Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, Chairperson - National Green Tribunal, released a booklet highlighting crucial green judgments

Chandigarh, August 19, 2023: Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, Chairperson, National Green Tribunal (NGT), released a pictorial booklet, 'Green Verdict2022' in an online event jointly being organized by the Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh.
 

During the release event, Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, Chairperson National Green Tribunal, highlighted the importance of a clean environment to ensurehuman and ecosystem well-being. Justice Singh stressed that we must adopt sustainable approaches to protect and conserve the natural environment as anthropogenic activities are alarmingly polluting and destroying natural resources. Justice Singh highlighted the significance of various conservation acts focusing on air, soil, water, or emerging threat like plastic pollution and climate change to ensure a sustainable future for all, including the future generation. He mentioned that bringing the crucial National Green Tribunal decision in commoner languages will empower the citizens and enhance access to justice.
 

In a written foreword, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Former Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal, stated that the apex adjudicatory body aims to ensure harmony between development and environmental protection to promote sustainable development. Justice Goel added that an in-depth appraisal of the latest rulings of the NGT guides to effectively address the emerging environmental challenges having the 'one earth' concept at the core.
 

The Green Verdict booklet covers critical recent judgmentson rejuvenating the river Ganga, illegal groundwater extraction, industrial pollution, microplastics in human blood, solid and liquid waste management, wildlife conservation, environmental compensation, etc. Further, attention has also been elaborated on issues such as the establishment of illegal commercial sites near the wildlife reserve, the adverse impact of tourism on the Himalayas, and indoor air pollution.
 

This booklet has been compiled and designed by Dr.SumanMor, Associate Professor, Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, and Dr.RavindraKhaiwal, Professor, Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh.
 

Prof.Khaiwal highlighted that the Indian constitution emphasizes the citizen's duty to protect the environment. He added that we need to adopt our lifestyle to foster environmental sustainability, as highlighted in the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Mission. Prof.Mor mentioned that this booklet is crucial in safeguarding the public's environment and health by addressing environmental disagreements, ensuring compliance with regulations, and promoting sustainable practices. She also mentioned that this booklet will serve as an essential source of information for all stakeholders interested in environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources.

 
The authors mentioned that this pictorial booklet is a part of the 'Community Environmental Empowerment Program- CEEP' project initiated under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India. The CEEP is a citizen-focused community mobilization program to promote sustainable practices for better health and the environment.
 

The authors specifically acknowledged the support from Prof.Renu Vig, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University and Prof.Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, Chandigarh.