Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today inaugurated World Sustainable Development Summit 2019, organized by The Energy and Resources Institute – TERI.
He expressed concern over the impact of climate change on developing countries and called upon all nations to collaborate and cooperate in an equally unparalleled manner to ensure sustainable development.
“Climate change and global warming threaten lives and livelihoods of billions and upsets the delicate balance of nature. It is in its recognition that India is trying its best to include the paradigm of sustainability and environmental conservation in all its development endeavours,” he said.
The vice-president also emphasised on the importance of sustainable agriculture as a part of sustainable development and said more efficient systems of irrigation with “more crop per drop” mantra should be used.
“There is a need to make use of the endless possibilities of biotechnology and nano-technology to develop a range of green products, including nano-fertilisers.
“We should move towards more efficient systems of irrigation with ‘more crop per drop’ as our mantra. Greater thrust has to be placed on organic farming and on the use of natural means of pest control,” he said.
Naidu, while kick-starting the summit, said sustainable development is inclusive development which includes sustainable agriculture, sustainable mobility solutions, urbanisation, energy security and clean energy, waste management and efforts in wildlife conservation.
The summit themed ‘Attaining the 2030 Agenda: delivering on our promise’ has been organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) at the India Habitat Centre, Delhi, from February 11 to 13.
“Sustainable development is a common goal for all world nations, given the unprecedented scale of environmental degradation and its drastic consequences that we have been witnessing,” the vice-president said.
Addressing the summit, Naidu said India’s traditional practices reflected a sustainable lifestyle and the Vedic philosophy of India always emphasized the undeniable connection that human beings share with nature.
The vice-president said every individual must contribute to sustainable development either by turning the ignition off at long traffic stops or by recycling and composting or by cycling to work in congested cities.
“India has set a target of raising its existing 21.54 per cent forest cover to 33 per cent of the total geographical area through aggressive forestation drives,” he said.