Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 19: Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat on Thursday called upon environmental experts to accord equal importance to agriculture and the rural economy while addressing global environmental challenges.

Speaking at the valedictory session of Mumbai Climate Week held in Mumbai, the Governor congratulated the organisers for convening a three-day conference that brought together experts from India and abroad to deliberate on the pressing issue of climate change.

He emphasised that environmental sustainability must go hand in hand with strengthening agriculture and rural livelihoods, noting that a large section of the population depends on these sectors.

Referring to the COVID-19 lockdown period, the Governor observed that when people largely remained indoors, rivers turned cleaner and skies clearer. The temporary environmental recovery, he said, highlighted the significant impact of human activity on ecological degradation.

Devvrat urged policymakers, researchers and stakeholders to adopt balanced and sustainable approaches that protect the environment while ensuring economic stability for rural communities.