On June 5, World Environment Day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing critique of the Indian government's environmental policies, asserting that significant ecological degradation has occurred over the past decade. He claimed that nearly 1.91 lakh hectares of forest have been cleared since 2014, with over 1.6 crore trees destroyed, highlighting a stark contradiction between the government's public messaging and actual environmental practices. Kharge pointed to several major infrastructure and mining projects, such as the Great Nicobar project, which threatens around 10 lakh trees, and others in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, as examples of harmful ecological impact. He also accused the government of misleading the public regarding forest cover, arguing that the definition used conflates plantations with natural forests, masking the loss of biodiversity. Furthermore, Kharge criticized the weakening of environmental laws established since the 1970s, asserting that the current administration has prioritized development over ecological protection. He concluded by advocating for a vision of environmental stewardship that respects legal frameworks and fosters collaboration with local communities.