites in the beautiful mountainous tracts of Tamenglong district in Manipur, where local people now eagerly wait for their return year after year and protect the falcons. Feasting on the termites emerging in and around their stopover sites the Amurs will put on fat reserves that is critical for their next leg of migration, which will be a 6-day nonstop flight of nearly 6000 km from here to Somalia that also includes a 3000 km Arabian Sea crossing. The Amur Falcons are truly remarkable for their migration journeys.

Had a very engaging and meaningful interaction with StartUps and innovation companies working on environmental solutions, especially air pollution control and mitigation. The companies presented their solutions to air pollution control challenges and we deliberated on ways to engage further on the proposed solutions. The areas covered by the companies include: 🌱 Industrial emissions monitoring and enforcement: Develop tamper-proof OCEMS and AI detection of data drift/manipulation; monitor APCDs, detect bypass or malfunction, and link APCD operation with furnace/boiler controls. Integrate CAQMS, OCEMS and plant-operation data to flag potential violations. 🌱 Dust control at construction sites and roads: Use of AI cameras to detect C&D-site dust and activate suppression equipment; develop movable dust-containment and filtration systems. Promote low-cost mechanised road sweepers and tools to identify road-dust resuspension hotspots. 🌱 City-wide air-quality mapping and source attribution: Map air quality in near real time, including unmonitored areas; locate hotspots and estimate contributions from vehicles, road dust, construction, industries and biomass burning using monitoring, satellite and meteorological data. 🌱 Cleaner vehicles and smoother traffic: Develop tamper-proof PUC testing that verifies genuine exhaust sampling; use ANPR and linked databases to identify vehicles without valid PUCCs and over-aged vehicles. Apply AI to predict congestion and improve traffic flow, reducing idling and emissions. 🌱 Stubble/open-burning detection and utilisation: Enable 24×7 detection and geolocation of paddy-stubble and other open biomass-burning incidents, with alerts and response tracking. Optimise straw collection, transport and matching with bioenergy, biomass-fuel, composting and other utilisation facilities. 🌱 Cleaner industrial operations and DG sets: Provide affordable systems to monitor combustion efficiency and fuel use in small industries. Improve DG-set emissions control through smart RECDs that detect choking, malfunction, bypass, removal or tampering. 🌱 Recycling construction and demolition waste: Create digital platforms to certify, match and track recycled C&D products against construction-sector demand, improving transparency and utilisation. 🌱 Faster, efficient road maintenance: Developing portable, cost-effective pothole-repair machines for rapid, durable repairs with less manpower and reduced traffic disruption. 🔗 pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.…

India’s Ramsar site tally reaches 103 🇮🇳🌿 India continues to strengthen its commitment to wetland conservation, with Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh becoming the latest additions to the list of Ramsar Sites. This milestone highlights the importance PM Shri @narendramodi ji’s government has been laying on wetlands in conserving biodiversity, enhancing water and climate security, and sustaining local livelihoods. These additions reaffirm India’s ongoing efforts to conserve its rich wetland ecosystems and strengthen the ecological, climatic and livelihood benefits they provide. 🌏💧 I congratulate Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh for this feat. Dear travellers, do visit Sukhna and Sauj next time you have a couple days at hand. #AmritDharohar