National 22 September 2026
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav Inaugurates WWF Global Conservation Conference in Jaipur
Why in the News?
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Global Conservation Conference on September 21, 2026, in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Key Features / Major Points:
Call for Coexistence: Addressing delegates from over 100 countries, the Minister emphasized global action on wildlife conservation and coexistence by actively involving local communities.
Expansion of Protected Areas: Over the past decade, India's Protected Areas grew from ~750 to over 1,000.
Conservation Achievements:
Tiger Reserves: Increased from 47 to 58
Elephant Reserves: Increased from 30 to 33
Ramsar Sites: Expanded from 24 to 101
Flagship Species Success: Highlighted the successful reintroduction of Cheetahs, captive breeding of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) in Rajasthan, and community-led conservation of 'Oran' sacred groves.
Global Commitments: Reaffirmed India’s constitutional and legal commitment to wildlife protection as a state duty and citizen obligation, alongside active membership in international conventions like CITES, CMS, CBD, and the Ramsar Convention.
Static GK Facts:
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF): Founded in 1961; Headquarters located in Gland, Switzerland. Known by its Giant Panda logo.
Ramsar Convention: An international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.
Great Indian Bustard (GIB): The state bird of Rajasthan, classified as 'Critically Endangered' on the IUCN Red List.
Orans: Traditional community-conserved sacred groves in Rajasthan that play a vital role in curbing land degradation and preserving biodiversity.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: Where was the WWF Global Conservation Conference held in September 2026?
A: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Q: What is the current count of Ramsar Sites and Tiger Reserves in India as per recent disclosures?
A: 101 Ramsar Sites and 58 Tiger Reserves
Q: What are the community-led sacred groves in Rajasthan called that contribute to biodiversity conservation?
A: Orans