Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commending Pope for his powerful stand on environmental issues, said that to effectively curb environmental degradation and save the planet, religions of the world had to come together to form a joint global strategy. Zed urged Pope (his being the religious leader with largest following) to organize a world level environmental summit involving all world religions.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that religion was the most powerful and far-reaching force in our society and could prove very influential in handling concerns like ecological responsibility. Faiths coming out together in support of the environment would be a remarkable signal; he said and urged all world religious leaders, religions and denominations to openly bless the environmental causes. Ancient Hindu scriptures, especially Atharva-Veda, were highly respectful of Mother Nature, Zed added.

Pope Benedict heads the Roman Catholic Church, which is the largest of the Christian denominations. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.