# President Murmu calls for community-led climate action with traditional knowledge

2026-09-20T18:12:25+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday called for a well-structured policy framework to tackle climate change, stressing the active role of governments, legal experts and affected communities. Speaking at the National Green Tribunal's two-day international conference in New Delhi, she said climate change is causing biodiversity loss, water stress and land degradation, and has serious repercussions on food security, health and livelihoods. She urged special sensitivity for rural and forest-dwelling communities, small farmers, women and other vulnerable groups. Murmu highlighted the need for people-centred adaptation approaches rooted in traditional knowledge, describing sustainable afforestation as restoring self-sustaining ecosystems. She said developing countries must pursue climate action consistent with their development needs and economic aspirations. Union minister Manohar Lal noted India achieved its 50% non-fossil capacity target five years early. NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava said climate action must be inclusive, equitable and attentive to future generations.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All three outlets report President Murmu's speech at the NGT conference as straight news, leading with her call for a policy framework that includes vulnerable communities and traditional knowledge. New Indian Express gives the most detail, including her personal anecdote about her father and the Earth, while Times of India and Hindustan Times add remarks from Union minister Manohar Lal and NGT chairperson Justice Shrivastava. The coverage is uniform wire-style reporting with no discernible slant, the stances are identical. The substantial news is the institutional endorsement of community-led adaptation as official policy. The conference produced action plans, watch for NGT's follow-up framework integrating traditional knowledge into legal and policy instruments.

## Coverage

- newindianexpress.com (neutral report) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Sep/20/president-murmu-calls-for-community-led-climate-action-rooted-in-traditional-knowledge>
  Straight news report leading with policy framework and vulnerable communities
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/robust-policy-framework-for-climate-change-says-president/articleshow/134371901.cms>
  Wire-style report adding minister remarks, no slant
- hindustantimes.com (neutral report) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tackling-climate-change-require-well-structured-policies-action-prez-murmu-101789931729422.html>
  Neutral coverage with PM Modi context from day one

Tags: climate change, Droupadi Murmu, Mission LiFE, National Green Tribunal, New Delhi
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