President Murmu calls for community-led climate action in New Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the closing session of the International Conference on ‘The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics’ in New Delhi. Organized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the event brought together experts, jurists, and stakeholders from 17 countries to discuss climate resilience and environmental protection.

During her speech, President Murmu emphasized the importance of community-led climate action and adaptation strategies rooted in traditional knowledge. She highlighted that climate change causes imbalances in biodiversity, water security, and land quality, which in turn threaten food security, health, and livelihoods. She called for inclusive policies that specifically protect vulnerable groups, such as rural communities, forest dwellers, small farmers, and women.

Sharing a personal anecdote, the President spoke of her childhood, recalling how her father would show respect to nature by bowing before collecting dry wood from the forest or before plowing fields. She used this to illustrate the deep-seated connection between humans and the environment in Indian culture, advocating for a lifestyle of gratitude and responsibility toward the natural world to ensure its preservation for future generations.