Bengaluru
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Ishwara Khandre asserted that sustainable development is to achieve development while preserving nature and environment.
Speaking at the Sustainable Development Summit, Â Â while releasing the Bengaluru Declaration, he said that the human race can survive only when nature and environment and forests remain. So we called you all to be the protectors of the planet.
Known as the Silicon Valley of India, Bengaluru is not only a hub of technological innovation but also a leader in the pursuit of sustainable development. He said that the businessmen of Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, should work to find solutions to the challenges the world is facing today.
This summit must ensure that Earth is the only planet where all life can live and promises a sustainable future for all its inhabitants. Due to urbanisation, traffic congestion, pollution, today there are problems of availability of clean air and clean water. The theme of this summit is Leadership for Sustainable Development, and the need for visionary leadership should be advocated, he said.
More emphasis should be given to clean energy to reduce carbon emissions. Innovative technology should be used for sustainable development. Good practices should also be adopted in agriculture, energy and health care sectors. He said that the concept of sustainable development should be created at the level of education itself.
He said that people’s participation is necessary to achieve sustainable development goals. He suggested that the summit should focus on discussing the immediate need to protect and restore biodiversity.
The summit was attended by Javed Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Forests, Ecology and Environment, Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary, retired Chief Secretary A Ravindra and others participated
