Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, called for industrial growth that does not come at the cost of ecological resources, asserting that development and environmental protection are complementary — not competing — priorities. He made these remarks while addressing the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 in Gandhinagar.

Key Message at WCEF 2026

Speaking to an international audience at the four-day forum, CM Patel framed the core challenge as achieving economic expansion while utilising natural resources efficiently and responsibly. 'Development and environment are not contradictory. We need growth as well as greenery, industry as well as ecology, prosperity as well as sustainability,' he said.

He highlighted Gujarat's track record in maintaining this balance through efforts spanning industrial development, renewable energy, waste and water management, and resource efficiency. The forum, he noted, offered the state a platform to share its experience globally while drawing lessons from international best practices.

Somnath Temple as a Circular Economy Model

In a notable illustration, CM Patel cited the Somnath Temple as a working example of circular economy principles in an institutional and religious context. He explained that offerings made by devotees — including flowers, bel patra, milk, water, panchamrit, and clothes — are processed rather than simply discarded.

The sacred liquid produced during the temple's abhishek ritual is scientifically purified and made available as 'Som-Ganga Jal', while organic waste including flowers, bel patra, and food waste is converted into manure. 'Plastic waste is used to make paver blocks, with women from local Sakhi Mandals trained and involved in the activity,' he noted.

Waste to Wealth and Rural Livelihoods

The Chief Minister argued that such practices demonstrate how converting waste into resources carries both economic and environmental dividends. He emphasised that the 'Waste to Wealth' approach could support rural livelihoods and inject greater momentum into the rural economy.

He further linked the circular economy to India's traditional ethos of reuse and recycling, arguing that these principles — long embedded in everyday life — could now be amplified through modern technology, policy frameworks, and industrial systems.

Call for Practical Global Solutions

CM Patel urged the forum to move beyond dialogue and generate actionable solutions applicable across nations, expressing confidence that the deliberations would contribute to global welfare. He invoked the principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' — the world as one family — as the philosophical foundation for international cooperation on circularity. He also noted that the circular economy could play a significant role in strengthening energy security as countries navigate shifting global conditions.