destruction-of-forests-is-destruction-of-humanity-president-murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday highlighting the importance of trees cites that the destruction of forests is in a way the destruction of humanity. 

 

Addressing the trainee officers of the Indian Forest Service (2022 batch) during their convocation ceremony at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, the President stated, "Unsustainable exploitation of resources has brought humanity to a point where the standards of development have to be re-evaluated." 

 

She mentioned the Anthropocene Age, which is the period of human-centric development, and said "We are not owners but trustees of the earth’s resources" and hence our priorities should be human-centric as well as nature-centric. 

 

"Our priorities should be ecocentric along with anthropocentric. Only by being ecocentric, we will be able to be truly anthropocentric," she said.

 

The president expressed concern over the rapid loss of forest resources in many parts of the world saying, “Destruction of forests is - in a way - destruction of humanity. It is a well-known fact that conservation of earth's biodiversity and natural beauty is a very important task which we have to do very quickly.” 

 

The president said that human life can be saved from crisis through conservation and promotion of forests and wildlife.   

 

"We can repair the damage at a faster pace with the help of science and technology. For example, the Miyawaki method is being adopted in many places. Artificial intelligence (AI) can help in identifying suitable areas for afforestation and area-specific tree species," President Murmu said. 

 

She stressed the necessity of evaluating various options and creating solutions appropriate to India's geographical conditions. 

 

Reflecting on the mass hunting of wild animals during the British era, the president mentioned that when she visits museums displaying animal skins or severed heads, it feels as if those exhibits narrate the tale of the decline of human civilization. 

 

She stated that IFS officers are tasked not only with conserving and enhancing India's natural resources but also utilizing traditional knowledge for the benefit of humanity.