World Environment Day 2025 | On May 31, a National memorial seminar was organised to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Ji’s historic lecture on Ekatma Manavdarshan. The event was held at the NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi on the theme ‘Sustainable Development: Prosperity with Ethos.
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav while addressing the gathering, stated, “Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Ji, in the 1960s had emphasised the need to integrate development with the conservation of nature. His philosophy of Ekatma Manavdarshan is a vision of oneness between human life and the entire creation. This very sentiment is embedded in the prayer Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah.”
Elaborating on global civilisational models, he said, “In today’s most advanced energy-based civilisation, two types of philosophies exists, the Western thought is anthropocentric, which believes that everything created by God is meant solely for human beings and for their consumption. Hence, humans are free to exploit the Earth as they wish, with no restrictions. In contrast, Eastern philosophy is rooted in the sentiment of Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah not just human happiness, but universal well-being. When we conclude our prayers with ‘Shanti’, we also invoke Vanaspati Shanti peace for trees, plants, and all vegetation. This is the essence of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the idea that the entire world and earth is like one family. This idea is deeply rooted in Bhartiya tradition. In Japanese, there is a beautiful word: Aishobani, which means ‘oneness with nature’. From the self (Swa) to the universe (Jagat), the feeling of ekatmata—oneness—is the foundation of Ekatma Manavdarshan.”
“While Quoting from Volume 7 of Pandit Deendayal Ji’s works, he said, “We must not forget the dignity (maryada) of nature. Though production is dependent on resources, if we blindly pursue production without restraint, how long will natural resources last? Some justify this by claiming that if one resource is exhausted, another will be found, or substitutes will be invented. But even after accepting this logic, one must acknowledge that despite nature’s abundance, it has limitations. If we continue to consume recklessly and unnecessarily, a day of regret will surely come.”
He added that what Deendayal Ji conveyed decades ago is what the world today defines as inclusive and sustainable development.
“In the Western world, after 150 years of anthropocentric development, a realisation emerged that this model cannot address all global challenges. Hence, they transitioned to biocentric development”, he said.
In the 1960s, similar to the thoughts of Deendayal Ji, Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess proposed the concept of deep ecology, which emphasised deep spiritual connection with Earth. This aligns with what Bharat and other Eastern traditions had always advocated, that humans must relate with Earth in oneness.”
This movement led to global events like the Stockholm Convention (1975), followed by conferences under the UN such as, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
UNFCCC warns that rapid production and energy consumption increase carbon emissions, which may raise Earth’s temperature by 2°C by the end of this century, causing droughts and disasters. UNCCD highlights land degradation due to overuse of pesticides and human activities. CBD stresses that continued loss of biodiversity will create imbalance on the planet, Bhupender Yadav informed.
“The world now discusses what Deendayal Ji envisioned decades ago that is wise and restrained use of natural resources. Countries have now set individual goals for energy production, carbon emissions, and biodiversity conservation,” he said.
Mentioning the 2015 Paris Agreement, he highlighted, “The agreement mentions the importance of ‘ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems including oceans, and the protection of biodiversity, recognised by some cultures as Mother Earth’. This reflects a global recognition of cultures that revere the Earth as Matrubhoomi, which is in essence Ekatma Manavdarshan.”
“India presented eight NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) in 2015, three quantitative and five qualitative: To reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 33% compared to 2005 levels, To increase the share of non-fossil energy to 40% of total capacity.
Despite being a developing nation with a vast population, India is the only G20 country to have achieved its 2030 goals nine years in advance, he informed.
He also informed that in 2014, India had 25 Ramsar sites. As of 2025, we now have 89 Ramsar sites. Similarly, Tiger reserves have grown from 47 in 2014 to 58 today.”
Notably in 2021, Prime Minister Modi introduced Mission LiFE: Lifestyle for Environment. It calls for an eco-conscious lifestyle at an individual level.
Quoting from Volume 12 of Deendayal Ji’s writings, he said, ‘Even if one does not consider the dignity of nature’s wealth, one must at least accept that there is a cyclical relationship between elements of nature. Today’s economy and production models are rapidly disturbing this equilibrium. While we search for new means to fulfil new desires, we are simultaneously creating threats to human civilisation itself. Plucking fruits from a tree does not harm it, but excessive use of chemical fertilisers on land eventually destroys its fertility.’
This is the core message of Mission LiFE—that our personal conduct and lifestyle should cause the least harm to nature.
The theme for World Environment Day 2025 is “Beat Plastic Pollution.” According to the official UNEP campaign site, “Plastic pollution permeates every corner of the planet—even in our bodies in the form of microplastics. World Environment Day 2025 calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution.”
