President Droupadi Murmu graced the valedictory session of the International Conference on 'The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics' organized by the National Green Tribunal in New Delhi on September 20, 2026. In her address, the President emphasized that climate change creates imbalances across multiple levels of human existence, with serious repercussions on food security, health, and livelihoods, while being deeply intertwined with biodiversity loss, water stress, and land degradation.
The President outlined the need for a well-structured framework of policies and actions that ensures active participation of governments, legal experts, and communities most affected by climate change. She stressed special sensitivity toward rural and forest-dwelling societies, small farmers, women, and other vulnerable communities who bear the brunt of natural disasters. Murmu highlighted that traditional knowledge systems, practices, and lived experiences of local communities play a vital role in enhancing climate adaptation capacity.
She advocated for strengthening climate resilience through people-centric and community-based adaptation approaches rooted in traditional knowledge, noting that sustainable afforestation can play a significant role when it nurtures biodiversity and aligns with local conditions. The President clarified that the true objective of sustainable afforestation is not merely planting trees but restoring healthy and self-sustaining ecosystems.
Murmu emphasized that developing countries should chart a path that enhances resilience while maintaining development pace, with climate commitments aligning with development needs, economic aspirations, and technical feasibility. She commended India's work in fostering environmental awareness through the Government of India's 'Mission LiFE' initiative, which has demonstrated that meaningful strides toward ecological restoration can be achieved through public participation and community ownership.
The President appreciated the National Green Tribunal for bringing together experts, judges, jurists, and key stakeholders from various countries active in environmental issues, expressing confidence that the conference deliberations and action plans will contribute to building climate-resilient societies grounded in inclusive policies and effective actions.