Protect nature or else next Kumbh will be on mere sand, not river: Faith leaders at Maha Kumbh

Prayagraj: With India’s average temperature witnessing an unprecedented rise, faith leaders at Maha Kumbh on Sunday underscored an urgent need to protect nature or else “there may not be any Ganga or Yamuna left by the time next Maha Kumbh happens”.

As per a declaration adopted in the first ever climate conference at Kumbh, the Uttar Pradesh government would fund religious centres to reach out to people on protecting nature, besides turning the sacred places green by adopting renewable energy and better waste management practices and conserving rivers and forest.

“Carbon dioxide emissions are causing climate change, which in turn is drying up the rivers, the lifeline of Mother Earth. We are polluting the rivers for our own selfish interest,” said Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, inaugurating the conference.

Noting that over 52 crore Indians took a holy dip at the Sangam in the last 33 days, he said, “The preparations began a long time ago. We broadened our river channels, cleaned our rivers and greened our lands for pilgrims to arrive. At any time, 10,000-12,000 cusec water is present in Ganga.”

“Our forest department planted 210 crore plants over the last several years. The message from this holy Maha Kumbh is that we need to channel our faith to conserve our environment,” the Chief Minister said.

Environmentalists and religious leaders have been brought on the same platform for the first time at Kumbh with experts noting that climate change should not be seen only as a “techno-economic issue” but a social issue requiring people’s participation and “religious leaders can reach out to a large number of people".

The religious leaders flagged the importance of saving the rivers. “If we go on like this, we will neither have Ganga nor Yamuna by the next Maha Kumbh. It isn’t just water, it's Amrit. If there is no climate action, the next Kumbh will be on mere sand, not river,” said Swami Chidanand Saraswati, president, Paramarth Niketan.

Environmentalist Chandra Bhushan, who heads iFOREST, a Delhi-based think tank, said India’s average temperature rose by 1.5 degrees Celsius since 1857, which is a first in the past 100,000 years.

“Religion and faith hold immense power to influence society. Climate action cannot succeed unless it resonates culturally and emotionally with the masses. Unlike scientists or policy-makers, faith leaders know how to take a message to the people,” he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Singh said the government would provide funding to religious outfits of all faiths to make their sacred places green and hold more such conferences to spread awareness on protecting nature.

The actions to be taken include installing solar panels, implementing rainwater harvesting systems, recycling waste, banning single-use plastics, and creating green zones around sacred spaces.

Also, faith-based outfits will be funded to promote environmental and climate education, campaigns, and actionable practices. Initiatives like eco-friendly pilgrimages, green festivals, and sustainable temple management can reduce the carbon footprint of religious practices.

“Bhakti (faith) and Prakriti (nature) must go together to make the environment safe and secure,” said Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth.

“The health of our future is related to the future of nature. If sant (faith leaders), samaj (society) and sarkar (government) join hand, we can find a solution” added Swami Chidanand Saraswati,