India has improved its standing on the global environment performance index, ranking 123rd out of 165 nations. This marks a modest improvement of three positions from previous years, primarily driven by advancements in renewable energy. The United Nations Environment Programme's Executive Director, Achim Steiner, praised India’s investment in the green economy but urged Indian industry to elevate its environmental standards further.
Despite the progress, India still lags behind many nations, with Iceland topping the rankings and Sierra Leone at the bottom. The ranking reflects improvements in solar power generation and offshore wind energy. A recent report by Ernst & Young highlighted India as one of the top three countries, after China and the US, in renewable growth.
Public sentiment in India also reflects a growing desire for sustainable development. A Gallup survey indicated that a majority of Indians support the adoption of green economy norms, with 45% satisfied with environmental preservation efforts, though 38% are dissatisfied. Environmental concerns were found to be a greater priority than economic growth for most Indians.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, however, expressed concerns that India is not doing enough in research and development of renewable energy to regain its position as a global leader in this sector, as it was during the 1980s.
In another development, the four-horned antelope, an endangered species, was rediscovered in the Sariska Tiger Reserve after a gap of 11 years.