Forests are our lungs: Vice President Dhankhar urges youth to protect environment

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar visited the Forestry College in Sirsi, Karnataka, and called forests the lungs of the country. He praised the campus and spoke about the importance of protecting the environment. He said boys and girls must take responsibility for it.

Talking to students and faculty members, Dhankhar explained the role of forests in fighting climate change. He said forests are the biggest weapon in this fight. He said, “Forests are our lungs. If the forests of a country are in good condition, then the health of its people will be good, because forests are its lungs.”

He also said forests support livelihoods and are a lifeline for agriculture. He urged everyone to protect forests and do their part because climate change is a global challenge and threat. “The situation is alarmingly grave, and we have no other planet to live on except Mother Earth,” he added.

Forests बहुत महत्वपूर्ण हैं। Forest are our lungs, just as agriculture is our lifeline. #Forests regulate climate, buffer disasters, and support livelihoods, especially for the poor and marginalised.

We must pledge to protect forests.

We must contribute in every manner we… pic.twitter.com/YLo3XtHqtq

— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) May 5, 2025

Dhankhar spoke about India's civilisational wisdom. He said India is a land where spirituality and sustainability meet. He said sustainability is not just about the economy but also about healthy living. He pointed out that Vedic culture taught sustainability thousands of years ago. He said there is no alternative now to sustainable development and warned against the overuse of natural resources. He said we should take only what we need and be aware of the impact.

He stressed the importance of education in building a sustainable future. He said today no subject can stay separate. In the past, medical, engineering, management, environmental, and forest education were taught separately. But now, everything has become connected. He said we must take an inclusive approach to learning.

He praised the natural beauty of the institute. He said Sirsi is in the Western Ghats, one of the world’s richest areas in terms of biodiversity. He said this kind of environment changes what we think a classroom is. He said the classroom goes beyond four walls. It becomes an open classroom full of life. He said the Forestry College is lucky to be surrounded by such pure nature. He said the scene is special, and the atmosphere feels joyful and festive.

He called the boys and girls the future of India. He said they must protect the forests and the environment.

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