New Delhi: Bhupender Yadav officially took charge as the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on June 11, 2024, marking a significant moment in the government’s environmental agenda.
Upon his arrival at Paryavaran Bhawan, Yadav was warmly greeted by Secretary Leena Nandan and other senior officials of the ministry. Accompanying him, Kirtivardhan Singh also assumed the role of Minister of State.
Addressing the media after assuming office, Yadav expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting him with this crucial responsibility. He pledged his commitment to discharge his duties effectively and welcomed Singh, emphasizing the collaborative effort ahead.
Yadav highlighted the government’s strides in environmental stewardship over the past decade under PM Modi’s leadership, emphasizing the imperative of balancing environmental conservation with sustainable development. He underscored the significance of initiatives like Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which aims to foster climate-positive behaviors and promote mindful consumption.
Globally, Yadav noted, there exists an environmental crisis, with the Prime Minister’s announcement of Mission LiFE at the Glasgow Climate Conference 2021 serving as a pivotal step towards addressing these challenges. Mission LiFE seeks to mobilize individuals towards eco-friendly, self-sustainable behaviors, aligning with the ethos of mindful consumption.
The Minister emphasized the government’s belief in the coexistence of environmental conservation and development, citing PM Modi’s “एक पेड़ माँ के नाम” (One Tree, Mother’s Name) plantation initiative as a testament to this commitment. Launched on World Environment Day 2024, this initiative aims to combat global warming, desertification, and biodiversity loss, urging citizens to participate actively in tree plantation drives.