PM dedicates UN award to ‘invisible’ conservation heroes
Says honour belong to tribals, fishermen, farmers
NEWDELHI: Climate and calamity are directly linked to culture, and it will be difficult to avoid calamity as long as concerns for the climate do not become part of the local culture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday after he was conferred the United Nations’ Champions of the Earth’ award.
Modi dedicated the award to the “invisible faces of India who contribute to conservation of nature.”
He said the honour belonged to tribal forest dwellers who play an important role in forest conservation, fishermen who abstain from fishing during the breeding season, and farmers who are dependent on the seasonal weather cycle for their livelihood.
The Indian prime minister has been recognised for his work in championing the International Solar Alliance, a global coalition of countries committed to harnessing solar energy, “and promoting new areas of levels of cooperation on envi- ronmental action”.
He shares the award with President Emmanuel Macron of France.
Modi, who was also recognised for his extensive efforts to beat ‘plastic pollution’ — including an ambitious pledge to eliminate all single-use plastic in the country by 2022 — said environmental conservation was part of India’s value system.
“Climate and calamity are directly related to culture. If climate protection is not part of culture, it’s difficult to prevent climate-induced calamities. In India we wake up and ask Mother Earth to forgive us because we are putting our weight on her. Conservation and nature are a part of our festivals and folklore,” Modi said.