The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, today called for a ‘collective action’ from the people, as well as permissive policies, to reduce the impact of climate change. “In order to achieve a global warming of 1.5 ° C, we must aim for both large-scale system changes and low-level lifestyle choices. We need a human rights organization, ”hesaid.Asking for in-depth consideration and bold steps to reduce the reality of the worst incidents and to reduce biodiversity, Shri Naidu said “it is not only the government’s job to deliberately do this, but it is the duty of every citizen and people on earth to save this planet”.
Vice President inaugurating conference
The Vice President was inaugurating the International Conference on Biodiversity and Environmental Law at Chandigarh University, in Mohali. Speaking at the conference, Shri Naidu stressed that India has been leading the world in terms of climate change. He reiterated India’s commitment to achieving the country’s goals outlined by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the recent COP26 Conference in Glasgow.
Referring to the way in which Indian culture has always respected and worshiped the environment, Shri Naidu said India had incorporated the principles of environmental protection in the Constitution and passed many related laws “even before natural language growth flourished in developed countries”. “This spirit strongly influences our ancient values which view human existence as part of nature and not as an abstract,” he added.
Commending India’s top judge for supporting environmental justice over the years, he suggested that “lower courts should also respect the ecocentric ideology and preserve the best interests of the local people and the diversity of nature in their judgments”. He called for strong action against those who violated the pollution laws and the strict implementation of the ‘Pollution Must Pay’ principle.
In addition, the vice President emphasized the need for honest law enforcement, arguing that “passing laws alone is not enough, strong action against perpetrators is equally important”. He proposed to empower the Pollution Control Boards and local community organizations with resources, technical expertise and punitive power to effectively implement environmental laws. Noting that the Constitution empowers Gram Panchayats on issues of water management, soil conservation and forestry, he called for better funding for this purpose. “The effective functioning of grassroots structures is critical to addressing today’s and future climate challenges,” he said.
Shri Naidu recalled that in earlier times, villagers gathered together to protect nearby forests and to repair lakes and canals. “What we need today is a change in people’s thinking. Unless the conservation of the environment becomes a human society, our future is bleak ”, he stressed.
Highlighting the contributions of the National Green Tribunal, Shri Naidu noted that due to the growing need for environmental hearings, there is an urgent need for the training of additional legal staff in environmental law. In this regard, the Deputy President called for the poor to be informed of their rights and bring environmental justice closer to the poor. He suggested that special natural benches be built in various parts of the country, if necessary.
Emphasizing the need to curb the harmful practice of environmental abuse, Shri Naidu urged lawmakers to consider the situation and make laws that maintain a balance between ‘environment and economy’.
The vice President also suggested that even from an early age, students should be aware of carbon and the nature of their choice of lifestyle. “Parents and teachers must teach children to take care of their environment — the plants and animals around them — as they take care of the environment,” he advised.
Emphasizing the importance of international conferences, Shri Naidu said “we must learn from each other around the world and embrace the best practices from all over the world”. He thanked Chandigarh University for its initiative and hopes the conference will open a new chapter in the country’s environmental protection.
Shri BanwarilalPurohit, Honorable Governor of Punjab, Justice Surya Kant, Judge, Supreme Court of India, Justice BhushanRamkrishnaGavai, Judge, Supreme Court of India, Justice Antonio Herman Benjamin, Judge, Brazil’s Supreme Court (STJ), Justice Shri Mohammad Rafiq, Chief Justice, High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator of India, Justice Swatanter Kumar (Ret.), Forever Judge, Supreme Court of India, Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chandigarh University Chancellor and other dignitaries were present during the event.
