CM cites Sanatan traditions to emphasise environ conservation

Time of India

22-05-2025

Lucknow: Underscoring the importance of collective responsibility and public participation in environmental conservation, Chief Minister
on Thursday urged the people to live in harmony with nature, drawing upon India's Vedic philosophy and Sanatan traditions, which underscore the deep cultural reverence for the environment.
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Inaugurating the national seminar–2025 on International Biodiversity Day, the CM highlighted the theme 'Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development' and said that safeguarding the environment is a shared duty and not of the govt alone.
He cited the Vedic Shanti Path, saying every auspicious ritual in Sanatan Dharma begins with prayers for the well-being of the earth, water, sky and all living beings, underscoring humanity's deep-rooted connection with nature and biodiversity.
Citing Atharva Veda, he referred to a verse that reveres the earth as a mother and humans as her children, bound by duty to protect her. Reaffirming India's global commitment to biodiversity conservation, an issue that gained international attention in 1992, CM Yogi emphasised that achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2070 requires active participation from every individual, as resolved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Govt efforts alone are not enough... Sustainable development will only be possible when society works harmoniously with nature," he said. Reflecting on India's self-reliant rural traditions, the CM recalled how villages once had barns, pasture lands, ponds and compost pits, all contributing significantly to environmental sustainability. Solid waste was turned into compost, ponds ensured hygiene, and pasture lands supported livestock.
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However, these time-tested practices were neglected in pursuing modernity, leading to ecological imbalance and the rise of disease. He warned that practices like converting ponds into drainage outlets and encroaching on pasture lands are short-sighted and self-destructive.
Highlighting Uttar Pradesh's commitment to environmental protection, the chief minister said that the State Biodiversity Board is spearheading new campaigns to realise the vision of 'Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development'.
Over the past eight years, the forest department has significantly expanded the state's green cover by planting over 210 crore trees.
He further noted that under the Namami Gange initiative, substantial progress was made in restoring the cleanliness and uninterrupted flow of the Ganga, especially in Kanpur, once considered one of the most polluted stretches. He said, "Today, the Ganga flows clean and vibrant in that region, reflecting the success of these focused efforts".
Yogi also stressed the importance of traditional knowledge and local customs in biodiversity conservation. He referred to Sanatan Dharma, where flora and fauna are deeply integrated with spiritual beliefs, trees like peepal, banyan, and jamun are revered, and animals are considered sacred. Recalling age-old practices, he mentioned how, in earlier times, even ants were not harmed but gently removed by offering flour and sugar, an example of coexistence and ecological compassion.
The CM said that excessive mechanisation, whether in drainage systems or industrial processes, is detrimental to the environment. He advocated a return to natural and indigenous methods, such as traditional water purification systems once prevalent in rural areas.
He raised concerns over the declining population of ecologically significant species like the Jatayu, which once played a vital role in nature's purification cycle.
Harmful side-effects of chemical fertilisers and pharmaceutical residues brought such species to extinction. Calling for a collective awakening, he said that biodiversity conservation must become a 'Jan Andolan'.
CM honours environ efforts
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited a biodiversity-themed exhibition during the seminar, engaging directly with stall owners to learn about their showcased products. He released the Green Budget and a Biodiversity booklet, recognizing efforts toward environmental conservation. He also honoured students who demonstrated talent and environmental awareness by awarding winners of painting, essay, and debate competitions.
Furthermore, he provided Rs 10,000 incentives to individuals recognized for their outstanding contributions to carbon credit initiatives and presented certificates of appreciation to NGO-affiliated farmers.