New Delhi, June 5 -- On World Environment Day, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav outlined a massive 12-year environmental conservation roadmap implemented by the central government.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with ANI, Yadav detailed a sweep of policy changes, species protection programs, and severe crackdowns on pollution aimed at accelerating India's sustainable development.

A primary highlight of the briefing was India's monumental expansion of protected wetlands. Since 2014, the central government has expanded the number of globally recognised Ramsar sites from a mere 24 to a historic milestone of 100 lakes.

The number of dedicated tiger reserves across the country has scaled up signif...