PM Modi on World Environment Day: India Focusing on Environment in a Big Way

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while speaking during the World Environment Day event on Monday, said that India is focusing on environment in a big way just like any other area for its growth.

He said that on one hand if India has expanded its 4G/5G network, it has also enhanced its forest cover.

"India is focusing on environment in a big way just like any other area for its growth," PM Modi said.

PM Modi also said that, while maintaining a balance between present requirements and future vision, India is moving ahead with a clear roadmap for environment protection and climate change.

"The theme of this year's World Environment Day is to get rid of single-use plastic, an issue about which the world is talking today but India has been working on it consistently for the last four-five years, PM Modi reportedly said.

"In 2018 itself, India started working at two levels for getting rid of single-use plastic. On one hand, we banned single-use plastic and on the other hand we made the plastic waste processing mandatory," he added.

On India’s focussing on environment in a big way, PM Modi said, "On the one hand, we have provided help to the poor and on the other hand we have also taken major steps keeping in mind the fuel requirements of the future.”

India has focussed a lot on 'green and clean energy', in the past nine years Modi said.

On the occasion of World Environment Day last year, PM Modi called for lifestyles that are in tune with the planet and does not cause harm to it and termed those with such a lifestyle as "pro-planet people". He stressed that sustainable development requires human-centric, combined efforts and tough actions, which are the 'need of the hour'.

Launching the Global Initiative Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Movement PM Modi said, "Today's occasion and the date of the occasion, both are very relevant. We begin the LiFE- Lifestyle For Environment Movement. This year's World Environment Day with the theme of Only One Earth encourages living sustainably in harmony with nature. The seriousness and the solution are beautifully covered in these phrases.”

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for those who supported the LiFE movement. "At the Cop26, last year, I prospered for mission LiFE - Lifestyle For Environment Movement. I am grateful that the resolution of the LiFE Movement is being realised today. My gratitude for such record support," he said.

PM Modi reiterated that the Mission LiFE borrows from the past, operates in the present and focuses on the future, saying, "As the name suggests, LiFE, it is an individual and collective duty to do whatever we can for a better planet. It is a way of living a life that is in tune with the planet and does not harm it.”

He underlined the role of tradition in providing simple and sustainable solutions to environmental problems.

"The secret behind the earth's long life is the harmony how our ancestors maintained with nature. When it comes to tradition almost parts of the world have a tradition that shows simple and sustainable solutions to environmental problems. Our Gods and Goddess have plants and wildlife integrated in their lives. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the concepts woven in our lives. Circular economy has traditionally been part of Indian lifestyle," he added.

He expressed his thanks to the people engaged in doing good things for the environment in the country, including the efforts leading to rise in the number of rhinos. "Thanks to our 1.3 billion Indians, we have been able to do many good things for the environment in our country. Our forest cover is increasing and so is the population of lions, tigers, leopards, elephants and rhinos," he said.

40 per cent of installed electric capacity from fuel sources that are non-fossil based has been achieved, the Prime Minister said, fulfilling India's commitment years ahead of schedule.

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