India, March 11 -- India has made significant strides in climate protection with a "whole-of-Government" approach adopted by the Narendra Modi-led Government, Union minister Bhupender Yadav said, asserting that the number of protected areas and wildlife reserves has increased substantially since 2014.

Replying to a debate on the working of his ministry in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that the number of protected areas in the country has increased from 757 in 2014 to 1,134 in 2026. The total protected area has expanded from 1,68,838.37 sq km to 1,87,162.91 sq km, Yadav said.

Highlighting conservation efforts, he said the number of tiger reserves has increased from 47 in 2014 to 58 now, elep...