Need to control climate change to prevent mass rural migration: Narayana Murthy

Speaking at the Sustainability Crusade award ceremony organised by the J P Shroff Foundation, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy on Friday highlighted the risk of climate change-induced migration within India, warning that it could exacerbate urban pressures in cities like Pune and Bangalore.

Murthy referenced projections that suggest India will face dire consequences if it fails to control climate change. “And what is likely to happen is that there will be a mass migration from rural parts of states… into habitable places like Bangalore, maybe Pune, maybe Hyderabad, etc.,” he said.

Murthy stressed on the need for collaboration among politicians, bureaucrats, and corporate leaders to prevent such scenarios, while also citing innovations in battery technologies and Infosys’s leadership in sustainability. He said that despite India’s traditionally slow initial response to challenges, he was optimistic about the nation achieving its 2030 targets.

The event also recognised the contributions of veteran environmentalist Madhav Gadgil and young entrepreneur Alok Kale. Attendees included notable figures such as eminent scientist Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, chairman of Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (MCCIA) Electronic Cluster Foundation Pradeep Bhargava, and senior industrialist Jamshyd Godrej.

In a conversation with Ganesh Natarajan, founder of 5F World, Murthy addressed the challenges posed by climate change. He stressed that parts of India and Africa could be severely affected by rising temperatures.

Explaining his mention of specific cities, Murthy added, “These cities have become extremely challenging to live in, difficult to navigate, and have witnessed rising pollution levels. They are heading toward becoming unlivable. Therefore, the industrial sector, along with policymakers, must take steps to mitigate the effects of climate change and prevent future large-scale migration,” he said.

Murthy also highlighted the need for today’s youth to sacrifice luxurious living. He said, “The young generation must work with a sense of responsibility toward the nation and society. We must care for the underprivileged sections of society, or else we are no better than animals. Becoming a responsible citizen and working toward the country’s betterment is true nationalism. Merely wrapping oneself in the national flag does not make one a true nationalist,” he said.