The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, addressed the closing session of an international conference on environment and climate change organised by the National Green Tribunal in New Delhi on September 20, 2026. Her remarks highlighted how climate impacts stretch across food production, health and livelihoods, and called for solutions that involve affected communities, not just governments.
What the President said
The President stressed that tackling climate change requires a structured policy framework involving governments, legal experts and—crucially—the communities most harmed by climate impacts. She emphasised that rural populations, forest-dwelling communities, small farmers, women and other vulnerable groups face the worst effects of natural disasters and climate shifts.
The President pointed to traditional knowledge and local practices as essential tools for building climate resilience. She argued that community-based adaptation approaches rooted in this knowledge are more effective than top-down solutions alone.
On afforestation, she noted that planting trees matters less than the larger goal of restoring functioning ecosystems that can sustain themselves. Such efforts work best when tailored to local conditions and designed to protect biodiversity.
The President also addressed developing nations directly, saying they should pursue climate action that strengthens resilience while supporting economic growth and development needs. She highlighted India’s Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative as an example of how public participation and community ownership can drive environmental restoration.
She acknowledged the National Green Tribunal for assembling experts, judges and environmental professionals from multiple countries to discuss these issues together.
What this means for you
If you work in agriculture, forestry or community development, this signals that government policy will increasingly value traditional practices and local knowledge in climate action. If you are involved in environmental law or policy, the emphasis on inclusive, community-based solutions suggests a shift toward involving ordinary citizens and affected groups more directly in climate decisions, rather than leaving such matters to experts and officials alone.