India, Aug. 6 -- The 16th Lion population estimation (May 2025) recorded an increase in the Asiatic Lion population to 891 individuals, with a growth of 32 per cent since 2020, Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of state in the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) told the Rajya Sabha.

Review of air pollution

The MoEFCC launched the National Clean Air Programme to improve air quality in 130 non-attainment cities and Million Plus Cities across 24 states/Union Territories (UTs) through implementation of national, state and city level clean air action plans.

Air quality performance assessment has been carried out for all 130 cities in the FY 2025-26. During 2025-26, 108 cities have recorded reductions in annual PM1...