NEW DELHI
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated an art exhibition titled, “Silent Conversation: From Margins to the Centre” in New Delhi on Friday. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Sankala Foundation, organised the exhibition to celebrate the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said: “Today, 70% of the world’s tiger population is found in India and the communities living around tiger reserves and national parks have an important contribution in this achievement.” She was happy to note that this exhibition was showcasing the relationship between the people living around tiger reserves and the forests and wildlife through artefacts. The artists were from all parts of India representing their culture with the use of different kinds of colours and canvas.
“Forest dwellers are the best practitioners of climate wisdom,” she said. In view of the serious problem of climate change, a holistic and collective effort is required. The President made the point that to save the environment and for humanity as well, “we have to learn from tribal communities”.
“Not only for environmental protection but also for the existence of humanity, we have to adopt the life values of the tribal communities. We have to learn from them how a prosperous and happy life is possible while living in harmony with nature,” the President said.
The President also said that “unchecked materialism, brute commercialism, and greedy opportunism have left us with an earth where all five elements of life are distressed and disturbed. Climate change has raised concerns about food and water security”.
She emphasized that there is a need to further strengthen our conservation, adaptation, and mitigation strategies by recognising that traditional and modern thinking need to be integrated. “We need to preserve, promote, and utilize indigenous knowledge. At the same time, we have to make sure that the vanguards of the forest force and its ablest sons and daughters are not deprived of their rights, rightful place, and recognition in society,” she said. “Preserve, promote, and utilize indigenous knowledge”, the President said.
“At the same time, we have to make sure that the vanguards of the forest force and its ablest sons and daughters are not deprived of their rights and recognition in society,” she added.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda, and Minister of State, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, were also present at the event. The art exhibition is being organised from 3-5 November at the India Habitat Centre.