Mumbai: Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav on Tuesday launched ‘Meri Maati, Meri Thali’, a new initiative aimed at promoting traditional food practices and nutrition security, at the Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV) in Palghar — a district with a significant tribal population. The programme, developed by ISKCON and currently being piloted in Palghar, encourages the consumption of native, seasonal foods and aims to raise awareness around regional agricultural practices. While acknowledging the ecological motivations behind the initiative, Yadav described it as a civil society effort led by ISKCON. The Union minister also toured the facility, which includes wastewater recycling, organic farming, and other low-impact practices. Gauranga Das, Director of GEV, described the initiative as part of a larger effort to address the environmental impact of industrial food systems.