Society must join govt in environmental protection: Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday emphasised on collective responsibility and participation for environmental protection and said that it is not only the responsibility of the government, but is the result of collective efforts of every section of the society.

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While inaugurating the National Seminar-2025 organised at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, the CM mentioned the Vedic philosophy and Sanatan traditions of India which underscore the deep cultural reverence for the environment.

Citing the Vedic Shanti Path, he said that every auspicious ritual in Sanatan Dharma begins with prayers for the well-being of the earth, water, sky and all living beings. He said that these traditions underscore humanity's deep-rooted connection with nature and biodiversity.

Citing the Atharva Veda, Yogi 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, he Yogi said that achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2070 requires active participation from every individual, as resolved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Government 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.