At the Bangalore Sustainability Summit held on Tuesday, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot called for urgent and unified efforts to protect the environment, stressing that the time for action is now. Speaking at the event themed “Advancing Sustainable Development Goals: Enhancing the Impact of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships,” jointly organised by O.P. Jindal Global University and RV University, the Governor urged a lifestyle rooted in simplicity, nature, and reverence for forests.
“We must awaken a renewed consciousness—rooted in love and respect for nature,” Gehlot said, highlighting the dangers posed by rising pollution and depleting natural resources. He noted that recent challenges, such as the oxygen crisis, have only underscored the pressing need for environmental preservation.
Gehlot praised India’s national commitment to sustainable development through initiatives like Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Digital India, and the National Health Mission. He pointed out that states are instrumental in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and acknowledged the role of local schemes in supporting this national vision.
Turning his focus to Bengaluru, the Governor described the city as both a centre of innovation and a region struggling with rapid urbanisation, climate pressures, and resource strain. He commended the summit’s emphasis on collaboration and knowledge sharing to overcome these challenges.
The Governor also applauded the role of Indian universities in championing environmental sustainability. Highlighting the achievements of one of the host institutions, he cited its recent Gold Medal in the Times Higher Education Online Learning Rankings and its top position in the Ministry of Education’s Clean Campus Ranking.
Governor Gehlot credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in spearheading campaigns like Clean Air, Save Water, and Green Cities to boost environmental awareness across the country.
He concluded his address with a passionate call to action: “We must collectively embrace our responsibility to safeguard the environment. Only through unified action can we ensure a clean, healthy planet for future generations.”