President Droupadi Murmu has said numerous natural disasters in recent times have made it clear that robust climate action is essential to mitigate climate impacts. Addressing the valedictory session of the conference on the Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics in New Delhi this evening, the President said the global scientific community is warning that climate risk has become very serious.
She stressed on the need to strengthen active cooperation among stakeholders at local, regional, and global levels to prevent and address the issue. The President said, climate change is also having serious repercussions on food security, health, and livelihoods. President Murmu said, it is well known that climate change is causing imbalances across various levels of human existence. She said, biodiversity loss, water stress and land degradation are examples of the imbalances. The President said that farm pods can be useful for the local community in the water-stress regions.
She said, a well-structured framework of policies and actions is essential to effectively address such a complex challenge. President Murmu said, the framework must ensure the active participation of not only governments and legal experts but also the communities most affected by climate change. She said, special sensitivity towards the needs of rural and forest-dwelling societies, small farmers, women, and other vulnerable communities is crucial, as they bear the brunt of natural disasters.
The President underlined that traditional knowledge systems, along with the practices and lived experiences of local communities, play a vital role in enhancing climate adaptation capacity. She stressed on strengthening climate resilience through people-centric and community-based adaptation approaches rooted in traditional knowledge. President Murmu stated that sustainable afforestation can also play a significant role in enhancing climate resilience. She said, afforestation efforts that nurture biodiversity and are aligned with local conditions can be instrumental in this regard. She added that the true objective of sustainable afforestation is not merely planting trees, but rather restoring healthy and self-sustaining ecosystems.
The President said that developing countries should chart a path that enhances resilience while maintaining the pace of development. She said, commitments to responsible climate action must align with the country’s development needs and economic aspirations. She added that they must also be technically feasible.
The President said that India has done commendable work in fostering environmental awareness by engaging common citizens, especially the youth. She said, the Government of India’s ‘Mission LiFE’ initiative has demonstrated that meaningful strides towards ecological restoration can be achieved through public participation and community ownership.
She said, the National Green Tribunal plays a pivotal role in environment-related legal matters. President Murmu said, the Tribunal has expeditiously resolved a vast number of disputes. She said, the tribunal has developed an effective compliance framework regarding rivers, air quality, and waste management in the country.
Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Development Manohar Lal, Judge in Supreme Court Justice B V Nagaratna, Chairman National Green Tribunal Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also addressed the valedictory session of the conference.
