President Emphasizes Nature Connection and Environmental Conservation

President Droupadi Murmu expressed her deep connection with nature, stating, “There are places that bring us in closer touch with the essence of life and remind us that we are part of nature. Mountains, forests, rivers, and seashores appeal to something deep within us.” She shared her meditative experience walking along the seashore, feeling a profound inner peace similar to her spiritual experience at the darshan of Mahaprabhu Jagannathji.

Murmu highlighted the disconnection from nature in our daily lives, noting, “Humankind believes it has mastered nature and is exploiting it for its short-term benefits.” She pointed out the consequences, such as the severe heatwaves in India and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events globally, exacerbated by climate change.

The President emphasized the critical role of oceans, which cover over seventy percent of the Earth’s surface, in global warming and rising sea levels. She called attention to the pollution harming marine life and the traditions of coastal inhabitants who revere the sea, saying, “Following our ancestors, they worship the sea as God.”

Murmu advocated for both governmental and individual efforts in environmental conservation, stating, “There are two ways to meet the challenge of protection and conservation of the environment; broader steps that can come from governments and international organizations, and smaller, local steps that we can take as citizens.” She urged everyone to pledge personal actions for a sustainable future, underscoring our responsibility to future generations.