Sarnath, Varanasi, UP, India, 14 January 2009 (TNN) - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama exhorted people to protect and conserve the environment for healthy life. He also suggested people to follow the spiritual ways for healthy living.

Addressing the gathering of devotees and Buddhist monks at the central institute of higher Tibetan studies (CIHTS), Sarnath, on Wednesday, the Dalai Lama expressed his concern over environment degeneration and said that the uncontrolled material development and exploitation of nature was causing tremendous harm to the environment, particularly the Himalayan environment. "If things remain the same, the ancients rivers will go dry in near future," he said and made an appeal not to use plastic.

Highlighting the importance of healthy living, the Dalai Lama said that people should give attention to their health. Despite the advances in medical sciences diseases like AIDS were posing threat to human life, he said adding that the self-awareness was essential for the protection of health and environment. Lord Buddha in Vinay Pittak had given special emphasis on protection of trees for environment conservation, he said.

Chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh Dorjee Khandu along with others prayed for the long life of the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama also released 14 new publications of CIHTS on the occasion.