New Delhi — President Droupadi Murmu delivered a strong message on environmental consciousness, urging the citizens of India to reflect deeply on the ecological legacy being passed down to future generations. Inaugurating the two-day National Conference on ‘Environment – 2025’ organised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the national capital, the President highlighted the moral duty every individual bears in ensuring a sustainable and healthy environment for children.
While speaking to a gathering of environmental experts, policymakers, judges, and civil society stakeholders, President Murmu drew attention to the rapidly deteriorating state of natural resources. She pressed the audience to ponder what kind of air children will inhale in the future, the quality of water they will have access to, and whether they will be able to enjoy the serenity of green forests or the songs of birds as previous generations once did.
“The concerns we have about our children’s education and career paths are certainly valid,” she stated. “But we must also seriously consider the condition of the environment they will inherit. What kind of air will they breathe? Will they have access to clean drinking water? Will they witness the beauty of nature as we did?”
The President’s speech carried a note of urgency and ethical appeal. She remarked that while environmental issues have economic, social, and scientific dimensions, they also possess a deeply moral aspect that can no longer be overlooked.
“It is our moral obligation to leave behind a clean and healthy environment for the generations to come,” she asserted. “This calls for a shift in our lifestyle—one that is both environmentally conscious and sustainable.”
Environment and Development: A Complex Balance
President Murmu acknowledged the dual challenge of pursuing modern development while preserving ecological balance. “Maintaining this balance is not merely a necessity—it is also an opportunity,” she said, adding that the path forward demands innovation, commitment, and a reevaluation of our daily choices.
She further underlined India’s ancient environmental ethos, stating that Indian culture has long revered nature as a maternal force. “Our tradition emphasizes nourishment over exploitation, protection over destruction. We must keep this heritage alive in our approach to development,” she said.
President Murmu also made note of India’s progress over the past decade in meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under international climate accords. These achievements, she stressed, are not just policy wins but concrete steps in demonstrating India’s commitment to global environmental responsibility.
National Green Tribunal’s Role in Environmental Jurisprudence
Lauding the role of the National Green Tribunal, the President said that its landmark judgments have not only safeguarded the natural environment but also enhanced public health and quality of life. “The NGT has emerged as a crucial institution in promoting environmental justice,” she remarked.
She encouraged institutions engaged in environmental management to strengthen their coordination, and she urged citizens to actively participate in efforts aimed at environmental protection and promotion. “A participatory approach is essential if we are to see any real transformation,” she said.
President Murmu emphasized that environmental preservation is not the responsibility of institutions alone. Rather, it is a collective mission that demands involvement at every level—individual, community, institutional, and governmental.
India’s Role in Global Environmental Leadership
Highlighting India’s active role in global environmental diplomacy, President Murmu reiterated the importance of adopting eco-friendly policies and practices worldwide. “The entire global community must walk the path of environmental sustainability. It is not merely a national goal; it is a global necessity,” she asserted.
She stated that India’s aim to become a developed nation by 2047 must be intertwined with ecological goals. “A developed India is one where the air is clean, the water is pure, the greenery is abundant, and economic growth goes hand-in-hand with environmental sustainability,” she explained.
President Murmu’s address comes at a crucial juncture as climate change continues to pose grave threats to health, biodiversity, agriculture, and overall human well-being. Her message aligns with India’s broader vision of ‘LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment), a global movement launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote sustainable living.
National Conference ‘Environment – 2025’: Shaping the Policy Agenda
The National Conference on ‘Environment – 2025’ is being viewed as a pivotal gathering to evaluate current environmental challenges and chalk out a forward-looking action plan. Organised by the National Green Tribunal, the conference serves as a forum for judges, scientists, environmentalists, urban planners, administrators, and grassroots organisations to come together and debate, deliberate, and draft key policy recommendations.
Throughout the two-day event, panel discussions and technical sessions are expected to address a wide array of pressing concerns such as air pollution, water conservation, waste management, forest conservation, and climate adaptation strategies. The outcomes of these discussions will likely form the basis for environmental policy inputs over the coming years.
There is a particular focus on institutional capacity-building, technological innovation, and public awareness campaigns aimed at empowering local bodies and communities to tackle environmental degradation more effectively.
A Call to Action for the Future
President Murmu’s keynote address was more than a ceremonial gesture; it was a call to collective conscience, urging Indians to think beyond short-term development goals and commit to a long-term vision of ecological well-being.
She reminded the gathering that India, with its vast ecological heritage and knowledge systems, can lead by example. “Let us not forget that our strength lies in our ability to harmonise growth with sustainability. This is not just about India’s future—it is about the planet’s future.”
Her remarks were met with nods of agreement across the hall, as many in attendance acknowledged the need for a stronger integration between environmental policy and developmental strategy.
As the conference progresses, all eyes are on the actionable recommendations it will generate—particularly in the context of the upcoming general elections and shifting policy priorities. There is a growing consensus among experts that India’s environmental roadmap must become a central pillar of its national development narrative.
President Murmu’s speech served as a crucial reminder that the burden of responsibility does not lie solely with governments or institutions. The responsibility is shared by every citizen, every community, and every stakeholder who benefits from nature’s bounty.
President Droupadi Murmu’s appeal to adopt an environmentally responsible lifestyle and her call for a moral commitment to future generations underscores the urgent need for a paradigm shift in how development and sustainability are pursued in India. As the nation advances toward its goal of becoming a developed country by 2047, embedding environmental ethics into everyday choices will be critical. The National Green Tribunal’s conference may serve as a catalyst in redefining policy frameworks, but it is the collective action of citizens that will ultimately determine the fate of the country’s ecological future.
