New Delhi : Noted author Ruskin Bond was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Times Lit Fest here on Saturday for his outstanding contribution in the field of literature.

Bond, moments after receiving the award, reminded his young readers of climate change in the course of conversation with writer Paro Anand.

“Nature has been really kind to me. So I think I can give back to the nature by celebrating it. I am not an activist, but I can celebrate it in my writings,” the author said as he took a pause to think.

“For the sake of our children and grand children, we should try and save the planet,” he said.

Bond was speaking to a packed house, comprising of young school children and elderly, at India Habitat Centre here.

“I am not a pessimist so I will not say that life will end in 50 years. I am an optimist so I will say that life may end in 150 years,” said an emotional Bond, whose writings reflect his close proximity to the nature.

“It has always been my observation that I have written better when I am in the lap of the nature. People have been my stories, animals have been my stories and when I run out of people and animals, I make stories out of ghosts. But there is an element of nature all through.”

He advised his young readers to become “one’s own best friend” and read as many books as possible.

“Reading books has sustained me right from a young boy to this age. It has always made me feel that life is beautiful,” he said.

Bond also responded to questions from young readers and shared his answers on diverse issues, ranging from the current state of children’s literature in the country to the number of times he has fallen in love at first sight, second sight or at hindsight, for that matter.