Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday emphasised humanity’s deep bond with nature, saying that humanity’s survival is linked to the well-being of all living beings.
“If they thrive, we thrive; if they are in danger, so is our existence,” the chief minister said while inaugurating the Climate Conference on faith and climate change at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh on Sunday.
Urging immediate action, he said, “We must not wait for a catastrophe but work towards a greener earth now. This is also Kumbh’s message.”
Chief Minister Yogi stressed on integrating environmental consciousness with faith and taking concrete steps to address climate change. He also highlighted that safeguarding nature and wildlife is essential to protecting human civilisation.
During the event, the chief minister expressed his sorrow over the recent tragedy in Delhi and paid tribute to the departed souls.
Discussing climate responsibility in daily life, Chief Minister Yogi pointed out behavioural patterns at Maha Kumbh, where aerial surveys showed empty parking spaces while visitors parked on roads, causing congestion.
He urged people to use designated parking areas, even if walking a little further, to ensure smoother movement and a better experience at the holy site. He called for collective responsibility in tackling climate change, urging attendees to implement sustainable practices daily as part of the Maha Kumbh ethos.
Chief Minister Yogi stated that between January 13 and February 16, a record 52 crore devotees took a holy dip in the sacred confluence of the holy Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. He emphasised that this is possible only due to the uninterrupted flow of water in these rivers, a divine blessing.
He said, “Each devotee who bathes here experiences spiritual energy and shares this sacred connection in their villages, inspiring more people to participate and elevating the event to unprecedented success.”
Addressing environmental concerns, Chief Minister Yogi stressed that climate change is the root cause of carbon emissions and environmental pollution. He likened rivers to the arteries of Mother Earth, cautioning that just as a body cannot survive if its arteries dry up, a polluted or drying river system threatens the planet’s lifeline.
The government has taken proactive measures to combat ecological challenges and banned single-use plastic to protect the environment. Besides, 210 crore saplings have been planted in Uttar Pradesh over the past eight years, with 70-80 per cent survival rates for trees planted by the Forest Department and 60-70 per cent for those grown by other organisations, he pointed out.
The government also promotes electric buses over diesel-powered vehicles through dedicated policies and expansion programmes. Furthermore, dying rivers are being revived to restore natural water flow, the chief minister informed the gathering.
He also highlighted the transformation of the Sangam area, where crores of devotees can take a holy dip daily, something previously seen only on Mauni Amavasya.
He added, “The channelisation of rivers and expansion of the Sangam area have ensured a steady flow of 10,000 to 11,000 cusecs of water, making this grand spiritual event even more accessible and sustainable.”
Chief Minister Yogi emphasised that while the government is making continuous efforts, public participation is equally crucial in protecting the environment. He urged people to reflect on their contributions, eliminating plastic from daily lives, stopping encroachments on rivers, preventing pollution and showing compassion towards wildlife.
He stressed that as humans have a life cycle, so does Mother Earth. “Their survival is interconnected. Only by preserving both can the universe thrive,” he said.
Encouraging collective action, Chief Minister Yogi suggested a simple yet meaningful step: planting a tree in honour of one’s mother and another as an offering of faith.
On this occasion, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, head of Paramarth Ashram Swami Chidanand Saraswati Muni, Jagadguru Swami Mukundanand, Forest and Environment Minister Dr Arun Kumar Saxena and Minister of State KP Malik along with MLAs and officials were present.