New Delhi, Sep 20 : President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday called for strengthening climate resilience through people-centric and community-based adaptation approaches rooted in traditional knowledge.
Addressing the valedictory session of the International Conference on ‘The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics’, organised by the National Green Tribunal in New Delhi, Murmu said climate change has created imbalances across various aspects of human life, with biodiversity loss, water stress and land degradation closely linked to the changing climate.
She said climate change is also having serious implications for food security, health and livelihoods, stressing the need for a well-structured policy framework to address the complex challenge.
The President said climate action should involve not only governments and legal experts but also communities directly affected by climate change.
She emphasised the need for greater sensitivity towards rural and forest-dwelling communities, small farmers, women and other vulnerable sections that are often disproportionately affected by natural disasters.
“We must strengthen climate resilience through people-centric and community-based adaptation approaches rooted in traditional knowledge,” Murmu said.
She underlined the importance of traditional knowledge systems and the lived experiences of local communities in enhancing climate adaptation capacity.
Murmu also highlighted the role of sustainable afforestation in strengthening climate resilience, saying afforestation should promote biodiversity and be aligned with local ecological conditions.
The President said the objective of sustainable afforestation should go beyond merely planting trees and focus on restoring healthy and self-sustaining ecosystems.
She said developing countries need to pursue a path that strengthens resilience while maintaining the pace of development.
Climate commitments, she said, should remain aligned with the country’s development needs and economic aspirations while being technically feasible.
Murmu also highlighted India’s efforts to promote environmental awareness among citizens, particularly the youth.
She said the government’s Mission LiFE initiative has demonstrated how public participation and community ownership can contribute to ecological restoration.
The President appreciated the National Green Tribunal for bringing experts, judges, jurists and other stakeholders from different countries onto a common platform to deliberate on environmental issues.
She expressed confidence that the deliberations and action plans emerging from the conference would contribute to building climate-resilient societies based on inclusive policies and effective action.(KNS)
